The Right to Remain Silent
Drama
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Drama, Short Films, 24-Jul-2025
A young man tries to cheer up his roommate by getting beer but a run-in with an ex-girlfriend complicates the picture. Matthew Koebele’s “The Right to Remain Silent” contains the melancholy and suppressed drama of an unexpected encounter. Paul looks for his watch while his roommate, Carter, reads a book. It’s a quiet evening in their New York apartment and Paul suggests the two watch a movie. Despite a subtle disconnect, Carter agrees. Paul heads to the store to get a six pack, and on his way back home, he bumps into Rachel. Carefully, the young man and woman tip-toe around a dialogue where the angst of a kept secret floats to the surface. Koebele composes with dramatic tension that stirs from beginning to end, and at under six minutes, its strengths are a tightly crafted edit and heartfelt performances from young faces. -JM. Director: Matthew Koebele. Cast: Hank Johnstone, Benny Kardesch, Sophie Sherlock. Producer: Hanna Dzaferovic. DP: Cole Fletchall-Silva. Editor: Case Avron. AD: Cate Christiansen. Location Sound: Aiden Chavis. Post-Sound: Margeaux MacCaughey.
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