INTERVIEW: Local Filmmaker Noah Manglapus Debuts New Short at Brookside Museum
10/30 @ Brookside Museum, Ballston Spa
Film stills provided
“Horror has always been really comforting for me as a genre.”
On October 30, the Brookside Museum, operated by the Saratoga County Historical Center, is hosting the screening of the short film, Her Self Inflicted Decapitation, by Ballston Spa-based filmmaker, Noah Manglapus. The film, shot entirely at the museum, explores the story of a writer who finds inspiration in the diary of a famous murderess, only for more sinister connections between the two to unfold. The event will feature a director introduction as well as a Q&A following the film.
Ever since Manglapus was a child, he had an avid interest in storytelling. While this initially took shape in the form of writing, it wasn’t long before he realized film would be more effective in helping get across his ideas. Seeing Rob Zombie’s Halloween remake when he was 16 years old jumpstarted this inspiration.
“I had really strong images I wanted to convey,” Manglapus said. “That’s what drew me to film — I could tell stories where I was also creating the images that I wanted people to be able to visualize.”
With his latest short, Manglapus highlights a key component of his filmmaking process: color. While he noted that framing composition is his first priority, he emphasized his use of color, saying that this short is meant to feel more like a fairy tale than a typical ‘ghost story.’ In his explanation he referenced dark blues in the moonlight and crimson reds used in certain scenes.
For Manglapus, the title of a film is very important. In the case of Her Self Inflicted Decapitation, the title ended up dictating to the filmmaker where the story would ultimately go. While he can’t recall how the title of this film came to him, he did note the imagery it immediately evoked.
“It’s such a striking thought,” Manglapus said.
On any given day, Manglapus passes by the Brookside Museum. Though the locale of this film was initially born out of convenience, it quickly felt right for the filmmaker. Writing to the museum’s administration, Manglapus soon found that all parties involved were quite enthusiastic about the process.
“It looked like such a cool, interesting old building, so the idea to make a film within that space was really intriguing,” Manglapus explained.
Sometimes the best way to process something is to immerse yourself in that environment. That has certainly been the case for Manglapus. Growing up, the artist often managed different forms of anxiety. Through the medium of film, Manglapus has been able to express these anxieties and fears, using it as a way to push through. In our interview, he mentioned being scared of many things as a kid.
“Despite how scared I would be of things, I love horrors,” Manglapus said. “It’s exposure therapy in a way … It’s a way to experience fear in a controlled environment.”
When listing his influences for this particular film, Manglapus cited such directors as Ari Aster, Wes Anderson and Tobe Hooper. Each of these filmmakers has a clearly defined style; it’s a requisite for anyone wanting to stand out in all the creative noise.
Though the young filmmaker began making films in high school, he compared a lot of the effort during that period of his life to ‘throwing things at a wall.’ It wasn’t until he attended SUNY Oswego — graduating in 2025 — that his craft really started to take shape. And, while his sensibilities are still developing, Manglapus’ style is beginning to emerge in his work.
“[T]he biggest things that keep coming back to my work are color and space,” Manglapus said. “I always want something that feels a little dirty, shaken and imperfect because then you know it’s a person.”
Other people involved with Her Self Inflicted Decapitation are Wells Liscomb as assistant director, Brian Maguda as cinematographer, Michael Gill as sound and lighting tech, Logan Dorman as lighting tech and Nate Barbour as producer. Rayne Polkowski is the lead actor, with Mallor Rae and Mark Wenderlich also acting in the film.
While Manglapus does want his audience to be disturbed, scared and enthralled by what they’re seeing, more than anything, he wants his work to evoke nostalgia and comfort in the familiarity.
“Horror has always been really comforting for me as a genre,” he said. “I want you to leave [the movie] feeling like that was an enjoyable experience.”
To learn more about the film screening, please click here.
