A.W.O.L. 
| Directed by: | Jack Swanstrom |
|---|---|
| Written by: | Holly Martins |
| Starring: | David Morse |
| Country: | U S A |
| Created: | 2006 |
| Runtime: | 22 min. |
| Also Listed In: | Dixie Film Festival Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival 2007 Barbados International Film Festival DELRAY BEACH FILM FESTIVAL 2008 21st Edmonton International Film Festival Garden State Film Festival 2008 Rome International Film Festival |
| Member: | BipolarPictures |
Average rating: 4 by 3 users
Synopsis
Vietnam. 1972. US Army Special Forces Major Cliff Marquette (David Morse) leads a squad ordered to investigate unusual reports at a remote jungle temple locals believe has mystical powers. Marines guarding the temple have withheld provisions for days from a Viet Cong prisoner. Despite mistreatment, the prisoner shows no signs of suffering. Marquette confronts the Marine in charge, Garris (John C. McGinley) for torturing a prisoner of war when suddenly enemy forces attack and mortar shells rock the temple. An exceptionally heroic, but losing battle lands Marquette in the hands of a merciless Viet Cong torturer. His men are dead; his screams unheeded. At the height of agony, Marquette’s world is turned upside down. In an instant, he finds himself a stranger in the midst of an American life that apparently belongs to him – an idyllic but unrecognizable life – complete with a loving wife and two children he’s never seen before. Paranoid, Marquette struggles to take in what's happening to him. Soon uncertainty and fear give way to relief and acceptance. But the twist of fate that delivered Marquette into this life from the hands of his enemy has granted him only a reprieve. The cruel pain of war is not over. As the clock strikes midnight Marquette is back in Vietnam where his torture resumes a few minutes each night. Trapped between two worlds, Marquette must endure…unless, with the clock counting down, he can cheat fate. Escaping will take his wits...and it will require a gun.
Forms: Narrative Fiction, Short
Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi Action, Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Independent, Surreal, War/Peace, Period/Historical, Action/Adventure, Supernatural
Screenings & Events
Santa Fe Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Santa Fe, U S A
December 2006
Park City Film Music Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Silver Medal for Excellence
Park City, U S A
January 2007
Short Film Festival of India
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER - Best Short
Chennai, India
January 2007
Beaufort Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: FINALIST: Short Film Category
Beaufort, U S A
February 2007
Show Off Your Shorts Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Los Angeles, U S A
February 2007
Gasparilla Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Tampa, U S A
February 2007
Very Short Movies Festival, Egyptian Theatre
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Audience Choice Award
Los Angeles, U S A
March 2007
MethodFest
Film Festival
Awards: Nominated: Best Short
Calabasas, U S A
March 2007
George Lindsay UNA Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Honorable Mention, Short
Florence, U S A
March 2007
DC International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: FINALIST: Short Film Category
Washington DC, U S A
March 2007
Vail International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: NOMINATED: Best Short
Vail, U S A
March 2007
Memphis International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Memphis, U S A
March 2007
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
San Luis Obispo, U S A
March 2007
Lake County Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Lake County, U S A
March 2007
The Other Venice Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Venice, U S A
March 2007
Lake Arrowhead Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Lake Arrowhead, U S A
April 2007
California Independent Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: NOMINATED: Best Short, Best Actor, Best Editing
Livermore, U S A
April 2007
Rebel Planet Short Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Drama
North Hollywood, U S A
April 2007
Aarhus Festival of Independent Arts
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Aarhus, Denmark
April 2007
Atlanta Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Atlanta, U S A
April 2007
40th Annual Worldfest
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Platinum Remi Award, Short Category
Houston, U S A
April 2007
Twin Rivers Media Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Short (2nd place)
Houston, U S A
April 2007
60th Annual Cannes Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Short Film Corner & Out of Competition Screening
Cannes, U S A
May 2007
Jacksonville Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Jacksonville, U S A
May 2007
49th Annual Rochetser International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Rochester, U S A
May 2007
DeReel Independent Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Melbourne, U S A
May 2007
Planet Ant Film & Video Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Drama
Hamtramck, U S A
June 2007
27th Annual Breckenridge Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Breckenridge, U S A
June 2007
Boston International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Boston, U S A
June 2007
Hoboken International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Hoboken, U S A
June 2007
Pencil Head's Dusk Til Dawn Film Fest
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Sci-Fi
Houston, U S A
July 2007
Long Island International Film Expo
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Long Island, U S A
July 2007
Palm Springs Intl. Festival of Short Films
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Palm Springs, CA, U S A
August 2007
Calgary Fringe Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
August 2007
Fringe Film Indianapolis
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Indianapolis, IN, U S A
August 2007
Hermosa Shorts Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Acting, David Morse
Hermosa Beach, U S A
August 2007
HollyShorts Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Los Angeles, U S A
August 2007
Jersey Shore Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Jury Award, 2nd Place
Deal, U S A
August 2007
Niche Film and Music Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Portland, U S A
August 2007
Dragon-Con Independent Short Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Atlanta, U S A
August 2007
Landlocked: The Iowa City Intl. Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Iowa City, U S A
August 2007
Sacramento Film and Music Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Sacramento, U S A
