WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
When it’s family–it’s personal. Once the bond between brothers, adoptive or biological, is established, there’s nothing that can separate the trust, friendship, support, and unconditional love that melds their lives together. But, when circumstances unanticipated create a catalyst that causes this relationship to end abruptly, bouncing back from the pain carries just as much resonance as had their fellowship. Having experienced this exact scenario first hand, willful and unyielding orphan Elliot Thompson (Chad Zigmund) has more than a slight chip on his shoulder. Raised by his adoptive father Benji (Clint Calvert), a retired MMA fighter, Elliot strives to make himself better through his own aspirations in the octagon. Life, however, always throws haymakers.
While knowing the dreams he and his brother had once and simply trying to dodge the past overall, Elliot comes into an unexpected discovery–his brother Isaac (John Wells), is alive. Filled with a newfound determination to locate his long thought perished sibling, Elliot employs the assistance of an investigative reporter, Anna St. Clair (Shelby Taylor Mullins), to track down all the possible places his brother could be. When the results are not at all what he expects, he still sets off to find out the truth and reconnect, even though it could potentially endanger his and Isaac’s lives. Plus, even after contact is made, a new wrinkle in the story is revealed involving their real father, Michael (Silvio Wolf Busch), and soon, the ultimate ramifications of what happens next will define both men forever.
Next, my Mind:
At a mere 16-years old, writer/director/DP Josiah Stendel, already an award-winning filmmaker, delivers his third indie short film project and does it with a surprising amount of panache, poise, and shall we say it, maturity, for someone so young. With a potent, gritty, well-executed narrative and solid cinematography carrying the 26-minute film along, the overall tone and mood established here feels very much rooted in the real world. The characters flow nicely together, and it simply seems, like indie film is so often adept at, relatable on some level for the viewer. We all have connections our hearts are attached to, and therefore making a stand to fight with every last ounce of ourselves for their sakes when up against it, makes a solid core message here. Adding to this are the excellent, underlying faith-based themes and emphasis on the concept that even the toughest spirit can be broken, and paths can be radically and awesomely altered for the better. Redemption is always a great plot point for this reviewer.
Zigmund emotes well and brings Elliot to life in a nicely presented fashion as the man he is, struggling with a past he’d wished could be re-written and dealing with the demons of the present by pushing himself and not always being willing to take to heart the advice given him. But, once the situation changes in learning his brother is out there, Zigmund effectively navigates the emotional spectrum in Elliot’s desire for situations to turn around. Wells, likewise, gives us an affecting performance as Isaac, immersed in a darker world of criminality his life road brought him to, yet then gets seriously interrupted upon Elliot’s appearance back in his life. While indicating a reluctance to listen to the bonds of brotherhood, Isaac’s transformation is genuine and hard-fought (literally, in this case!) and Wells brings out this shift in attitude and heart appropriately.
Supporting turns key to events are placed by Calvert, Mullins, and Busch while other support can be found from Sonny Burnette, Matt Hudson, Hannah Diesterhaft, and Jessica Paige York. In summary, “Orphaned Courage” can be forgiven a few minor rough edges in certain sequences for the sheer fact that the passion and faith-filled intent contained within the growing skill-set of a 16-year old movie maker is front and center, accomplished successfully, filled with drive and purpose, and should remind us all how important it is as movie fans or fellow filmmakers to encourage and support the next generation of talent.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
