Experiencing Interruptions?

Secondborn

Aaron, a homophobic teenager, discovers his younger brother Sam is homosexual. Shortly after, that discovery is made public in their rural town. As folks are quick to disown and persecute Sam, including their father Dalton, Aaron must decide what is more important, blood or belief.

Dalton attempts to discipline Sam. He is more afraid of the town's persecution of his family than retribution from a higher power, however he uses the religion he barely practices as a self-righteous
justification for his refusal to accept Sam.

Aaron promises Sam he will protect him. However, when Sam decides to leave home after no longer feeling welcome, Aaron fails to keep his promise and does not go after Sam.

Some seemingly-friendly kids who are friends of Aaron's find Sam on the side of the road and offer him a ride to the lake, where they turn on him and forcefully begin dunking him under the water.

Aaron realizes he's made a mistake. Disregarding his Father's threats to disown him, Aaron steals Dalton's truck to find Sam. He arrives at the lake and finds an unconscious Sam laid on the rocks. Aaron tries administering CPR to no avail.

Weeks later, Dalton and Aaron have tried to rebuild their relationship. However, while Aaron has been grieving and blaming himself, Dalton has sunken into denial. Aaron, having had enough, lashes out at his father for his hypocrisy and refusal to claim Sam's body from the morgue, leading to a tense falling out between the two.

Upon returning home after work, Dalton finds Aaron's room cleared of his belongings. Dalton's tough exterior finally cracks as he realizes he has pushed away the last of his family.

Aaron, like the firstborn Cain of the Book of Genesis, faces a long road ahead of him after being partially responsible for his secondborn brother’s death.

  • Evan Galeano
    Director
    Talking to Strangers, Inhuman Traffick, Momentum
  • Evan Galeano
    Writer
    Talking to Strangers, Inhuman Traffick, Momentum
  • Niels Dyrskjoet
    Producer
    Borg vs Mcenroe,
  • Cameron Duckett
    Key Cast
    "Aaron "
    Rift, Groupers, Killer University
  • William Leon
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
    Grey's Anatomy, New Girl, True Blood, Modern Family, Play by Play, Those Who Can't, Breaking Legs
  • Todd Cattell
    Key Cast
    "Dalton"
    Justified, 24, Nip Tuck, The Terrain, The Isle of the Dead
  • Sidney Franklin
    Key Cast
    "John"
    Sons of Anarchy, Faking It, Stalked at 17
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Coming of Age, Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 7, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • San Diego State Emerging Filmmaker's Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    December 19, 2017
    North American Premiere
    Best Director, Best Producer, Best Ensemble in Direction and Performance
Director Biography - Evan Galeano

Evan transitioned from a focus in literature to filmmaking at the age of fifteen. During his time in SDSU's Film Program, Evan explored multiple genres, from horror, drama and action/thriller. He had a total of nine films premiere at the SDSU Best of the Best Festival, SDSU Emerging Filmmakers showcase, and Campus Movie Fest.

“Secondborn,” is a return to the writer/director’s dramatic, literary roots.

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Director Statement

Director’s Note

When I was in high school, a close friend of mine confided in me that he was homosexual, and confided in me of some issues he was having with his family accepting him. I was not prepared for what my friend had told me, as I myself was raised in a household that held negative views toward the LGBTQ community. This created a moral dilemma for me - a contradiction of beliefs. On one hand, I had been taught that this behavior was a sin and a choice . On the other hand, my close friend’s experience made me realize that what I had been previously taught - that this behavior was a sin and a choice - was a belief I no longer agreed with. I realized the destructive implications this belief had on every LGBTQ person. I realized that being there for my friend in his time of crisis was more important than any differences we had.

In doing more research, I found statistics that saw an increase in homeless and bullied LGBTQ teenagers who lived in specific regions and smaller, rural communities. In making this film, I want to create something that takes a different approach to the LGBTQ story, from the perspective of a someone struggling to between their deep-seated bigotry, and their own family member. I feel that the pressing issue of homophobia in smaller communities is something that many individuals in more progressive regions of the US may not be fully aware of.

Where “Secondborn” sets itself apart from other LGBT films is that it’s protagonist, Aaron, is not gay. He offers an objective view of two extremes, while also symbolizing the importance of the individual in swaying mob-mentality. Aaron represents newer generations in the United States who are waking up, beginning to realize that their voices matter and that they have a responsibility to help and support disenfranchised minorities, whether that be with LGBT issues or broader social issues currently dividing our country.

- Evan Galeano
Writer/Director of “Secondborn”