What with Hollywood running out of ideas and turning literally anything in to a movie including novelty toys we’ve long forgotten about (ahem–Magic 8 Ball), the studios are doing what we’ve been telling them to do for years now: they’re seeking out independent filmmakers for ideas. So now what with the surge of independent filmmakers retreating to Youtube to post their ambitious projects for free viewing, studios are snatching up these properties in hopes of coming up with the next big blockbuster. I mean… it turned out pretty well for “Paranormal Activity” and “District 9,” didn’t it?
Ricardo de Montreuil’s science fiction short is yet another indie success story, a prologue to a bigger scope of a science fiction film that has now been bought by Universal Studios and is being produced and probably will star Mark Wahlberg. For what it is, “The Raven” is a rather fantastic short film that is short on plot, but pretty dynamic on special effects. In only six minutes Montreuil manages to establish an entire world and a heroic character in what is a pretty formula but entertaining little back story. Chris Black is a man on the run from a totalitarian government in futuristic Los Angeles and he pretty much spends the entire film running from robotic drones and soldiers all of whom will do whatever it takes to put a stop to him.
The government obviously feels he’s a threat, and he shows it when he’s put in to a corner and manages to display an enormous range of powers including telepathy that he uses in great times of stress to bring down whatever robotic soldier is on his tail. Monreuil directs with a gritty flair that makes this feel like a Luc Besson “District B13” production, all the while setting up a potentially rich in mythos epic about a super powered being potentially being the last hope for a society that’s being run by a strict government. “The Raven” for a six minute film is pretty damn eye catching and features some rather sharp set pieces and special effects that enhance the story and puts up the potential for a larger tale.
How this will translate in to a two hour big budget epic? Time will only tell. With the dozens upon dozens of independent filmmakers out there begging for a big break, I hope studios will take the cue from money makers and Oscar contenders that began as mini-budget independent fare and begin mining the vast array of incredible ideas just waiting to be turned in to the next “Star Wars.” Ricardo de Montreuil’s “The Raven” is proof that there are still great ideas out there with potential for something vast.