Experiencing Interruptions?

THE SMILE

Police Detective SARA ESTERLY is investigating a missing persons case when she is caught in a complicated web of corruption, and vigilantism.

  • Isaiah Gomez
    Director
  • Lauren White
    Key Cast
    "Detective Esterly"
  • Elijah Mason
    Key Cast
    "Abel"
  • David Horan
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Mercy Barrett"
  • Sam Seda
    Key Cast
    "The Smile"
  • Frank Gravagna
    Key Cast
    "Detective Miller"
  • Thaddues Salters
    Key Cast
    "Special Agent Tanner "
  • Isaiah Gomez
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    drama, crime, noir
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 45 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Montclair State University
Director Biography - Isaiah Gomez

Isaiah Gomez pursues a B.A. in Film and Television from Montclair State University, with an expected graduation of 2023. In June 2019, he graduated from Digital Film E.B. Tech • School of The Arts, a 4-year filmmaking program.

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Director Statement

"To whom much is given, much is required" or "With great power, there must also come great responsibility".

A lot of this story is about that idea, and how each of the characters interpret this. How interpretations and expressions are affected by class, and by their senses of identity - and ultimately a flaw of hubris.

In its simplest form, this is a noir fiction. Told in a one-off serial format. Think of it like jumping into the mid-season finale of a series (without prior nor proceeding episodes, of course).

But, I’m sure you’ll find its influences are quite obviously grander - a lot of material is inspired by graphic novels of the 80’s and 90’s. Two in specific - Watchmen, and Batman: Year One. This is because these stories are analyses of the moral implications that the ideas presented in superhero stories can have on a real world. I hope our story will do this to some degree as well.