FALLEN ANGEL - A Star Wars Short Film [4K]

Many years after the battle of Mustafar left him scarred and broken. Anakin Skywalker visits the resting place of his wife, Padme Amidala.

Directors Notes:
This short was created for the Star Wars short film competition, run by Cinematic Captures, for the Animated Film category.

I'm very proud of the work that went into this from everyone on the team, especially considering the quick turnaround time (approx 2 months) to create this outsie of other daily commitments. There's a few things i'd love to fix like the helmet not being quite right plus some additional work on the head models for Anakin. But all things considered it came far better than I hoped. I hope you enjoy this short.

- Alex
__________________
Credits:

Project Directors:

Unreal Engine Cinematics:
AlexS189

Animation and Tech Animation:
AlexS189
James Duncan

Music:

Audio & Foley:

Additional Credits:
Star Wars Assets - EA/DICE Star Wars Battlefront II
Head Assets - Metahuman
Additional Textures - Quixel Megascans

Additional Star Wars Audio for Mixing:
EA/DICE Star Wars Battlefront I & II,
Lucasarts Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Inspired by this artwork from Ludovic Bourgeois:

Additional Unreal Engine Marketplace Content Used:
Ultra Dynamic Sky
Niagara Realistic Starter VFX
Water Planes

[fanunion]

I love the absolute horror on the rebel's face when he hears the breathing. It's like he realizes he's already dead.

[sandygames]

This is awesome! I like how Vader didn't immediately turn around. It's like he was hoping the rebels would just go away, not because they pose any threat to him of course, but because he just wanted this moment with his wife.

[historyofthemortals]

Moral of the story : Don't ever try to disturb Darth Vader especially within Padme's tomb, you will just enrage a broken man with almost nothing to lose.

[jsn]

If anyone was wondering what the Aurebesh was on Padmé’s sarcophagus, it reads:
Here Lies
Her Royal Highness
Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo
💔

[scorpio]

Only three minutes long but still better than Disney's sequel trilogy.

[elisstufff]

“It just goes to show that the person you thought was the villain is really the victim”

“Everyone always thought of him as this big evil guy who had no heart but really he was a guy who lost everything”
-George Lucas

[Omjibaa]

I like how when the rebels intrude on Vader, the light creeps away from his face, signifying that Anakin has been pushed back into Vader’s soul.

[mosesmm]

The emotion in this scene is real!! One of the few moments where Darth Vader lets himself feel again, and as soon as it starts it ends with the arrival of Rebel troops. Once more, he throws himself into his rage and once more, he slaughters in the presence of his beloved, throwing away one of the few remaining pieces of the man she loved.

[matthewmorgan]

As kids, we loved the hero
As adults, we understand the villain

[pjd]

Did anyone notice that his chest plate, one of his buttons was illuminating red. But then, the bottom button turned blue right before he walked into Padme's tomb. Subtle, yet so to the point for that brief moment of being "turned" back into the light.

[XiliGaming]

It is beyond me how a small team of amateurs can capture Star Wars so much better in only 3 mins, than Disney ever could in 3 sequels. Well done.

[jeremieplourde]

1:09 the way his cries are choked out into a faint wheezing because of his old burns. It shows Anakin at his most vulnerable.

[alanpena]

Love how the weather responds to Vader’s anger.

[danielclark]

Excellent job, Alex! I love how the title has a double meaning:
"Fallen Angel" could refer to either Anakin, who was once a warrior for The Light Side, and/or to the deceased Padme ("Are you an Angel?").

[morgancoppin]

Don't forget that Vader is literally at the risk of dying in only a few minutes due to how damaged his lungs, he needs his mask to live and he took it off only for padme, he would still risk his life for her, this is how you know anakin never died, he was just forced to hide behind a mask

[adamharo]

For a few moments, you can sense Anakin mourning for his lost love, than hatred once again consumes his heart. It’s tragic, yet beautiful

[OveranalyzingStarWars]

In my own head cannon I like to think that these rebels saw him without the mask and wondered why someone would be here, then seeing him turn around mask on, he puts the pieces together that this is not only Vader but Anakin too. This is beautiful

[broly]

I feel like if Padme and Shmi Skywalker could see what was going on from the would be heartbroken, horrified and crying at seeing what Anakin had

[chanceaskew]

Can we just talk about how much Anakin loved this woman? The amount of heartbreak I feel in this character, I can't fit it into a comment section. An essay or speech yes, but the beauty that is the brokenness of Vader is awe-inspiring.

[carmensandiego]

I feel so horrible for him.


A piece of Anakin coming out of Vader when he visited his wife’s grave.


I’ll never be able to live this down I feel like Padme was everything to Anakin.


Those rebels shouldn’t have interrupted his moment of silence.