I had little expectation as I screened the World Premiere at Montreal FantAsia Film Festival. As the slow-paced story played out however, I got everything I could ask for from a low budget thriller. It is thought-provocative, nuanced, different and brings out tension and emotions satisfyingly while still leaving unanswered questions.
David Bryant wrote a solid screenplay, got some actors to rehearse between them and add their take to the story and then basically filmed three long takes theatre-style, only with a cameraman as an eye-witness participant, in three days in a unique location. He put his own money to create the film on ultra-low budget and had actors and DP to opt for a later profit-sharing scheme to minimize upfront cost. Yes, this film was created with less than 3000$. David later joked that his plane ticket to Montreal was the now the biggest cost he had to incur.
Budget consideration aside, this movie lacks nothing. The one-take and some time jerky camera serve the story and make you feel the immediacy and intimacy of the characters. There are a few welcomed surprised, but the story stays in the grey spectrum (like the colour correction) the whole time. We are left with a lot to ponder and discuss.
Special thanks to David for sharing his thoughts and experience in the Q&A and outside the theatre in an informal discussion of this fine piece of art.
