Experiencing Interruptions?

Heal

Nick, a troubled teen living in rural Montana, doesn't understand what is happening to him. His mom, Cindy, and his court-appointed therapist, Dr. Vincent, see his erratic behavior as evidence of his waning mental health. When he fails to return home one night, the three of them must confront the possibility that Nick isn't getting better and might have already acted out on his old impulses. In a last-ditch effort to be understood, Nick does something that will alter all three of their lives forever.

  • Jordan Roth Halland
    Director
  • Jordan Roth Halland
    Writer
  • Heather Hertz Jackson
    Producer
  • Mike Jackson
    Producer
  • Sam McGhee
    Producer
  • Mitch Williams
    Producer
  • Ramsey Thoms
    Key Cast
    "Nick"
  • Emily Nash
    Key Cast
    "Cindy"
  • Billy Sprague Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Vincent"
  • Stella Santangelo
    Key Cast
    "Little Girl"
  • Sam McGhee
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, thriller
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    75,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jordan Roth Halland

Jordan Halland is a director, producer, and writer based in Idaho who has made a name for himself in the industry with his unique films and projects. He has crafted visually stunning documentaries that have been featured in Mountainfilm, Banff, and Vice, while also receiving two Vimeo Staff Picks for his work.

In addition to these accomplishments, Halland has taken on some truly ambitious projects such as illuminating glaciers with colored lights in Alaska for his experimental film, Brighter Night; filming river-surfers in Montana for his award-winning documentary, Strongwater; and creating visually stunning music videos for bands like Holiday Friends, Damien Jurado, Typhoon, Phosphorescent, and many more. He also uses his camera to grapple with the bigger questions we all deal with: whether it's his film Rusty's Ascent, which deals with a father asking if he is doing a good job, or They Are Us, his short film highlighting the struggle of asylum seekers arriving into the US, Jordan takes on uncomfortable subjects and shows how powerful the human spirit can actually be.

After a career as a documentarian, Jordan has taken his first step into narrative storytelling with his short film, "Heal," a gripping story about the lengths to which one will go to protect those they love.

Halland's films are marked by his emotional drive and his belief that the only thing that can change the world is story. His fearless attitude allows him to venture into unknown places which result in captivating stories that emotionally move audiences around the world.

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Director Statement

Heal is a story that I have been working through in my head for most of my adult life, like a puzzle that I would tinker with whenever I had a free moment. It was a way for me to wrestle with the questions and doubts I had in navigating parenthood, faith, and regret.

At a certain point, I knew that if I was going to make this movie, I would need other people to tinker with Heal, to get obsessed with it. So, I started sharing the script with friends and colleagues. Most would pay me a compliment then move on, but a few got obsessed. They would text me in the middle of the night with a new idea or a line or ask me why a certain moment had to happen. These are the people who in the end would help me make Heal.

Although many of us had worked in production, none of us had experience creating a narrative film. I couldn't imagine making "Heal" with anyone else. Every morning, I would walk onto set and be humbled by the talent and effort of our team. "Heal" has become all of our puzzles to solve, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience in making my first film.

Jordan Halland
Director, DP, Ice Enthusiast