Witch Hunt

In this historical documentary, the son of red-baited Hollywood actor J. Edward Bromberg tells the story of his father's difficult life. In June 1951, the Hungarian immigrant who had once been a member of the American Communist Party found himself taking congressional heat for that past, even though he no longer associated with the party and had not been charged with espionage or any other crime. 

The House Committee on Un-American Activities put 320 people on the infamous Black List, effectively ending their careers. In an ironic twist to the committee's effort to stamp out communists, they trampled over Constitutional rights enshrined as examples of America's superiority over the Soviet system. Bromberg fled to London, where he died of a heart attack in exile. Looking back at his life, he never really settled down in one place he could call home. It's a sad story, and his son Conrad Bromberg carries this weight with a heavy tone throughout the narration of Witch Hunt. 

The U.S. Constitution evolved out of centuries of conflict. It is designed to protect citizens against abuses of power. When an individual is targeted for political persecution, the system isn't to blame when people cynically twist the law for their own perceived gain. You can watch the trailer here: Witch Hunt Trailer

Order My Steps

In this unsettling short film, an incarcerated woman named Peg tries to connect with her daughter on the outside. The prison has granted permission for a teleconference, but her daughter, Dorian, blunts the opportunity for reconciliation with a standoffish attitude and defiant refusal to show her face. 

No doubt, Peg brought this situation upon herself through years of neglect and addiction. Still, wouldn't it be nice if Dorian showed a little more humanity for her own mother? Such is the depth of the wound, and tragically, this short film draws from real life experience. 

Director Augusta Palmer is a filmmaker and educator with a good instinct for character, dialogue and story. The emptiness between mother and daughter expressed through uncomfortable moments of silence is deeply informed and impactful. You can watch the trailer here: Order My Steps

Mayfly

Aaron Driscoll is a media sensation. His self-help books and motivational speaking have landed him on daytime talk shows. He packs auditoriums. He is making a lot of money. 

He is also a very self-centered man. It's a problem. Especially now, when his wife has a gun. 

In this razor-edged short thriller, LA-based director Keith Andreen keeps you in suspense. From one tense moment to the next, the gun could go off, and it's not at all clear who will pull the trigger on whom. 

You can watch the trailer here: Mayfly Trailer

The Problem of the Hero

This fascinating portrayal of 20th century writer Richard Wright delves into his complex relationship with playwright Paul Green. Despite mutual admiration and the writing profession they shared, the men spoke different dialects, as it were, about politics and race. Later in life, Wright penned a manuscript about his contentious words with Green concerning a stage adaptation of the African-American writer's social justice novel, Native Son. The novelist's recollections of the experience comprise the basis of The Problem of the Hero. 

Director Shaun Dozier clearly drew inspiration from the theatrical and literary origins of his material. Scenes are often emotionally intense and character driven, and the setting itself is a theater. Dialogue fires back and forth between Wright and Green, and later with Orson Welles, with a tension of reserve and projection, mitigating the need for physical action. Yet a murder scene from the novel takes on a dangerous edge during rehearsal. 

The theater is a realm where high stakes battles can be fought with words and actors instead of weapons. This film takes its audience back to a time when literature had greater power in American culture—when exposition and conversation went deeper than the pithy self-declarations often experienced today. You can watch the trailer here: The Problem of the Hero Trailer

The Blood Orange

A single mother of two girls can't seem to get it together. She's addicted to prescription medications, after all, and her therapist Dr. Claire doesn't have an easy answer for Mom's lifetime of struggle. Her precious daughters are stoic in the face of a chaotic home life, but it appears as if Sweetie will pass her problems on down the line. 

Director Anthony Figliano appropriately started this mental health-themed project during the Covid lockdown. Given his strong background in music, including stints as a music teacher and opera performer in Italy, New York and New Jersey, Figliano composed twelve songs while writing a feature-length screenplay. The result of this ambitious project is The Blood Orange, a four-piece carousel with Dr. Claire serving as the central narrative thread. This 10-minute runtime short is the opening scene of the work-in-progress feature. 

Anxiety, depression and addiction are at epidemic levels in the United States. The dark subtext and haunting, off-axis but strangely catchy musical score combine to make this film as hypnotizing as it is interesting. You can watch the trailer here: The Blood Orange Trailer

Dad Bod

In this short documentary from the State of Washington, a seemingly ordinary father of four harbors a difficult memory. Years ago, he fell on hard times. His state of depression became severe, and the only way out he could see was to end it all. He nearly succeeded. 

Dad Bod is the story of a man who endured long past his darkest hour to become the man he is today: a Superdad with an upbeat spirit and a zest for living. His story must have resonated with Director Daniel Flahiff, a West Coast endurance athlete who competes all the way up to the Ironman level. Both men needed to dig deep to achieve their goals, making this film an inspiration for anyone who finds life not worth living anymore.

You can watch the trailer here: Dad Bod Trailer

Lovie Dovie

In this student project from Pratt Institute School of Art, an eager pupil with a love for marine life finds herself mysteriously attracted to a new girl in class. Already a diligent worker, she delves into articles and quizzes to work through her feelings and determine what this all means. The topic of exploring her own sexuality is a new one for her. 

Lovie Dovie is both charming and edifying, a lovely but challenging combination that filmmaker/animator/video producer Frankie Brescia achieves with skill and intentionality. This is an expressive film telling a story through animation and music; there is no dialogue to get in the way. 

As Brescia demonstrates through her art, some thoughts in life are more meaningful when left unsaid. You can watch the trailer here: 

Launch at Paradise

In this probing sci-fi thriller, John is a human who wants to be invincible. To get there, he needs to endure a cutting-edge medical procedure that transforms his mortal self into something digital, but not android. He will keep his existing body and live in it again after death. It's a strange, even loopy idea, but forces more powerful than he is are fully behind the technology. After all, they need people like John who are willing to die for the interests of elites. Over. And over. Again.  

The procedure leaves John in an existential haze between living and dying, where even as an enhanced lifeform he remains incomplete. He now faces an endless journey ahead towards perfection. The thought is overwhelming. So he ponders questions. When life goals are infinitely out of reach, what is the point of even trying? Or living?

Director Carrie Ann Quinn combines superb production values with intricately woven, often literary dialogue to deliver a short film that dedicated science fiction fans will appreciate. Most of the production team is based in Los Angeles, but the film is set in New York, making Launch at Paradise a bicoastal vision of an uncertain future. 

You can watch the trailer here: Launch at Paradise Trailer

Millie's Care Free Day

Conceived and produced during the Covid pandemic, this short from southern New Jersey involves a woman who's trapped inside a prison of depression and isolation. As all of us felt during the annus horribilis of 2020, she yearns to break free. For the central character Millie, it should be as easy as stepping outside for a lakeside stroll, but an outside force in the form of her best friend stands menacingly in the way. 

Director Michael Licisyn is an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, editor and writer. His experience in media gave him the creative outlet he needed for dealing with lockdown, so his motivation for making this film was quite personal. As the months wore on, Licisyn no doubt found refuge here, but for the audience the film might be more painful reminder than solace.  

Might. The story involves twists in plot and mood, keeping the audience in suspense. You can watch the trailer here: Millie's Care Free Day Trailer