Clandestine (film)

Clandestine is a short film written by and featuring the members of the band AFI, and directed by Norwood Cheek. It was released in a special edition box set of their 2003 album Sing the Sorrow. There are two soundtracks that can be selected on the DVD: one each by band members Hunter Burgan and Jade Puget.

The box that some versions of CD and DVD are packaged in is seen in the film. The band members try throughout the film to obtain the box, and once they do, they open it, but it is not revealed what is inside. Davey Havok is also seen writing the booklet that comes with the set. Above him is a picture similar to that on the cover of the band's album Black Sails in the Sunset but the large ship is notably missing from the picture.

The film starts as Hunter Burgan is running through the forest reading a note. The note says 3:33 PM, Room 37, Today. In the said classroom the kids are looking at the box. Then Hunter comes in and grabs the box, dropping the note as he runs.

Next up is Davey Havok, he is in a restaurant writing in a book as a waiter comes and gives him tea. The box they are all looking for is next to him. Then a woman comes in and kisses Davey, then leaves. Davey wonders what happens and continues writing. He looks up to find the box is gone. He is confused and looks around the table for it. We assume the woman had taken it when she kissed him.

Up next is Adam Carson, he is playing poker and betting for the box. When he puts his hand down(three 3's and two 7's) he wins the game and takes the box. As he walks away the box falls apart and the men walk away with the real box.

Finally, Jade Puget comes into a house and rummages through the dressers and under the bed. Jade looks in the bathroom and in the bathtub filled with black liquid he pulls out the box. At that moment he hears a woman walking in the hallway. He jumps into the tub and the plug is pulled. The woman walks in and sees the remains of the liquid going down the drain. Then it cuts to a scene at the beach shore where all the band members are sitting at a round table waiting as Jade brings the box to them. He sits down with them and they open it.

At that moment it cuts to credits and we never find out what is in the box. It is rumored that there really is nothing in the box at all due to certain lyrics found in the song, "Bleed Black".

Several elements from the lyrics of Sing the Sorrow appear in the film:

• The writing on the chalkboard: "Nothing From Nowhere" and "I am no one at all" (from "Miseria Cantare")
• A white chrysanthemum (from "The Great Disappointment")
• A rabbit (from "Rabbits are Roadkill on Route 37")
• Black liquid in the bathtub (from "Bleed Black")