The Herbert Bail Orchestra, "The Future's in the Past." Director: Björn Rühmann
Furlined director Björn Rühmann has released the second installment of his short films for Los Angeles-based indie folk band The Herbert Bail Orchestra, for their haunting track, “The Future’s in the Past.” The cinematic piece highlights themes of isolation and loneliness and draws upon the undertones of regret in the song, which offers a snapshot of intersecting lives that skim past each other in rural American life.
The emotional short film opens with band members discovering wreckage of an abandoned car, triggering a series of close encounters linked by tragic destiny. A woman limps away from the crash seeking aide from a nearby home. Mistaken for an intruder, she sparks a man’s fear and haste, resulting in a catastrophic exchange that cannot be reversed.
“It’s about how humanity has universally become more withdrawn and lonely,” notes Rühmann. “We wanted to explore the distinct tragedy of being left with yourself in the wake of avoidable trauma caused by a lack of genuine interpersonal connection.”
Rühmann abandons the traditional music video format, taking the time to explore the narrative before weaving in the music to amplify the emotional crescendo of the characters.
“We want to make cinema for the ears,” says The Herbert Bail Orchestra frontman Anthony Frattolillo. “Our idea is that every song is a journey and has a story behind it.”
