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Must Watch: Amazing Sci-Fi Short 'R´ha' Introduces Aliens vs Machine

by Alex Billington
January 11, 2013
Source: Vimeo

"Initializing Motivation Protocol." Whoa. We've featured many weird and fascinating sci-fi shorts over the years, but nothing like this. Since debuting a few days ago, I've received numerous emails alerting me to this "amazing" new short titled R´ha, written & directed & created by 22-year-old Kaleb Lechowski. Part of the reason it's so brilliant is it has nothing to do with humans. It's about an alien being interrogated, dare I say ~~tortured~~ motivated by a robot trying to acquire coordinates. It's chilling, but impressively well-made and plays like a great opener to a full feature film. No question Hollywood will be interested. Get it while it's hot!

"You are nothing!" Thanks to Ronny for the tip, hosted on Vimeo. R´ha is an animated science-fiction short movie created by Kaleb Lechowski during the first year of his studies. The only synopsis there is for this short: "A member of an alien race is being interrogated and tortured by a machine." All the work was done by Lechowski, except for the sound, by Hartmut Zeller, and the voice acting, by Dave Masterson. I love all the unique, original touches in this, it feels fresh though inspired by so much great sci-fi of the past. For more on the R´ha project or Lechowski, visit his Tumblr blog or their Facebook page. What do you think?

Filed under SciFi, Short Film, To Watch

From around the web:

hg

an alien with a cobra head will thats different
- armeetapus16
  
  I love it and hate it at the same time, because I drew an alien that pretty much looked exactly like this back in high school for friend who wanted some concept art for an alien race he called "Serpents". Thought it was pretty original at the time, but now it seems I'm not the only one, oh well.
Tester

The Matrix meets BattleStar Galactica... pretty cool
http://twitter.com/incarnedine_v Dan Hibiki

Quick, go back in time and save the alien Connors!
- Baron the Curse
  
  I was just thinking that. The plot just rip-offs Terminator but it happens to aliens... what a twist!!
axalon

Very cool and very well made. Congratulations to Kaleb. Just one question: why are the machine and the alien speaking english to each other?
- buzzer
  
  Becus this is 'MURICA
- armeetapus16
  
  *adjusts nerd glasses and speaks in a nerdy lisp* "well they are speaking in an alien language, but obviously they had to translate it so that it would be easier for us to understand" or they just wanted to show off the cool voice modulators
yeah

Machine reminds me of game Portal, don't know why but I'm sure it does.
yeah

Alien seems to be Human as Machines are Machines the best part is - of deceiving the Alien and let him fly their own Space Jet. Nice try could have done better.
- 311
  
  you try
- Thexn
  
  Righto! We'll just sit here patiently while you toddle off and film your version of this. Feel free to post a link once you're done and we'll head on over to check out your much better version. Go on now, off with you!
Cameron Lee

WOW!! Freaking Amazing...hopefully Hollywood is paying attention to these short films. Beats the hello out of the crap that comes out straight to DVD and Netflix hosts now a days
$6296288

that looks awesome - the alien looks badass.
http://www.facebook.com/Lincolnasmith Lincoln Smith

'R'ha'?? Ancient Aliens...so overdone. Looked beautiful if a bit stiff... Obviously this takes a ton of work, but the writing is utter junk. Ever Sally Dick and Tom thinks that if they make a snazzy vfx short they'll get optioned....but this is just silly. Plays out like a videogame cutscene from mid 2000's.
- Anonymous
  
  I totally agree with you on this one lincoln. Such poor quality and so unoriginal. and that writing, blah! You know i think he did steal it from a video game! On the other hand Your short film is clearly more professional in every way. Your seriously a genius dude! I mean the graphics, and writing and originality in your film clearly far surpasses this poor excuse for a short film. What was yours called again Lincoln? ARGO FUCK YOURSELF!
  - Linkfx
    
    It's definitely better and more polished than anything I've ever done, as a student, Mr. Anonymous, but thanks for trying to tear me down, that really makes you look like an adult.
  - Linkfx
    
    and I never said it was poor quality. I said it was beautiful, which is a pretty great compliment, I think.
- ANONYMOUS
  
  how does it feel to be THAT guy? your a hater and will accomplish nothing in life. Power to this young film maker who is actually creating something and not sitting at home wishing he was half way attractive enough to get his dick wet and somewhat creative enough to stop breaking other people down to make himself feel better and maybe create something for himself. ARGO FUCKYOURSELF
  - wafffles
    
