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Greetings again from the darkness. Creating a 5-minute short film that shocks us, makes us laugh, and leaves us understanding the main character is quite a feat. And that’s exactly what director Julien Lasseur and screenwriter Brian Groh have accomplished with this short film that is included in this year’s Sundance Film Festival block of shorts.
Within a few seconds of the film opening, we have a pretty good idea about Barry (Shawn Parsons). He’s on the phone failing in an attempt to persuade a friend to help him celebrate his birthday. Not long after that, we discover that deadbeat Barry owes $30,000 to the hulk of a man (Cjon Saulsberry) who has understandably abducted him for lack of payment.
Although he’s sick and tired of chasing Barry for the money, the hulking man is rational enough to listen to Barry’s desperate pleas for one more shot at paying the debt. A call to sister Margo (Kristin Hansen) clues us in to the extent of her brotherly love by the name for Barry on her phone. Her agreement to pay and birthday wishes are quite a moment for him. The film’s ending is an extreme example of how easily it can be too late to show someone you care … and also one that might make us feel a bit guilty for laughing. It’s a clever little gem with just the right turn from Shawn Parsons, as well as a couple of well-placed visuals.
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