Private Project

Space Cadet 911

Confined to his home, a young boy spends his long days dreaming of the outside world until he finds himself intrigued by a tape recorder that he is not allowed to use.

  • Xavier Terhorst
    Director
  • Xavier Terhorst
    Writer
  • Xavier Terhorst
    Producer
  • Ranen Navat
    Key Cast
    "Boy"
  • Michael Jon Murphy
    Key Cast
    "Father"
  • Anastasia Chernaya
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 6, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Xavier Terhorst

Xavier Terhorst (2000) is a young director and screenwriter from Las Vegas, NV and an alumni from the Los Angeles Film School.

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Director Statement

As a filmmaker, I believe it is our responsibility to explore such cruel narratives, not to exploit or sensationalize them, but to convey the impact of the emotional and psychological trauma. This film delves into the depths of a child's psyche, exploring the impact of living in a manufactured reality. After escaping a manipulative abductor, the child finds himself facing the aftermath and grappling with an entirely new and unfamiliar reality—one that challenges the very essence of the child’s identity, beliefs, and perceptions.

With careful attention to visual aesthetics, sound design, and sensitive performances, "Space Cadet 911" immerses the audience into the boy’s disorienting journey, evoking a range of emotions from confusion to disbelief. My foremost intention was to create a compelling narrative that raises awareness about the insidious nature of child manipulation.