    Everyone knows the best way to disagree with someone's opinion is to insult every facet of their life, culminating in an unwarranted expletive. I suppose you've never criticized a movie before? I suppose every motion picture you've ever seen was absolutely flawless in every way? I suppose, if there ever comes a project which you feel imperfect in any way, you will feel obligated to forget such heretic thoughts and proclaim it absolutely amazing nonetheless? Critiques highlight areas where filmmakers can improve, because no art in history has ever been created without a single aspect even remotely lacking. He made valid points which numerous people have agreed with, myself included - in fact, this looks exactly like it should be a promo for a Starcraft expansion or something. He also offered valid compliments where they were due: the visuals certainly were pretty, if a little rigid, and it's obvious that significant effort and hours of VFX work went into this. The only thing you could reasonably take offense with is his shot about everyone wanting to get optioned, and considering your unfocused rambling never mentioned that it seems you in fact didn't object to that particular line. And yes, I agree with you, too. Power to the young filmmaker. Kudos for going out, putting yourself in the crosshairs, opening yourself to criticism, and delivering a piece of art. That, however, is the whole point. Getting one's name out there, getting noticed, GETTING JUDGED, and coming back tomorrow with even better art. If filmmakers were never critiqued, if filmmakers were always accepted at face value the moment they arrived on the scene, then the men and women who became masters of their craft would have no reason to, and no guidance on how, to elevate their work past that of an ambitious novice. Yikes, now I've got to watch my back. I've got a feeling that anyone who cusses out a critic on behalf of a complete stranger will be inclined to do significantly worse to someone who disputes him directly. Just so you know, I'm not your hater, and I've had an accomplishment or two in my life. I've even given the world a few pieces of art over the years, and accepted the criticism with the praise. I'm not breaking you down to make myself feel better, I'm lifting you up to make YOU better. And it feels rather empowering to be THAT guy.
  - Linkfx
    
    ok dude no reason to get so overworked. I'm sorry if you made this and you find my criticism too biting. I'm not a hater but maybe I could be a bit softer next time, would you prefer that? I was merely pointing out that the writing was terrible, which anyone with a critical eye would notice. Was the 3d modeling great, yes, was the rendering fantastic, yes it was. Was the animation good, yeah I really liked it. I appreciated a lot about this little short as well as all the other shorts I view. Not everything should be lavished upon and given a gold medal, this isn't grade school. That being said, I also failed to notice that this was a first year project, which honestly changes my perspective on it a lot. It's a great achievement for Kaleb Lechowski and I actually respect him a lot as a fellow artist. I don't appreciate the hostile language or your general condescending tone. I'll have you know, it's pointless I know, that I'm a professional in the film & television industry and I happen to be very happy at doing what I'm doing, last year was my most profitable year ever working for myself and I hope everyone else, including you and Mr. Lechowski strives for greatness this next year. But I can tell you or anyone this, the most important thing as an artist, is to be happy with themselves, and understand criticism no matter how dumb sounding like my original one was, as something to build from. My reaction is just as valid as anyone else's however positive or negative, it is simply a reaction, completely up to you to consider or disregard. Nevertheless this film was entertaining, and sometimes that is enough and probably more words that I should have written at all considering your juvenile backlash.
AJ

It has been done over and over again. The machines turn agains humans or in this case aliens, big difference Reminded me of Matrix, iRobot and what not, the dialog was just weak. However it looked very good, at least the first part, after he gets free (the alien) it all looks like a video game. But great effort to make something like this! Looks like a lot of work, I just wish it was a bit more original...
Paul K.

Nice job, even though the "we'll let him escape and follow him" plot point can be seen from a mile away
http://www.facebook.com/max.alnutt Max Alnutt

it's nice to see the earth isnt the only race having problems with their computers.Nicely done! Bravo!
Lando

Jeez, its funny how work like this gets bashed yet CRAP like the Matrix and Avatar get god status. PROPS to this guy Kaleb, if this is just a sample of what he is capable of I am sure we will be hearing that name again. I never felt the point of this short was to show off what brilliant and original writing he can pull off in 5 minutes but to show his skill in animation and storytelling. Most of the clowns who diss in the name of critique have not one clue about choosing shots, pacing, angles, lighting, sound design etc, so really have no place to critique a process they know nothing about. "I could have done a better job" then please do so. Please and when you have done a better job show us what you mean, show something other than bullshit words and baseless opinions.. Thanks!
- Lewis Walker
  
  So let me get this straight... according to you only film directors are allowed to critic a film? Only fashion designers are allowed to decide whether or not they like an outfit? Only a chef can tell you if the food taste good? Im sure theres millions of people who dont know how to make a meal but can tell you when it tastes like ass... this short looked well made but honestly the story and writing sucked. I mean at the end of the day thats what films are supposed to do right? tell a story that connects with the audience... but i guess only directors are allowed to buy movie tickets where your from.
David Banner

Fucking amazing work
Jet

What a brilliant film maker! Awesome Sci-Fi Short film!°
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola

I quite like it, ropey dialogue, but liked all the machine stuff. Actually the design of the interrogator when it zoomed out was brilliant.
Thexn

It's a hell of a lot better than the stick-man flip book I made in school. Nicely done.
http://www.facebook.com/jeaux.thibodeaux Jeaux Thibodeaux

Well made the alien design was excellent. I don't understand the insistence in films on giving robots garbled voices though. especially in films set slightly in the future on earth (Though obviously this isn't earth) but the point is we have better technology now. I did like it though. The peace sign ships were a bit silly and not aerodynamic, also the second building crash needed a bit more polish.
Payne by name

Maybe those being so critical of this guys work could indicate what they consider to be the pinnacle of good sci fi/film making. We could then judge the validity of their comments by having a barometer of their opinion range.
Alex Wilson

Nice work, could be a fun movie if done right and not messed up by Hollyweird.
SciFiCisco

love it
A

Did you guys notice on the screen how everything was planned???? Intimidation, motivation, false information, release, and tracking? Everything was planned that's so genius! That robot is like GLados on steroids...
MS_POLAND

It was all cool but his... married! Bleh
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500052763 Jason Kirby

Nice!! Make the movie!!!
http://www.facebook.com/maxx.r.creese Maxx Ryan Creese

AWESOME(reminds me of what made the geth in masseffect)