Private Project

The Apostate

A 19th century trapper ventures deep into unexplored forests to hunt. But as the trapper delves deeper into the woods, unexplained phenomenons occur that will test his faith and will.

  • Liam Nee
    Director
    What Remains, Whitepill, Bluebird
  • Liam Nee
    Writer
    What Remains, Whitepill, Bluebird
  • Jacob Lazarow
    Producer
    The Abyss of Man, BATHOS, ECHOES, Naked Singularity
  • Daniel Lando
    Director of Photography
    The Abyss of Man, Bluebird, Whitepill
  • Levi Hogan
    Key Cast
    "The Hunter"
    The Fallen, Valley of the Slaughter
  • Greta Guthrie
    Key Cast
    "Woman in White/Voice of the Monster"
  • Olivia Gude
    Key Cast
    "The Monster"
  • Omkar Purandare
    Key Cast
    "The Monster"
  • Nick Sivak
    Edited By
    The Abyss of Man, Sugarcoated
  • Jacob Lazarow
    Assistant Director
    The Abyss of Man, BATHOS, ECHOES, Naked Singularity
  • Adam Myers
    Script Supervisor
    What Remains, Mania, The Abyss of Man
  • Bri Wiegand
    Sound Recordist
    War Drum Peace Drum
  • Adam Myers
    Boom Operators
  • Nick Sivak
    Boom Operators
  • Olivia Gude
    Boom Operators
  • Jack Staley
    Key Grip
  • Greta Guthrie
    Makeup
  • Bri Wiegand
    Original Score by
    War Drum Peace Drum
  • Greta Guthrie
    Production Assistants
  • Olivia Gude
    Production Assistants
  • Omkar Purandare
    Production Assistants
  • Ted Rosenblum
    Production Assistants
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, drama, period piece
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    712 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Liam Nee

Liam has had a varied background in several aspects of the filmmaking industry. While he has spent
most of his career in the sound department, he has never let this limit him from venturing to make his
own films. His first film This Wild Life was selected to be shown in the Blue & While Film Festival,
among others. The Apostate is Liam’s first dive into narrative filmmaking.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I’ve always been connected to my roots as a filmmaker. Sometimes its not as clear depending on the project, but I try use my background as a source of inspiration. For The Apostate, this story was connected very close to home not only for its setting, but for the themes and conventions the story it attempting to tell.

I was baptized Roman Catholic, and attended Church regularly as a youth, but for some reason I could never connect with what the Priest was trying to say about the Lord. As I grew older, I became more aware of the history of the catholic Church and the overall Chritian Religion, especially in my region. It was here I learned about the extreme Protestant faith that had a grip on Colonial America right up to the Enlightenment. I became fascinated with the culture and their unique obsession with their faith. For many back home it’s a normal to hear stories from this time, hearing about the early Pennsylvania settlements to their lifestyle. I’ve always wanted to tell a story that takes place directly from this unique moment in our history, and I’ve tried to accomplish that with The Apostate.

First and foremost, this is a horror film. It may not fit into the regular convention of what a horror film is, but there is no other way to tell this story other than with horror elements. When I
was younger I would be too scared to watch movies, but after years of denial I realized that my love for horror films was something special. There’s a certain feeling I get when watching a truly great horror piece, and that feeling usually comes from the uniqueness of how these horror elements are
presented to me.

In my eyes, what makes a great horror film is when they completely go outside the box and bring something horrifying to the table that no one has seen before. I’ve always tried to be and experimental filmmaker, I find I’m doing my best work when I am not boxed in my any rules. With The Apostate, I’ve tried to present my own take on horror, as well as present a commentary on the human condition with faith.