In this extremely intriguing and visually arresting sci-fi tale, the filmmakers seem to be scratching the surface of a larger mythology that must lay beneath what’s revealed in this short. A futuristic Moscow, anthropomorphized robots and a motorcycle chase through snow-laded Russian boulevards all add up to a viscerally delectable sci-fi apéritif.

The accomplished work evinced in this short resulted in the director, Carl Rinsch, being hired by Universal to direct 47 Ronin, which has yet to be release and is rumored to rife with budgetary, story and cinematic “creative differences.” Go figure.

“The Gift” stands on its own as an amazing short film that begs for feature-length treatment.