Down Down the Deep River

This dramatic short written and directed by musician Will Sheff—lead singer for the band Okkervil River—was inspired by Sheff's titular song, and was filmed in the rural New Hampshire town where he grew up. With no dialogue (only ambient voices and music on the soundtrack), Down Down the Deep River is an impressionistic work about the kinship between two lonely sixth-grade boys who share a deep curiosity about nature, science fiction, books, photography, and more. Sheff captures that brief period in more fortunate kids' lives when the world seems ripe for exploration and imagination (essentially, this is 1980s Steven Spielberg territory—E.T. and The Goonies). But the good times don't last forever, so the film is also about disappointment and loss, and the search for something larger to believe in than one's own victories and defeats. Extras include audio commentary by Sheff and cinematographer Johnny North, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, music videos, and a read-along adventure book. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)