Festivals - SDFF 2017 : Frederick a new short film on art and creation

Par Nikayaya, 01 octobre 2017

Frederick is a rich and troubled painter desperate to make an impact by creating passionate, provocative and disturbing work.

Our Review (3.5/5):

Frederick’s most intriguing quality may not be the art he so desperately wishes to succeed in, but the simple manner in which he makes you feel uneasy while still reminding you of an entitled brat.

The short film, soon to be featured at the San Diego Film Festival, begins with its namesake being demolished, albeit unknowingly, by an art critic. Frederick (Josh Mann) internalizes his frustration, lashing out, till he stumbles upon his niche. A recent murder, portrayed with great detail in one of Frederick’s paintings, leads Detective Marks (James Morrison) back to the artist. The reveal of a new art form leads to a twist that will leave you questioning Fredericks original motives.

The short succeeds in visual stimulation, background music and lighting working hand in hand to convince you of the models dire situation. But it’s the main character’s tepid personality, evoking a more stable Patrick Bateman, that seems to beg the question, is it the characters status or his insanity that provokes his response? Are entitled killers homicidal because of mental instability or because of privilege?

And while the film never truly confirms any of its darker intentions as fact, Mann’s Frederick does a good enough job of keeping you guessing, on both his actions, and his perceived right to them.

Frederick (2017)
Directed by Traci Hays
Screenplay by Josh Mann
Cast : James Morrison, Josh Mann, Lexi Johnson, Kerry Knuppe, Marcus Henderson, Christopher Soren Kelly, Maria Breese, River Johnson, Bill Lippincott
Produced by Joseph Adolphe, Matt Easton, Daniel Hartz, Josh Mann, Ed Marek, Boman Modine, Michael Staenberg, Chris Witt
Music by Mark Leggett
Film Editing by Chris Witt
Cinematography by Álvaro Martín Blanco
Production Design by Kristin Gibler
Costume Design by Elena Flores