WRITTEN BY : Mike Gerbino
DIRECTED BY : John Balazs
About the Film
Katie, a freelance video editor in desperate need of work, receives a high-paying offer to edit a cryptic and bizarre video from an anonymous employer. Strapped for cash and facing eviction, Katie eagerly accepts the gig. The video depicts people being tortured and even killed on camera — surely just elaborately staged fiction. But when the first job leads to even more lucrative work, and more disturbingly realistic snuff films, Katie’s life begins to crumble. Strange figures in her apartment, horrific nightmares keeping her awake, and a mysterious illness plaguing her cat. It’s only when Katie decides to finally quit the job that she learns just how cruel her anonymous employer really is, and to what bloody lengths she herself will go to get out of her contract.
Cast:
Katie - Nicole Pastor
Kevin - Jordan Fraser-Trumble
Guy - Stephen Degenaro
Tommy - Jasper Bagg
Film Details
Completed : 2023
Running Time : 110m
Country of Origin : Australia
Screener Link : Click HERE (password required)
Genre : Thriller
Festivals/Awards : Official selection for Monster Fest 2024
Director’s Statment
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Freelance would be my next film. The script possessed the qualities of a pure 90's style thriller, a genre and nuance that is less frequently seen in recent years. As a freelance editor myself, I related to Katie and her struggles and was confident in bringing her plight to the screen. The film offered me the chance to continue my exploration within the thriller genre, something I commenced with my debut feature RAGE in 2021, and to put into practice the lessons learnt from that experience. With the story being quite contained with minimal characters, locations, intimate set pieces and a story based in reality, I knew that the producers and I could deliver high production values with minimal cost across a 22 day shoot. As an ardent admirer of David Fincher, the cast and crew were aware very early on about the desired mood, feel and tone for the film. This is reflected in every aspect of the film from the wardrobe design to negative fill lighting, the minimalist electronic drones in the music to the title sequence that takes you inside the editing program. Whilst navigating budget and time restraints brought its own challenges, it also gave me the opportunity to problem solve in a creative way. Freelance for me was a chance to make a feature that is accessible to a wider audience whilst at the same time, exploring the genre further.
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