Cardboard Box
2025
By This Cruel Temple
(Hannah Kate Absalom, Em Doodles, Meej Douglas, & Hollie Palmer)
'Cardboard Box' is a new video work by the artist collective This Cruel Temple, premiering at METAHORROR 2025. The script was first introduced to the group by Em Doodles in 2022; made up of nonsensical notes he collected from an unknown figure years prior, the text forms an unintentional, absurd narrative and is performed in the format of a soap opera. Meaninglessness encourages a ritualistic, self-created myth, with lo-fi production and tangible media creating nostalgia and comedy despite the resentful, uncanny performances.
2025
By This Cruel Temple
(Hannah Kate Absalom, Em Doodles, Meej Douglas, & Hollie Palmer)
A This Cruel Temple Film
Written by Unknown
Screenplay by Em Doodles
Directed by This Cruel Temple
Produced by This Cruel Temple
Starring:
Hannah Kate Absalom as Daisy, Thingle Sister 1, Pope Innocent V, Film Noir Woman, and Dentist 2
Em Doodles as Gert, Thingle Sister 3, Film Noir Woman, Em Bristow, and The Devill
Meej Douglas as Bert, Thingle Sister 2, Sherlock, Pete Emporium, and Dentist 1
Hollie Palmer as Marr, Thingle Sister 4, Unamed Top of The Pops presenter, Miss Hudson, and Julie
Filmed by This Cruel Temple
Music by Em Doodles
Edited by Meej Douglas
Filmed at Five Years Gallery, Archway
Special thanks to Marc Hulson and Kristaps Ancāns
Dedicated to David Lynch (1946 - 2025)