Lonely Place

This movie really took my by surprise. I attended a screening of shorts from the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival at my college, most of the films there were... big budget Jerry Bruckheimer bullshit that were from BMW films.com. I have to admit they were kinetic though, so with the adrenaline pumping, LONELY PLACE, was a little bit boring at first. I admired its beauty, but could not enjoy the pace after those goddam car chases. Finally I settled down and was absorbed by what I was watching.

The directing was very delicious, the set, the actors, they all made me feel like I was in the 1940's. The amazing thing this movie did is allow you to see each character's emotions, personalities, and backstories without any flashbacks or narration. Through the imagery and the simple words and gestures, the entire story was played out for you. The end is a HUGE payoff. You have no idea that it is going to happen. It was insanity.

Technically, the movie had good camera work but the lighting was a little bit so and so. But I can dismiss it thanks to Kevin, whom explained his movie to us in a Q & A after the screening. It took six years to make this movie, completely worth it. Man o man, I need to learn how to structure my thoughts.

Great movie. Watch it for the noir aspect, quirky actors, suspense, and the excellent ending. High five to Kevin Ackermann.

x Mike Ordoñez

I got the chance to see this film at a Film Noir festival held at the American Cinemateque in Hollywood, and I was very pleased.

This picture harkens back to a different era. One when suspense and drama were handled deftly by masters like Alfred Hitchcock.

A modern film set in the late 1940's, Tess Harper plays the farmer's wife caught in a rural dilemma. Her performance as the mouse caught in a box with two cats is amazing. (Where has she been lately?) Kurtwood Smith is the old tired farmer, and Tomas Arana is the mysterious stranger who just stopped by for a visit.

The tension here gets thick, and you don't know who to root for...until the end.

This film will probably go the festival route, so if you see it on your program, and you like well paced suspensfull noir's, give it a look and you won't be disappointed. (8/10)

MitchellMan

One of the hardest things to bring about in a film is tone, and here, director Ackerman has crafted a short with the feeling of a Flannery O'Connor short story, a rare achievement indeed. Produced with an uncanny attention to detail and directed with a strong sense of foreboding, "Lonely Place" features affecting performances by the three leads, the most surprising coming from Kurtwood Smith, who is at least currently known for lighter roles. A beautiful film to watch, the story incorporates a key prop in an unusual and original way that to me at least recalled Hitchcock. An all-around exceptional first film - check it out if you get a chance!

As a woman who has worked on 3 short films and 2 feature endeavors, I can safely state that working for Kevin Ackerman has refreshed my memory as to why I ever wanted to make movies in the first place. Assisting him at various times during post production, in setting up his company, seeing how he struggled on a day-to-day basis, always trying to make this little half hour film better...I have never met someone as committed as he was and is.

The film, LONELY PLACE, exists as a polished first short, evocative of a time and place, faithful to the Film Noir genre Kevin so loves (and has studied extensively), purposefully un-flashy and somehow extremely mature. I watched the films Kevin told me were influences on LONELY PLACE while he finished it this last year -- The Postman Always Rings Twice, Repulsion, all the Hitchcocks etc. -- and I respect his choice to make a small film about three people inhabiting one space, a farmhouse, but with a larger thematic issue at stake: What is at the core of Marriage if, in fact, there isn't Love? And what would you do if, after giving 20 years to a man, living and working hard for him, you found out that he didn't love or even respect you? LONELY PLACE tackles the difficult premise, weaves a web, has fun with what one woman might do in a bygone era, given just such knowledge of her partner...not an easy thing to do in a half hour!

LONELY PLACE will, undoubtedly, play well in festivals and Kevin's career will fluorish in the aftermath. Of this much I am certain. I sign off for the last time, the night before my return home overseas, thankful for my time here in the United States working with such talented artists like kevin and all the rest. See LONELY PLACE!

I attended the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival and viewed all the other films and Lonely Place really stood out with no fancy special effects that would steer you away from the deep expression of film making. Wonderful casting with credible, professional and recognizable actors. This film is truly a breath of fresh air with a down to earth location on a farm.

I enjoyed the retro scenes and authenticity of props. Cinematography is gorgeous. Suspenseful and entertaining. Kevin Ackerman did a superb job in capturing the feel and struggle of farm life. This is a film you don't want to miss! This will make you crave peaches. I look forward to Kevin Ackerman's next film.