An emerging filmmaker asks himself whether it's possible to make something meaningful in 10 minutes. “Kar,” directed by Nick Allen, is a self-reflexive film about trying, failing, and trying again to make a film. Under a looming cloud of anxiety, Nick gears up to make his road film about a bright red 1986 Toyota Corolla, but his personal relationship to such a car and any story related to it feels vague. Ascending the routine steps of short filmmaking, he tries to write a “nuanced” script, auditions parts, and makes fund-raising videos. Nonetheless, he can’t help but interrogate the endeavor. Come time to shoot, physical pain and obstacles challenge Nick to reassess his approach. In “Kar,” Allen forefronts style and mood—exciting exercises of craft uncommon in the “film about filmmaking” genre. -JM. Writer & Director: Nick Allen. Cast: Nicholas Burton, Essie Randles, Jack Voegt. Producer: Madison Hegarty. DP: Cameron Johnson. Production Designer: Amanda Kay. Costume Designer: Maya Gardiner-Mullins. Editor: Liam Riley. Composer: Liam Olsson.
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