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Mute

Mute follows a middle aged woman as she unloads the details of her husband's infidelity on a deaf hitchhiker. What starts as just a ride becomes something much more sinister.
Mute is based on the short story of the same name by Stephen King, acquired through his Dollar Baby program for emerging filmmakers.

  • Constance Hilton
    Director
  • Constance Hilton
    Writer
  • Cynthia Preston
    Producer
  • David Senior Jr.
    Producer
  • Cynthia Preston
    Key Cast
  • Amanda Richer
    Key Cast
  • Josh Vokey
    Key Cast
  • Randy Butcher
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Mystery, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 30, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, DSLR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • St. John's International Women's Film Festival
    St. John's
    Canada
    October 14, 2020
  • Imagine This Women's Film Festival
    Brooklyn
    United States
    September 25, 2020
    Winner: Best Thriller
  • Nickel Independent Film Festival
    St. John's
    Canada
    July 24, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Oakville Festivals of Film & Art
    Oakville
    Canada
    June 17, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hollywood North Film Awards
    Toronto
    Canada
    Nomination: Cynthia Preston, Best Performance Canadian Short Film
  • Shnit Worldwide Short Film Festival
    Bern
    Switzerland
    October 15, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Canada Shorts - Canadian & International Short Film Fest.

    Award of Commendation
  • Toronto International Women Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    February 18, 2021
    Honourable Mention
  • Blue Ridge Film Festival
    Blue Rudge, Georgia
    United States
    February 26, 2021
  • WorldFest - Houston International Film Festival
    Houston, Texas
    United States
    April 22, 2021
    Platinum Remi Award Winner
  • UK Monthly Film Festival
    Norwich, Norfolk
    United Kingdom
    May 1, 2021
  • Lady Filmmakers Festival
    Beverly Hills, California
    United States
    September 22, 2021
  • Big Sound International Film Festival
    Perry Sound, Ontario
    Canada
    October 2, 2021
  • Ottawa Canadian Film Festival
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Canada
    November 5, 2021
Director Biography - Constance Hilton

Constance Hilton is an emerging director with over a decade of industry experience working as a Boom Operator. Based in Toronto, Canada her Sound credits include the Emmy nominated comedy series Schitt's Creek and sci-fi thriller Orphan Black. Born and raised near Hamilton, Ontario, Constance graduated from Sheridan College's Media Arts program in 2007 before beginning her career in film. She currently serves as VP Sound for the Ontario union of film, television and new media technicians, NABET 700-M UNIFOR.

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Director Statement

Mute was a story that I fell in love with while trying to write and build an idea for my first experience directing. Adapting a work felt safe, in a way, because I could tackle something that wasn't "mine". And then I stumbled across this short story that just resonated. I loved that it contained complexities in relationships and muddied the waters on who is and isn't at fault when things fall apart. It also allowed me to ask questions about the people we assume are victims and villains, and how those assumptions can be manipulated. Adaptation subverted my expectations and I ended up creating something that felt more like "mine" than anything else.

The process for filming Mute began with coffee and a pitch of "Let's make a movie!" to my endlessly optimistic Production Manager Dave and incredible DOP Alona. I'm indebted to Alona not only for her work, but also for getting my script into the hands of Cynthia, our lead. So much of the film hinges on her performance and I'm still in awe of what Cynthia delivered. Next, casting Josh as our detective was an easy decision, having worked together previously, knowing he could find the sympathetic heart in a stern detective. Finding Amanda, our hitchhiker, was a longer process. I was adamant that we needed to cast a deaf/hoh actor for the role. We reached out through multiple organizations and social media to find the right person. It was chance that got Amanda into the casting room, but it was clear to everyone that she was exactly who we had been looking for. Finally I need to thank Randy for agreeing to be our dead body and off screen punching bag.

From the very beginning I set out to work with only the best people I knew. I'm so grateful for the team I had on this film. Their skill and hard work was essential to making my first project a dream. I’m also incredibly thankful that everyone agreed to show up. Four days, mostly outdoors, in sub zero temperatures is not an easy sell. I promise to film something when it's warm next time.