Emilija Škarnulytė’s short film, Sirenomelia, depicts a mermaid exploring an abandoned NATO base in the Arctic Ocean. I found the cinematography of the film particularly interesting. The mirrored imaging at the beginning may symbolize shifting perspectives— introducing the audience to the mermaid’s world. In fact, Škarnulytė shifts perspectives throughout the entire film, juxtaposing the barren landscape of the Arctic with the dark and eerie underwater world. That said, the film shows that this landscape is not as barren as it seems by showing a mermaid discovering the forgotten base. In the past few weeks, we have challenged the idea of the ocean as a barren landscape. Škarnulytė’s focus on shifting perspectives emphasizes the idea that the natural world is interconnected. The images blur the boundaries between life on land and the aquatic world.

The decision to have a mermaid— a creature that is half fish and half human— exploring this area also highlights the interconnectedness of our world. Through the mermaid’s perspective, the audience is able to see the impact of human activity on our environment. The scenes of the mermaid swimming around the base are haunting. The water is brown, there’s machinery haphazardly around, and concrete separates the water on the base from the rest of the ocean. These scenes provide a commentary on the effects of human exploitation and the disregard for nature. Škarnulytė confronts the audience with the consequences of our actions, reminding viewers of our interconnectedness with the environment and urging humans to make an effort to protect it.