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Sleep Has Her House

Original Version: 2017  /  Revised Version: 2023
Producer / Director / Camera / Image / Sound / Editor
Scott Barley
︎ 90  ︎1.33:1  ︎2K
︎ iPhone 6+ 60p︎︎︎24p
︎ 5.1  
︎ Final Cut Pro
Synopsis

The shadows of screams climb beyond the hills. 
It has happened before. But this will be the last time.
The last few sense it, withdrawing deep into the forest.
They cry out into the black, as the shadows pass away, into the ground.

Through long static takes, the film develops a contemplative, hypnotic experience, akin to paintings that move, mixing live action, still photography, and hand-drawn images. 

The film is dedicated to the late French filmmaker and friend, Philippe Cote, who passed way in 2016. The revised edition is also dedicated to American filmmaker, mentor, and friend, Phil Solomon.
Awards & Nominations

Best Film (Jury award) Fronteira International Documentary & Experimental Film Festival
The Village Voice 2017 Film Poll (Best film, Best first feature, and Best director)
Sight & Sound 2017 Film Poll
Sight & Sound 2018 Film Poll
Sight & Sound 2018 Essay Film Poll
Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time 2022 Poll

Stills

Within Without Horizon, Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased The Flesh, Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased The Sea Behind Her Head, Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased




To the Moon (2020), Scott Barley, Tadhg O'Sullivan Wind (2019), Directed by Scott Barley Womb (2017), Directed by Scott Barley Passing (2013–2017), Directed by Scott Barley The Green Ray (2017), Directed by Scott Barley Sleep Has Her House (2017), Directed by Scott Barley Hinterlands (2016), Directed by Scott Barley Closer (2016), Directed by Scott Barley Blue Permanence/Swan Blood (2015), Directed by Scott Barley Hunter (2015), Directed by Scott Barley The Sadness of the Trees (2015), Directed by Scott Barley, Mikel Guillen Shadows (2015), Directed by Scott Barley Evenfall (2015), Directed by Scott Barley Hours (2015), Directed by Scott Barley Polytechnique (2014), Directed by Scott Barley, Easychord Ille Lacrimas (2014), Directed by Scott Barley Nightwalk (2013), Directed by Scott Barley Irresolute (2013), Directed by Scott Barley Retirement (2013), Directed by Scott Barley Glass Truth (2012–2013), Directed by Scott Barley The Ethereal Melancholy of Seeing Horses in the Cold (2012), Directed by Scott Barley Untitled (2011-2012) installation, Directed by Scott Barley



Eviscerations (2017), Directed by Scott Barley Midnight (2017), Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased Mouths in the Grass (2016–2017), Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased Painting (I) (2016), Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased Death is a Photograph (2013–2015), Directed by Scott Barley – unreleased Too Young to Die (2014–2015), Scott Barley – unreleased


In Production

The Emerald Fire
Within Without Horizon
The Flesh
The Sea Behind Her Head


Released

A Ladder
Half Moon
Womb
Passing
The Green Ray
Sleep Has Her House
Hinterlands
Closer
Blue Permanence/Swan Blood
Hunter
Shadows
Evenfall
Hours
Polytechnique
Ille Lacrimas
Nightwalk
Irresolute
Retirement
GLASS | TRUTH
The Ethereal Melancholy of Seeing Horses in the Cold
Untitled


Unreleased

Eviscerations
Midnight
Starless / Mouths in the Grass / Lustre to Void
Fugue
Painting (I)
Death is a Photograph
Too Young to Die 

Work with other filmmakers & artists

We Were No Longer Five
Esteban Hoyos García, Juan Miguel Gelacio, 2026
Guest Director
cinematographer, visual artist, sound designer & editor for dream sequences

Silent Friend
Ildikó Enyedi, 2025
Production Consultant

The Occupant of the Room
Kier-La Janisse, 2025
Colourist & Visual Artist


Standing at the Ruins
Saeed Taji Farouky, TBA)
Cinematographer & Visual Artist

To the Moon
Tadhg O’Sullivan, 2020
Cinematographer, Visual Artist, Musician

Wind
Emmit Fenn, 2019
Director, Cinematographer, Editor


The Sadness of the Trees
Collaboration with Mikel Guillen, 2015


‘The Speed of Dark’
Collaboration with Phil Solomon, unreleased
For screening inquiries, commissions, collaborations, lecturing and mentorship, or any other inquiries, please get in touch ︎

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Listen on ︎music or ︎bandcamp or ︎spotify


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© Scott Barley 2026. Sole copyright holder of all work featured herein (2010—present). All rights reserved.
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