Private Project

Awake in the Dark

A surreal drama tinged with sci-fi, "Awake in the Dark" is a mysterious, atmospheric film that takes a personal look at nostalgia as a feeling of addiction, and the implications of revisiting this drug every night, in the form of dreams.

Don, a graduate student who lectures about the psychology of sleep during the day, finds himself haunted by troubling dreams at night. A figure from Don’s memories reappears behind closed eyes, forcing him to relive a traumatic memory again and again.

Although Don is consoled by his sister, Charlotte, a more permanent solution to his nightmares presents itself, through a bizarre service offered by a TV infomercial personality. When their paths collide, Don is left with a choice between his past and future, as he wrestles between dreams and memories.

  • Corey Koepper
    Director
  • Corey Koepper
    Writer
  • Nicholas Coogan
    Producer
    Secrets of the Universe (2012)
  • Corey Koepper
    Producer
  • Thomas Morris
    Key Cast
  • Kenzy Forman
    Key Cast
  • Tyler Frech
    Key Cast
  • Ann Marie Soltis
    Key Cast
  • Maggie Gough
    Key Cast
  • Allie Shepherd
    Key Cast
  • Nicholas Coogan
    Director of Photography
    Secrets of the Universe (2012)
  • Corey Koepper
    Editors
  • Nicholas Coogan
    Editors
    Secrets of the Universe (2012)
  • Malcolm Montgomery
    Lead Crew
  • Trent Welstead
    Lead Crew
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Sci-Fi
  • Runtime:
    50 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 5, 2015
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED 4K and Digital HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Progeny Film Festival
    Blacksburg, VA
    May 9, 2015
Director Biography - Corey Koepper

Corey, co-founder of production company Para Noir Pictures, is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY.

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Director Statement

A deeply personal and expressive project, our central objective with "Awake in the Dark" was to create a student film of profound interest to us, one that we hope will resonate with audiences emotionally and philosophically. Even on a limited budget, we believe films can be made that are as impactful, resonant, and visually compelling as any large-scale production. That is a belief we carried throughout the making of "Awake," and we couldn’t be more excited to share the outcome.

Thanks for watching!