One Split Second

A gem rediscovered

Robert Bontrager's microbudget feature, shot in 1995 for $5,000, has been given fresh life after three decades of obscurity. A labor of love for its 25-year-old filmmaker, the movie and all its original elements were destroyed in a fugue of despair when it failed to gain traction after a series of post-production woes. Bontrager recently revisited the film, cleaning it up frame-by-frame from an existing VHS copy and using AI tools to upgrade the resolution to HD. The results are impressive, but that's just scratching the surface. At its core, this is a compelling family drama about a Larry Elder-esque talk show host whose ingrained beliefs are challenged following a harrowing homicide. Written by Bontrager and his wife, Krista, the film explores social and spiritual ideas in a refreshingly direct way while showcasing the talents of its upstart cast. (Rio Dekin is especially fine in a live-wire performance that crystalizes the attitudes of mid-90s urban youth.) Only the cold reality of a low budget and good intentions--the curse of the American indie--distract from what is ultimately a powerful story of faith. Recommended.