Song Credits: The Dance of Death - Audiomachine
This set of end credits is inspired by my favorite movie “Midsommar”, directed by Ari Aster.
Traumatized and still struggling to come to terms with an appalling family tragedy, Dani turns to Christian, her self-centered and distant boyfriend, against the backdrop of their inevitable break-up. In high hopes of repairing their relationship, Dani tags along with two of Christian’s companions, and their cryptic friend, Pelle, to attend a once-every-ninety-years summer solstice festival at an isolated pagan commune nestled in the heart of the Swedish province of Hälsingland. What begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.
The end credits show the journey of Dani Ardor, how she overcomes her family trauma and burns her past to find a new beginning among the Hargans community.
STORYBOARD
FRAMES EXPLAINED
Frame 1 - The Plane Window
The beginning of Dani’s journey in finding her true self started when she leaves to for Sweden along with her boyfriend. Hence the Title animation starts with the plane window. The Geometric design is inspired from the triangular details embroidered on the Harga’s costume and painted in Barns.
Frame 2 - Sunrise
The sunrise shows the beginning of Midsommar - Where the Sun never sets.
Frame 3 - The Entrance
The Sun transform into a flower showing the entrance gate of to the Swedish Cult Community. The Movement of the Middle semicircle Depicts Breathing of Dani. In the Movie, the breathing of flower varies according to Dani’s Breathing. When she is anxious, the breathing becomes faster.
Frame 4 - The First Ceremony
In the next frame, the Flower Grows and get Captured inside a cage structure. The Structure is inspired from the motive drawn on the rock. It was the First ceremony that took place during the fest and also the mark the start of upcoming terrifying events. It also shows that Dani is trapped and is not able to be herself because of her toxic relation.
Frame 5 - Midsommar Dance
The Flower Breaks apart to in take place in concentric Circle. This represents the Dance that the girls of the Commune did around the Maypole. The petals disappears one by one which represents the ceremony where the last girl who stands dancing is crowned the May Queen.
Frame 6 - The Blood Drink
The Red Swirl symbolizes the drink that was offered to Dani’s Boyfriend Christian. According to the Commune tradition, the girl mixes her menstrual Blood in the drink and serve it to the man who she select to be her future partner. Christian accepts the drink and thus cheats on Dani.
Frame 7 - The May Queen Crown
The Swirl Transform Into the The May Queen Crown. While Christian was cheating on Dani, she was participating in the May queen event and end up getting crowned.
Frame 8 - Simon’s Eyes
While everyone was busy in crowning the May Queen, the villagers were preparing for the next ceremony. It involved sacrifice of Christian’s friends. In the above scene, Simon(one of the friend) was shown hanging from the ceiling with no eyes.
Frame 9 - The Cart
The flower transforms into wheels of the cart in which Dani was taken to sow the first seeds of the season while at the same time her boyfriend Christian was directed to the Mating ceremony of the Hargas.
Frame 10 - The Mating Ritual
The Cart zooms into the Mating Ritual when Christian submits himself to a ritualistic sexual ceremony with Maja, a girl who magicked him into falling in love with her.
Frame 11 - Dani’s Pain
The mating scene is also juxtaposed by Dani having a mental breakdown, surrounded by members of the commune who mimic her every wail and comfort her. The red Flower depicts Dani’s Pain which is comforted and shared by the girls of the commune.
Frame 12 - The May Pole
The Flowers transform Into the Maypole. It marks the beginning of the climax scene.
Frame 13 - The YELLOW TEMPLE
The final scene shows these nine sacrifices, including a paralysed but still living Christian, placed inside a designated temple that’s burnt down to purge evil from the cult. It Symbolizes Burning of Dani’s fear and pain and marking of a new beginning.
THANK YOU!
