Broken (2005/I)

Director:

Alex Ferrari

Writers:

Alex Ferrari (story)
Jorge F. Rodriguez (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 February 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Action | Crime | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

What if your truth... were a lie?

Plot:

A gun blast, a flash of light, and a young woman awakens to the comfort of her own bed. Bonnie Clayton has it all...

Plot Keywords:

Suspense | Visual Effect | Weapons Training | Villain | The Matrix

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Samantha Jane Polay	...	Bonnie
Paul Gordon	...	Duncan
Amber Crawford	...	Marquez
Derek Evans	...	Christian
Tony Gomez	...	Gabriel
Jose Luis Navas	...	Snake
Danilo Begovic	...	Pinball
Stephan Morris	...	Shamon
Ruben Gomez	...	Penance
Ken Robkin	...	Ukyo
Eric Townsend	...	Kangol Guy
Howard Dobinsky	...	Doctor
Deidre Washington	...	Nurse
Toby Burge	...	Orderly #1
Jorge Carcases	...	Orderly #2

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

A.G. Holley Hospital - 1199 W. Lantana Road, Lantana, Florida, USA

Company:

Enigma Factory, The

Trivia:

Won the "Best Thriller" at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival 2007

Quotes:

Duncan: You know my therapist says the exact same thing... can't let go of the past, can't move on. I need closure.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Broken: Finding Your Shot - A Director's Best Friend (2005) (V)

Broken DVD 10/10 - A must for any indie filmmaker or film buff!!

"Broken" is a great "how to" disc. While the short film is cool, it really works better in conjunction with the DVD that offers great insight into how to make your own action/thriller on a small budget. Made for reportedly $8,000.00, director Alex Ferrari has crammed in some 100 special visual effects shots. And it looks terrific leaving you wanting more.

The story involves Bonnie who wakes up in her darkened apartment to be abducted by strange and dangerous folks. Skip forward to a warehouse or secret facility of some sort where Bonnie is strapped to an antique wheelchair surrounded by even more dangerous killers all of whom want a piece of her. But she doesn't know why. And neither do we. In time, she will be killed but the sadistic bastards want to have fun with her first.

More of a teaching film, "Broken" serves as the platform for special effects talent, director, and co-writer Ferrari to educate us on how everything is done. The amazingly power packed DVD is extremely instructive and even fascinating. Use of split screen showing the rehearsal and the finished scene is interesting and Ferrari humbly provides insight into the workings of making a action/thriller with little money.

I especially liked the recipe offered for making your own "guacamole gun." For those of you not familiar with this gun, it's a device that simulates what happens when a person is shot by a gun. It's gross and funny to see the experimentation process for the creation of this useful device.

Anyone who is thinking about making an action/thriller ought to have the "Broken" DVD in their library.

The Disc A must for anyone intending to make their own low budget action/thriller or anyone whose just curious about the subject.

Picture Quality: 10/10 The transfer is crisp and the picture lush. There is a portion of the DVD devoted to making DV look like film.

Sound Quality: 10/10 Sound was even good on extras shot during rehearsals. Of course, there is a portion of the disc devoted to sound and syncing.

Extra Features: 10/10 A teaching disc that includes fantastic extras.

The Final Word:

I liked the short movie fine, but when combined with a dynamite DVD loaded with extras that are content rich, this should be a essential part of any independent filmmaker's library.

Jonathan W. Hickman - http://www.einsiders.com