Short Films under 40 minutes

The Deft

Thriller

15 mins

United States

English

Trailer

Play Video

Synopsis

Siblings Zach and Esther struggle to deal with the emotional impact of their father’s recent death. While they attempt to cope in different ways their sibling bond deteriorates after Zach’s friend, Carter, moves back to town.

Stills

Title:

The Deft

Original Title:

Deft

Production Year:

2020

Director:

E.N. Reynolds

Casts:

Dawson Ehlke – “Zach” (Christmas Break In, Next Door, The Unicorn, Emily, We are Kickball, Master Servant, Oh My Stars, Dust and Ashes)

Elora Riley – “Esther” (Away We Go, Haunting the Haunted, Nite Out, Oregon Road, Fem 101, Utopia Planetia)

Dominic Rodgers – “Carter”

Joseph Bezenek – “Detective Rogers” (The Lumber Baron, Aperture Part 1, Satellite Drop, Mogadishu Minnesota)

Veronica Wayne – “Dr. Terzinski” (The Christmas You Don’t Know, Patterns of the Heart, Mine and Yours)

Producer:

Ruth Maramis (Hearts Want, Master Servant), E.N. Reynolds (The Chancla, Good & Truly, Girl Stuff, Minor Mysteries, Patterns of the Heart), Nathan Lipinski, Josh Helmer, Brian Aseltine

Writer:

E.N. Reynolds (The Chancla, Minor Mysteries, Good and Truly, Catching Pears)

Editor:

John Lampson and Sebastian Schnabel

Dir. of Photography:

Thomas “T.J.” Schwingle (Duel; Clear; Selfied; Trophy Husband; In an Instant; Dawning; Midnight Chronicles)

Director's Interview

Play Video

Festival:

2020

Category:

Short Films under 40 minutes

Country:

United States

Language:

English

Director's Statement

Even from a young age I have been inspired to write and create new worlds through storytelling. After a sit down pitch meeting with a producer who was interested in my feature film script, he asked me why I would want to direct the film when I had never directed a psychological thriller before. I replied to him that women, in general, have not been given the same opportunities to direct films, let alone psychological thrillers. It was after that meeting that I decided to write and direct my short film, The Deft. Instead of complaining or giving up after I was questioned about my capabilities, I took it as a challenge in order to prove that female writers/directors are just as capable as the men in successfully creating a film in the psychological thriller genre. I hope that this film offers suspense and intrigue, and will delight all fans of psychological thrillers.
E.N. Reynolds