Turned

Greetings again from the darkness. We understand how damaging alcoholism can be. We understand the short and long term pain caused by domestic abuse. We even understand what can happen when helicopter parents try to live out their own failed dreams through their kids. Writer-director Anders Walter (an Oscar winner for his short film HELIUM, 2013) combines all three of these potentially devastating issues into one powerful 20 minute short film from Denmark that leaves us shaken.

Kasper (Sylvester Byder) is a young man whose charming girlfriend Veronika (Clara Rosager) doesn't understand why he prefers her to stay away from the race track. It doesn't take long for us to see why. Kasper's dad (Jacob Lohman) is an alcoholic abuser pushing his son to be a great race driver. He motivates Kasper by calling him "soft" and accusing him of having "so little ambition". The reality is that dad has unknowingly shoved the joy out of driving for Kasper, who now just wants to focus on his studies and his relationship with Veronika.

An inordinate ability to focus is required during races, and instead, Kasper's mind is filled with flashbacks and images of a nightmarish childhood. He sees his dad for the demon he has always been, and the question Kasper faces now ... does he have the strength to break away and be his own man? Veronika's presence on the other side of the fence makes quite a statement.