Termite
From the Archives
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Short Films, 27-Mar-2025
After a man receives notice he’s slated to be executed for no discernible reason, he looks for a ride to the injection site. Ian White’s “Termite” is a dark comedy bleakly reflecting on a seemingly arbitrary bureaucratic decision, and the universal dilemma of finding a ride. Hank receives the attached PDF in an email from the state of California. The upcoming execution is surprising and unfortunate — things were looking up for Hank, an upcoming promotion at Walgreens in particular. At the going away party the night before, there’s some tears shed and a hypnotic serenade from friends. The film’s tone and deliveries are deadpan and mildly Lynchian, a desolate portrayal of dystopia uniquely mundane and metaphorically resonant. -JM. Director: Ian White. Cast: Tristan Baer, Keyian Vafai, Hannah Levy, Anya Bernstein, Olivia Bagg, Jackie Green. DP: Samson Jeter. Sound: Matthew Ericson. Editor: Will Abbott.
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