IMPOSSIBILITY:POSSIBILITY
“ Writer-Director-Editor Sweeney doesn’t philosophise his plot besides the opening quote. He lets his camera do the talking, letting the narrative ebb and flow around it. By the end of it, we are convinced of what we knew all along, that addiction can never be helpful and yet, sometimes, just sometimes, in the comforting respite it offers, it makes sense why so many opt for it. By bringing in the technological dependence of contemporary times, Sweeney smartly sows the seed of digital and technological addiction that is plaguing the present generation without turning the story into the rhetoric of sorts.”
Read full review at Indie Shorts Mag.
SYNOPSIS
A widower struggling to cope with a life-changing event, finds himself taking refuge in a new technology that allows him to revisit that particular moment in time. Developing into an addiction, this becomes his only source of joy clinging on like life depends on it, and perhaps, at an emotional and mental level, it does. This is a paradoxical tale of hopelessness, and a glimpse into what the future of technology might hold in our society.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The idea for Impossibility:Possibility arose one evening at a restaurant when I looked around to see everyone glued to their cellphones. In that moment, I wondered what a future where humans are 100% dependent on technology would look like: what this technology would be and how would it be applied to our lives?
Just how narcotics or alcohol can become addicting, I see present-day similarities to the relationship we have with our cell phones and current technology. This script was developed with this idea in mind, and how addiction is used for many to cope with depression or personal loss. We are currently at a turning point in the world of technology and how it is used it in our day-to-day lives. Our youth is growing up in the digital world and are surrounded by screens, computers, and gadgets from birth, which I see leading quickly to dependence.
The experience that is communicated through Impossibility:Possibility is a paradox, the feeling of being stuck in a loop of horror. The film is meant to be a glimpse into a man’s life after the loss of his wife, a constant cycle of love versus loss caused by his addiction to a new form of technology.
SHORTED WRITE UP
The short film exhibits a unique idea, experimental storytelling and seamless editing. The story is of a man who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife, and finds himself taking refuge in revisiting a particular memory of her. The narrative opens with a quote that is a disturbing reiteration of the premise of the film - allowing yourself to be engulfed by a moment of pain to the extent of it turning into an addiction. This addiction, in the process, becomes the only source of joy the protagonist clings on to like his life depends on it, and perhaps, at an emotional and mental level, it does.
Impossibility: Possibility invokes the cyclical nature of addiction, and how, despite the path of destruction it might potentially be leading the protagonist to, it has now become the sole purpose of why he gets out of bed every morning. Further, it is an attempt to give a glimpse of the far-reaching consequences of the deep infestation of technology in our lives, while also engaging with a man's attempts to cope with loss, grief and a battle with mental illness. While technology might make even the most impossible tasks possible, are we prepared to face all that it truly entails? (For more info)
CAST
Isaac - Shawn Scahill
Michelle - Leigh Wulff
PRODUCTION COMPANY
CREW
Executive Producer - Brendan Sweeney
Producers - Luke Wyatt, Tara Wyatt
Unit Production Manager - Tara Wyatt
Director/Writer - Brendan Sweeney
Assistant Director - Luke Wyatt
Director of Photography - Brendan Riel
1st AC - Allen Chodakowski
2nd AC/Loader - Greg Unger
Gaffer - Bobby Baldanza
Key Grip - Andrew Stavis
Swing - Ryan Sadler
Key Hair & Makeup - Ashley Besh
Sound Recordist- Christopher Marino
Editor - Brendan Sweeney
Sound Design - Christopher Marino
Colorist - Jacob McKee
Production Assistant - Christian Pittman
Production Assistant - Nora Sweeney
MUSIC
“Jazz Ballad - Soulful Sax No 2 - Slow Minor Tenor Sax Solo” by Jim Madsen
FESTIVAL SELECTION AND ACCOLADES
2019 Oaxaca Film Festival Official Selection
2019 No Fear Film Official Selection
2019 jellyFEST Semi-Finalist Selection
2019 Los Angeles Cinefest Semi-Finalist Selection
2020 Shorted “Short Film of the Day” Official Selection
2019 Film Shortage Featured Daily Pick
2019 Viddsee Online Selection
Indie Shorts Mag Film Review
BTS PHOTOS
