WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Patterns of trepidation and the unease of precarious incertitude. The place no one wishes to experience when it comes to all that is considered normal, routine, accepted, and assured suddenly coming to a halt, interrupted by circumstance beyond our control, yet somehow rationalized as being influenced by actions we take or words we speak. In these times of no answers and a future forever changed, what chance at optimism do we have? It is the age of COVID-19, and one group of people, including a family–the father Matt (Jeff Sievers), his wife Sharon (Lacy Garrison), daughter Josie (Sasha Sievers), and son Jared (Logan Smith)–a lonely young man named Jeb (Anthony Joseph Gatio), and an older man Norman (Patrick Higgs), will experience their worst fears, doubts, and consternations until one act of incredible love and hope breaks through the haze of disquiet.
Next, my Mind:
This is unequivocally, undeniably, indisputably, emphatically THE indie short film to watch as soon as possible for ALL human beings across the world during this current crisis that is COVID-19. In only sixteen brief minutes, a narrative that addresses so many of the worst elements in attitudes we can encounter when it comes to the seemingly endless blight we face gets a deeply needed, utterly necessary, no-holds-barred, stirringly emotional, completely riveting, inspirational, and decidedly affecting infusion of a facet in life which should always take precedent–hope. This critic is not exaggerating, folks. I cried for most of the film due to its impact.
Thanks to its wonderfully orchestrated writing, perfectly chosen cast, real-time relevancy, and superbly atmospheric background music score, all of which elevate the dramatic poignancy the story engenders throughout, the effort carries its logical yet challenging message all the way to the film’s final act, then highlighting one decision, one choice, one heartwarming instance of innocence and the compelling sway it holds over the characters involved with an amazingly touching degree and totally indispensable, essential level of awareness that I truly trust will resonate greatly with our hearts, minds, and souls during this troubled time.
This may seem a strange to say in such form, but what is so magnificently admirable here is that this isn’t some hidden, clandestinely embittered campaign AGAINST the understandable fears, hesitations, questioning, and concerns about what the upcoming months even years might bring because of COVID-19, not at all. But, what it IS standing for is offering a provocation to make the CHOICE to step back, take a breath, and realize that it’s ok to feel these things, but not let them dictate your entire manner that then turns to a state of panic. Instead, find the better path to know that this WILL pass, and in the meantime, there is actually so much GOOD that can be done, even through the simplest yet most powerful actions as is portrayed here.
It’s the overt sensationalism that can often accompany unprecedented events like this in whatever form they take, and the extremes we tend to move towards as people is more a knee-jerk reaction to that which we DON’T understand, that anxiety about the unknown. But to see how this film takes that notion head on and blasts it to pieces with not just rational, but genuinely heartfelt sentiment that’s completely attainable and realistic to strive for, even in the face of this “monster” we’re staring down. As you can tell, films like this get me fired up, as it speaks with such deft precision and intent to our very being and to the ways we ideally need to change as people.
Jeff Sievers does a fantastic job as Matt, a businessman and father whose watching his entire professional life get upended, which causes growing tension within his household to a point of explosion. Yet, watching as he makes initially feeble attempts to diffuse it only makes what unfolds more impactful on him and who he wants to be, with Sievers embodying the stormy ride with great passion in his acting. Garrison also shines as Matt’s wife Sharon, who has her own desperations and agitations with Matt even as she tries her best to keep things in check. As with him, the building strain then leads to unexpected ease in her, and Garrison also makes this transition of states of being believably grounded and realistic.
Smith stands firm as their son Jared, whose reactions to the situation are almost more extreme than anyone else’s in the family, a total instinctive apprehension that takes the moment that changes everything to occur to finally see the brighter side and perhaps even the folly of his panic, all well-acted by Logan. Gatio’s performance is a study in intense understated-ness as Jeb, a young man seemingly haunted and alone who has a massive breakthrough thanks to a single action that changes his entire perspective. Higgs is gut-wrenchingly believable as Norman, an older man whose loss of any sense of joy and belief ushers in both one of the film’s most saddening then heartening journeys. It’s an overwhelmingly emotive performance that will reverberate in you as a viewer.
But, then there is Sasha Sievers who wholly wins you over with her beautifully executed performance as Josie, Matt and Sharon’s young daughter who’s calm, collected, insistent demeanor not only immediately affects you, but draws you into experiencing that sense of non-fear and yearning she has to offer a solution that will so dramatically transform everyone’s lives, not just within her own household, but beyond. It’s so charming yet radically potent, and Sievers pulls it off with grace. Supporting turns arrive from Daniel Chioco as Jay, Matt’s partner in business, John Wiggins as a local neighbor and friend of Norman’s, Silas, and Rory Johnson as another neighbor who’s quite the example of the hoarding we’ve heard so much about.
In total, “Distance” is the pertinent, appropriate, fully applicable film of our contemporary reality in the world, and its principals and message of hope is one that remains SO needed, along with the further concepts it can elicit contemplation towards: standing together, spreading faith and assurance, unconditional love, and a firm foundation of how much we just require each other. Stand tall, world, we WILL persevere. Spread the word.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
Awesome! You read my mind as well…