Renee Zhan of Blinkink directs this timely film for the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Austria, to draw attention to relics of the past–oil boilers, gas and coal furnaces–that many Austrians have lurking in their basements.
Conceptualized by agency Jung Von Matt, the PSA introduces us to our young protagonist Tobias who is awakened at night by ominous sounds coming out of his house’s basement, a site that’s long been a place of physical and psychological darkness.
Titled “What’s that Lurking in the Basement? (Furnace),” this piece was brought to life through live-action puppetry, intricately designed sets, humor, metal music and offbeat characters. It marks the commercialmaking debut of Zhan who’s known for his short films.
Zhan said, “I loved the original idea for this project which felt like it could become a really unique and timely film. I was really excited by the idea of using humor, metal music and Tim Burton-esque characters to spread the message of efficient energy usage and climate protection.
“As my first advertising job, I felt incredibly lucky to have worked on something that was so in my wheelhouse and which fit perfectly with my own visual language. I really wanted to push the horror elements of the film, as a way to evoke the horror and real-life threat of climate change. The innocent boy asleep in his bed, creaky stairs, the spooky basement, and the color palette bring to mind classic horror films like The Sixth Sense and Poltergeist.”
