Conor Oberst Directs Invention 13
When you combine the introspective world of folk-rock songwriting with the visual language of cinema, the resulting blend can be utterly captivating. That is the creative alchemy at play in the debut film, Invention 13, a project co-directed by Conor Oberst and Shawn Foree that brings the restless spirit of Bright Eyes into a completely new medium.
The short film invites viewers into a peculiar journey: a frustrated pianist grappling with increasingly strange obstacles while attempting to master the notoriously intricate Inventions of Bach. It’s a visual meditation on the struggle for mastery, framed by the cold, windy reality of a sub-freezing night.
The making of Invention 13 was an exercise in raw, tactile filmmaking. Oberst and Foree spent four sub-freezing nights capturing the vision on Super 16mm film in Oberst’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. The process was a true communal effort, involving a dedicated 40-person crew and, surprisingly, three dogs who joined the creative chaos.
Set to screen at Hollywood’s historic Egyptian Theatre, the film promises a unique experience. It will premiere on September 26th at Los Angeles’ Beyond Fest, where it will be paired with Nobuhiko Obayashi’s classic 1977 Japanese horror film Hausu. This pairing promises a delightfully unexpected juxtaposition of artistic styles.
The cast is a compelling mix of talent, featuring Emory Cohen, newcomer Olivia Howard, and professional skater Nelly Morville. The emotional depth of the film is further enhanced by the voiceover provided by collaborator Phoebe Bridgers, while the accompanying score is crafted by Bright Eyes member Nate Walcott, lending the project a deeply personal dimension.
The film’s journey is not the only artistic detour on the horizon for Oberst and Bright Eyes. As the band celebrates the 21st anniversaries of their twin 2005 albums, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, they are also preparing for a series of live performances, including dates at Brooklyn Paramount in New York on January 11, 12, and 14. These events follow a planned fall U.S. tour, hitting stops like Riot Fest in Chicago and an Omaha finale on October 20th.
Adding to the ongoing creative momentum, Oberst has recently been recording new music in the French region of La Frette-sur-Seine, though he remains tight-lipped about whether the new work will ultimately emerge as a Bright Eyes album, a completely different sonic direction, or something entirely unforeseen.
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