August 2007
Crested Butte Reel Fest
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Crested Butte, U S A
August 2007
Twin Cities Underground Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Minneapolis, U S A
August 2007
First Glance Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Professional Short
Philadelphia, U S A
September 2007
Everglades International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Short Film, Silver
Everglades, South Africa
September 2007
Wildwood By the Sea Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Wildwood, NJ, U S A
September 2007
Cinema City Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: FINALIST: Best Short
Universal City, U S A
September 2007
SoCal Independent Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Huntington Beach, CA, U S A
September 2007
Rome International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Rome, GA, U S A
September 2007
23rd Boston Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Boston, U S A
September 2007
Central Florida Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Orlando, U S A
September 2007
Bluegrass Independent Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
LaGrange, U S A
September 2007
Illinois International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
St. Charles, U S A
September 2007
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Jury Award, Best Short Film
Big Bear Lake, U S A
September 2007
14th Annual LA Shorts Fest
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Los Angeles, U S A
September 2007
Sapporo Short Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Hokkaido, U S A
September 2007
10th Annual Zimbabwe International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
September 2007
International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Actor, David Morse
Tempe, AZ, U S A
October 2007
Berks Movie Madness Film Competition
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Professional Short
Reading, PA, U S A
October 2007
Shockerfest
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Short, Best Actor
Riverbank, U S A
October 2007
Secret City Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Short, 3rd Place
Oak Ridge, U S A
October 2007
Shriekfest Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER: Best Short
Los Angeles, U S A
October 2007
Cackalacky Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Cackalacky, NC, U S A
October 2007
FAIF/IndieFest USA
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Anaheim, CA, U S A
October 2007
Guild of Italian American Actors Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
New York, U S A
October 2007
Tacoma Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Tacoma, U S A
October 2007
Colchester International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Colchester, United Kingdom
October 2007
Eerie Horror Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Eerie, U S A
October 2007
BendFilm Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Bend, Oregon, U S A
October 2007
Hell’s Half Mile Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Bay City, Michigan, U S A
October 2007
Dixie Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Atlanta, GA, U S A
October 2007
LaFemme Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Beverly Hills, CA, U S A
October 2007
Screamfest 2007
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Hollywood, CA, U S A
October 2007
Big Bang Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Philadelphia, PA, U S A
October 2007
Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Grand Rapids, MI, U S A
October 2007
21st Edmonton International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Edmonton, Canada
October 2007
Montezuma International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Montezuma, Costa Rica
November 2007
Whistler Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Whister, British Columbia, Canada
December 2007
Barbados International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Barbados, West Indies, Barbados
December 2007
Bahamas International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Nassau, Bahamas
December 2007
5th Annual Oxford Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Oxford, U S A
February 2008
Delray Beach Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
Delray Beach, FL, U S A
April 2008
Connecticut Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Official Selection
New Haven, U S A
May 2008
Cast & Crew
Holly Martins (Executive Producer), Jack Swanstrom (Director), Jessica Wethington (Producer), Sukee Chew (Executive Producer)
WritingHolly Martins (Writer)
PerformanceDavid Morse (Lead Actor), John C. McGinley (Supporting Actor)
CameraLynda Cohen (Cinematographer/DP)
Art DepartmentRay Yamagata (Production Designer)
Post ProductionPerry Robertson (Sound Editor), Sue Hoover (Picture Editor)
MusicDaniel Lessner (Original Music/Composer), William Richter (Original Music/Composer)
RepresentationJessica Wethington (Publicist)
UPCOMING:
2007 Other Venice Film Festival (March 15-18, 2007, Venice, CA)
The Memphis International Film Festival (March 22-25, 2007, Memphis, TN)
Vail Film Festival (March 29 -April 1, 2007, Vail, CO)
Method Fest (March 29 - April 5, 2007, Calabasas, CA)
Atlanta Film Festival (April 9 -13, 2007, Atlanta, GA)
California Independent Film Festival (April 14-22, Dublin, CA)
Rebel Planet Short Film Festival (April 20-22) (North Hollywood, CA)
Lake Arrowhead Film Festival (April 20 - April 22, Lake Arrowhead, CA)
Boston International Film Festival (June 6- 13, 2007, Boston, MA)
PREVIOUS
Very Short Movies Festival (March 8-11, 2007, Los Angeles, CA - Egyptian Theatre)
WINNER: Audience Choice Award for Best In Show
The Short Film Festival of India (Jan. 5 - 8, 2007, Chennai, India)
WINNER: Best In Show
The George Lindsay UNA Film Festival (March 1 - 4, 2007, Florence, AL)
WINNER: 2nd Place Dramatic Short Category
Park City Film Music Festival (Jan. 18 - 28, 2007, Park City, UT)
WINNER: Silver Medal for Excellence
The DC Independent Film Festival (March 1 - 11, 2007, Washington, DC)
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (March 1st - 11, 2007, San Luis Obispo, CA)
The Lake County Film Festival (March 8 - 12, 2007, Lake County, IL)
The Gasparilla Film Festival (Feb. 28 - March 4, 2007, Tampa, FL)The Beaufort Film Festival (February 23 - 25, 2007, Beaufort, SC)
Show Off Your Shorts Festival (Feb. 9 -11, 2007, Los Angeles, CA)
The Santa Fe Film Festival (Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2006, Santa Fe, NM)
HorrorFest UK (Nov. 2006, United Kingdom)
After some time and distance from early cuts, we came back to the project with "new eyes" and decided to try re-arranging the narrative so the sequence of events, written to occur over several months, would instead play out during just a few days.
