While recuperating from cosmetic surgery, an actress stops in a small town expecting peace and quiet, but instead finds herself absorbed in a local legend. “Pure Immersion,” directed by Dave Biddle and Dave Ehrenreich, is a strangely engrossing tale of a young woman covered in face bandages making her way through the middle of nowhere and getting to know a couple of local figures. At a highway fruit stand, she claims she was attacked by a wild cat. The man selling fruit suggests she speak with his dad, an expert on the wild animals of the region. When she does, she strikes up an odd sort-of relationship with the father and son, and they spend some time together on their farm. It’s a film that exists in a world of its own, a striking mystery filled with beautiful vistas and unsettling exchanges. -KA. Written & Directed: Dave Biddle, Dave Ehrenreich. Starring: Willa Holland, John Kidder, Dave Biddle. Cinematographer & Editor: Dave Ehrenreich. Producer: Julia Kidder. Sound Designer: Eugenio Battaglia. Soundtrack: Destroyer, Alexi Baris, Linda Fox, Bridge & Tunnel.
A lonesome woman with strong moral fiber meets a new man for a late night drink. “Bar Snakes,” directed by Alex Warren, is a boozy vignette that perfectly captures the flirtatious maneuverings of two tipsy souls. The woman (played by Kate Adams) is already drunk when the date starts; the man (pla...
Instructional videos on how to survive an active shooter attack send a paranoid man into a self-fulfilling spiral. Dylan Redford directs “Emergency Action Plan,” a layered satire and personal essay film which explores emergency readiness drills ranging from Redford’s childhood to the present day....
An Illinois farming family on the verge of collapse confronts an uncertain future, and a tick finds a host. “Gossamer,” directed by Charlie Schmidlin is a heavy drama exploring familial hardship, generational loyalty, and a shifting society. Drawing on his own family’s experience, Schmidlin rende...
