Heaven Gallery

A Science Fiction Melodrama directed by Clara Alcott

Kick is a short film by Clara Alcott. A science fiction melodrama, the piece deals with two women who have a psychic connection before they meet. The title "Kick" references a pregnancy in the story as well as the creative instinct or "kick".

Bookended by the images of a feverish dream, Kick is a meditative piece that explores themes of fear, passion and the desire to connect. Although a short piece, the film has the frenzied narrative of the classic woman-centered melodrama. Kick follows the story of Joselyn and Josephine, two women who have grown to fear the technical devices used in everyday life. Aware that technology has become an established part of contemporary relationships, their anxieties have isolated them and their most significant relationship is with their therapist Dr. Griffin. Always shot with a green gel, Dr. Griffin's treatment is possibly sinister. Initially unaware of each other the two women are drawn together. The emotive Joselyn has a reoccurring, terrifying dream featuring Josephine. Eventually the women meet after Dr. Griffin conducts a surreal therapy session with Josephine. Dr. Griffin is either aware of or in control of Joselyn's dream and psychic connection with Josephine. Dr. Griffin is mindful of Joselyn and Josephine's isolation and comes to learn that both women secretly desire to have children. As the women begin a friendship with each other they become confident in themselves and what their body's are capable of.
A visual and sonic experience, Kick utilizes the colors of traditional 1950s technicolor filmmaking along with a contemporary electronic score and experimental sound design. Douglas Sirk, the architect of 1950s Hollywood melodrama created a lush genre to experiment with. Shot on mini-dv, Kick works within as well as customizes the genre for a contemporary story and theme. The set dressing, wardrobe and cinematography comprise a warm and vibrant palate for the setting of the film. To enhance the element of apprehension with machines an electronic sound design runs throughout the film. Composer Marc Riordan's score is a mixture of a classic Hollywood drama score but with touches of horror and science-fiction accents. Todd Carter of the lap top group TV Pow, engineered and mixed the piece as well as provided the sound design. Kick features Sarah Weis as Joselyn, Jeff Norman as Dr. Griffin and Andrew Taylor as Dr. Reynolds.

www.facebook.com/kickthemovie

Kick May 29th, 2010
9pm
$5 suggested donation

Lemonade and Iced Tea will be served.