All films written and directed by Tetra Halt. We Dream Concrete co-written with like 20 people. Restructure co-written with Dawn Chthonic.
genre: cave flick
description: Comments on the political and social landscape of the 2130s UNAT through abstract imagery, short vignettes, and surreal dream sequences. The film was a collaboration between all the film students at Tetra’s university. & makes their screen debut here, portraying a goddess in one of the dream sequences.
reception: It was seen by few people until Joey Lakomy shouted it out. Reception was positive. It was cited as an essential, innovative work in the emerging cave flick genre.
Tetra's thoughts: She’s very fond of this film, but resents how often it is attributed solely to her, because it was a joint project where everyone had some degree of creative control. She doesn't like seeing the contributions of her classmates erased so people can praise her for things she didn’t do.
genre: cave flick
description: A woman attempts to measure an endless tunnel and, in the process, figure out why she is being imprisoned in it.
reception: Good at the time, but these days it's considered one of her lesser films.
Tetra's thoughts:This film bothers Tetra, because every time she thinks about it she thinks of something else she could have done differently to make it better. She’s okay with how it turned out, but she thinks the ideas behind it could have made something really special but instead just made something decent. Filming and production were really frustrating to her and a lot of changes had to be made for practicality’s sake.
genre: cave flick, psychological drama, romance
description: A bizarre nocturnal love story involving a gown, a band, some insects, and some ballroom dancing.
reception: Much better than expected. Its nomination for Best Film at the Technic Awards was a huge surprise, considering Tetra wasn’t well known yet and was only 26 at the time. Although it didn’t win, the nomination brought the film, and Tetra’s directing, much more attention and praise.
Tetra's thoughts: She likes it. She thinks it turned out good.
genre: cave flick
description: A group of mineralogists retreat into a cave system, where they form an ominous religion that, centuries later, becomes the basis of an entire underground society.
reception: Very positive. Highly praised by many Terrafilm Underground fans. In time, it would go on to be considered a classic cave flick. It won an award at a local film festival, although not a prestigious one, shortly after being shown there.
Tetra's thoughts: She’s really proud of it. She believes it’s her second best work, after its follow-up.
genre: cave flick, structural horror
description: Five explorers lose themselves and each other while investigating the properties of a strange noneuclidean building known as Mall 56, where time seems meaningless and the only way through is to buy. Spoiler: The mall is a living instrument of psychological torture whose motives are beyond all comprehension. Aesthetically inspired by certain 21st century internet movements which had long since faded into obscurity by the time of its release.
reception: This immersive, nightmarish four-hour epic was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Technics and becoming the most talked-about movie of the year, maybe even the decade. It's the reason everyone knows Tetra's name now.
Tetra's thoughts: She agrees with the critics that it’s pretty damn awesome.
genre: cave flick, absurdist comedy
description: Very short comedic film about industrial progress as seen through the eyes of a three-thousand-year-old man.
reception: Reviews were middling. It was only an hour long and far less serious than anything Tetra directed previously, with the particular brand of history-based absurdist comedy not working for everyone. However, the film has its fair share of fans.
Tetra's thoughts: After the intensely stressful (yet rewarding) production of Restructure, Tetra intended to take a break from directing, but was unable to keep herself away. With this film, she wanted to try something different and less stressful. It had a short and relatively easy production. The final product is quite funny to Tetra, but she understands why it disappointed some of her fans and critics.
genre: period drama, music, coming-of-age, queer cinema
description: A story about two transgender teenage singers who meet and come to terms with their identities at a summer music academy in the B-timeline 2010s. More of a character study than most of Tetra’s films. Still very atmospheric with a signature Tetra Halt setting; it’s also a setting character study of that era of the B-timeline, and the complexities of gender as it was in those days.
reception: Pretty positive. People called it a quiet, sweet movie, with a lot to say, but a lot of subtlety in saying it. The characterization of the two leads earned praise, as did the music. The historical accuracy of the setting received some criticism and some cave flick fans disliked it for not being cave flick-y enough, but overall it was well-received. It was nominated, then snubbed, for a few Technics.
Tetra's thoughts: She wanted to branch out (again, in a different direction) in terms of genre, and feels like she succeeded here. It was a passion project and she’s proud of it.