WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Machinations. Schemes. Collusion. Conspiracy. When situations arise that cause us to question the very nature of what is already known about them, the mind races to fanciful conclusions, paranoia, and doubts about what the truth really is. Once this dilemma begins, can you ever get out? There’s only a hint as to the most current activity a man named Jeff (Stelio Savante) has been involved in this particular night while getting his things together in the hotel room he soon backs out of with an air of distracted hesitancy. A little out of sorts, his thoughts begin to flash back to the start of his evening on a stormy night while sitting in the hotel lobby.
Lost in his own sense of reality, Jeff’s unsettled reverie is undermined by the appearance of Camille (Hannah Jane McMurray), a beautiful and strangely enigmatic woman who strikes up a conversation with him, despite his initial lack of interest. Ultimately playing a game of trying to glean what the other is on their way to do before the storm interrupted their travels, the chat is filled with a palpable, serious, yet almost playful tension. Events take a different turn, however, when a news story about the disappearance of a major Pentagon official comes up, visibly engaging both of them in surmising what happened to him. After another little “game” between them, the following day arrives and both Jeff and Camille find themselves facing an even deeper mystery each–what exactly is the truth?
Next, my Mind:
With an extremely clever utilization of intrigue, suspense, thriller, and noir-based elements, writer/director Nick Efteriades’ 18-minute short film plunges the viewer fully into an intelligently understated, eerie reality where multiple stories could have multiple outcomes, misdirection is the norm, and the actual truth is nothing more than a veiled perception, even though there’s really only one conclusion to be drawn from the events depicted. Watching how a tangled web is weaved taking in both of the primary characters–their individual demeanors, their respective reactions to certain comments made to each other throughout the conversation had, and the vague notion that neither one of them is what they seem–it keeps us glued to the screen, wanting to see how it will all play out. What is also effective is having so many initial moments where we might even decide we’ve got everything figured out, but then are given cause to second guess, thanks to beautiful writing and excellent visual presentation, which therefore gives each scene such a monumental weight in the course of a well-paced narrative’s tone, mood, and purpose.
Savante is excellent as Jeff, a man of both means and a rather serious skillset that one just knows you don’t want to be on the receiving end of. However, Jeff is also an introvert in manner, very much on display the entire time he converses with Camille, yet we still know that it isn’t out of timidity as much as a very ridged, guarded awareness he possesses. He’s more calculating than one might initially perceive, and it’s this attitude that allows him to be who he is and confront situations with a creepy calm that belies what’s burning inside–and what he’ll do to protect his secrets. All of this is very, very well enacted by Savante. Likewise, McMurray’s Camille is a study in a woman who honestly has no fear, is very up front, slyly seductive, and totally capable of manipulating any situation to her liking. The forward way she approaches Jeff and the subsequent bearing she has with him as their verbal jousting is initiated, only begins to scratch the surface of who she really is, at least that’s the impression we’re given, and it’s a true treat to watch McMurray navigate the character through this encounter. The two actors play off each other solidly, with believable chemistry, which only helps deepen the mystique of it all.
Supporting turns are provided from Lou Mast as a local cop whose own suspicions about Jeff may actually be well-founded, Marston Allen as the missing Pentagon official Lt. Griswold, and Andy Chmelko as the hotel’s bartender, along with a quick appearance by Catherine Chadwicke. In total, with its smart writing, great directing, wonderful acting, and edgy, chilling premise that begs for further exploration (feature film, anyone?), “Pronoia” is a perfect example of independent film’s character and story-based magic, forever illustrating the talent that’s out there deserving of more recognition.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