Though certainly a departure from the timeline in the screenplay, this truncating of time ultimately helped to amp up the drama and greatly increase the stakes for the Marquette character.
Seeing him face his worst fear every night at midnight is more dramatic and frightening for the character and his audience. Knowing it is coming each time the clock strikes midnight makes the audience dread it right along with Marquette from the edge of their seats.
To achieve this, some scenes were painfully left out of the final cut (including a second war sequence intended for the end, which featured an actual flame-thrower and intense shots of our hero walking through a desecrated Vietnam battlefield).
As much as we loved the scenes as written, and they represented an enormous on-set effort, they ultimately didn't work for the short story we were telling on screen.
Cutting things out -- even good things -- to make the film better, even when it hurts, is what the challenge of making this short film was all about --- to tell a short, focused story in a short period of time, not to try and cram a complicated epic mini-feature into 20 minutes of screentime.
There are always those moments -- those few frames, or that sequence that you lament over and say "If we'd just (fill in the blank) it would have been (fill in the blank)." And we'd be lying if we said we wouldn't change a thing if we had all the money and time in the world. But that's part of the journey, too.
After quite a journey finally getting it finished, we're happy with the work. It's an ambitious project, no doubt, but one we hope engages and entertains during its time on screen and surprises the audience once or twice along the way.
We're really looking forward to having other people see it.
"A.W.O.L." was shot on Kodak 35mm short-ends (various lengths of film leftover from the cans used on film & TV shows that can afford to waste the end of a roll rather than risk roll-out) over about 8 days (and nights), mostly in the hills behind Magic Mountain in Southern California.
Panavision generously provided the camera and lens package for free. The rest of our equipment, plus props, sets and wardrobe was begged, borrowed and deep discounted from so many places none of us had a favor left to barter after the shoot and our thank-you credits threatened to be longer than the actual film.
The shoot was crazily ambitious, but luckily very organized through pre-production. We did literally hundreds of set-ups in eight days, with a number of shots within each set-up. "Let's make it work", was an understatement, and the way the film looks despite challenges is a tribute to our DP Lynda Cohen and the entire camera, grip and electric crew.
Ray Yamagata, our Production Designer is just outstanding. Ray really brought the worlds we had in our heads, to life, and the subtleties of props, sets and wardrobe are what make each world authentic in its own way. Somehow, with little more than some green spraypaint and a dozen potted palms, Ray made the hills of Valencia look like Vietnam. Just don't ask our producer Jessica about the tree.
Speaking of Jessica --- I can say this as the director ---Jessica Wethington produced the shit out of this movie! A lot of what you see on screen is attributable to Jessica convincing people to be a part of our project - of course in terms of giving us things for free, which was hugely important, and working for free. But even beyond that, she has a way of getting people to go the extra mile and be happy about doing it. She's driven and passionate, and that's contagious.
Some days our set was like a small city and Jessica was the Mayor of Set City. Especially on days we shot explosions and battle scenes (which we shot with multiple -again free- cameras from different angles at the same time, because we could only afford to blow everything up once) there were upwards of 80 or 90 cast, crew and extras on set those days. Keeping it all together, keeping everyone motivated, and keeping creative ideas moving forward with our team was no small feat. Thanks, pal. You rock.
Looking back, we were probably insane to try and do what we did as relatively new filmmakers, but we just did it and we had a lot of fun. Sure, no one slept for days at a time; bronchitis was being passed around the set; a few bombs may have exploded a little too close for comfort; and we're pretty sure our UPM Larry worked the second-to-last night while sleepwalking. But it was fun, worth every minute, and we can't wait to do another one.
The cast was superior in every way and we were thrilled to work with David Morse (“Hack,” “Dancer in the Dark,” “The Green Mile,”), John C. McGinley (“Scrubs”, “The Rock,” “Platoon”) and Caroline Kristiahn.
They were game for anything. David even stayed at our writer's house during the shoot so we wouldn’t rack up a hotel bill and John's line about small dogs and spiders is a great laugh; ad-libbed on the spot at about 2am.
The actors worked for nada (deferred) and were willing to go the extra mile -or hour- to give us their a-game. It was an amazing experience all around to work with such an experienced and gifted cast who believed in our short film.
We owe major props to Anne McCarthy and Mary Vernieu, the casting directors, who took on the project for free (noticing a theme here?). Anne & Mary were fabulous and kept plugging forward to put together the perfect cast for this small film.
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