“We're here to help them survive. We're here to free them.” These compelling words set the stage for “Escape Attempt,” an impressive indie sci-fi short film co-directed by Dan Shapiro and Alex Topaller. Premiered at the 2023 Sitges Film Festival, this 30-minute cinematic gem has already snagged prestigious awards, including the Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi Film at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and Grand Prize at FilmQuest Film Festival.
In “Escape Attempt,” a soldier makes a daring escape from a WWII concentration camp only to find himself catapulted into an unknown planet in the distant future. This isn't your typical freedom run; our hero now faces a frozen gulag controlled by a brutal alien race. The movie, starring Andrzej Chyra, Anna Burnett, Ieuan Coombs, and Piotr Witkowski, seamlessly blends historical drama with futuristic sci-fi, creating a narrative that's both gripping and thought-provoking.
Visually, “Escape Attempt” is a feast for the eyes. The sleek designs of the spacecraft and the meticulous world-building are testaments to the creative prowess of Aggressive, the NYC-based design studio behind the film. The film's VFX are top-notch, enhancing the storytelling without overshadowing it.
The screenplay, crafted by Christina Lazaridi, Dan Shapiro, and Alex Topaller, is based on a 1962 novel by the renowned brothers Arkadiy and Boris Strugatskiy. This rich source material provides a robust foundation for the film's narrative, ensuring depth and intrigue at every turn.
While we eagerly await the full release, “Escape Attempt” continues to make waves on the festival circuit. Its next stop is the International Science-Fiction Short Film Showcase 2024 at Fantasia in Montreal. If you're a fan of cerebral sci-fi with a penchant for historical twists, this film is an absolute must-see. Stay tuned for updates on the final release date and get ready to embark on a mind-bending journey from the past to the far reaches of the future.
For more details and the official trailer, head over to the Aggressive site. Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!
