Firecracker (film)

Infobox Film
name = FIRECRACKER


caption =
director = Steve Balderson
producer = Beth Wittig
Steve Balderson
Clark Balderson
Jennifer Dreiling
Daniel Holmgren
Jerry P. Magana

writer = Steve Balderson
starring = Karen Black
Mike Patton
Susan Traylor
Jak Kendall
music = Justin R. Durban
cinematography = Jonah Torreano
editing = Steve Balderson
distributor = Dikenga Films
First Look Studios
released = 2005
runtime = 112 min.
language = English
budget = US$350,000
preceded_by =
followed_by =
mpaa_rating = unrated
tv_rating =
imdb_id = 0204322

"Firecracker" is a film directed by Steve Balderson.

ynopsis

"Firecracker" is a tale of murder in small town Wamego, Kansas. Set against the stark beauty of Middle America, this story of abuse, suffering and denial reveals dreams of escape. The inevitable confrontation unleashes the truth concealed behind the pleasant façade of small-town U.S.A.

Meek, reclusive and talented Jimmy (Jak Kendall) is emotionally imprisoned by his abusive, alcoholic older brother David (Mike Patton) – and fanatically religious mother Eleanor (Karen Black). With evil lurking in the shadows, the setting sun gives way to the blue of evening and Jimmy finds escape in the neon glow of a traveling sideshow carnival. Unlike its drab, depressing daytime reality, the carnival becomes a nightly glittering solitaire on the prairie, beckoning all around to its illusions and make-believe. With a guise of red satin and the lure of a heavenly voice, Sandra (also Karen Black), billed as an “oddity of nature,” is the carnival’s premier attraction. Yearning for a way out, Jimmy befriends Sandra, unaware that her imprisonment and degradation, at the hands of Frank (also Mike Patton), the carnival owner, mirror his own. Sandra, taken by his innocence, finds her own inner strength and suppressed dreams. When David disappears, the metaphorical white-picket fences collapse, leaving raw emotions exposed to the spark of truth.

Throughout it all Police Chief Ed (played by Susan Traylor) searches for truth, uncovering bits of evidence suggesting deceit, abuse, murder and cover-up. As her investigation leads her closer to the truth, the lives of those involved become lit fuses – until they explode, one-by-one.

Critical reaction

Finished in 2005 and released in the first-ever "Freak Show Tour" exclusively in Landmark Cinemas, and was released on DVD in 2006. Preeminent film critic Roger Ebert called it “Brilliant” and named "Firecracker" on his list of the year’s best films. [ [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/COMMENTARY/512180302 Ebert's Best 10 Movies of 2005 ] ]

Hailed as a “masterpiece” [ [http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=7771 Firecracker] ] and “told by a story teller who has a nascent finger on the pulse of contemporary cinema“ (Aftertaste magazine), Firecracker premiered at London’s Raindance Film Festival, to sold out crowds, where it won a Jury Prize nomination for Best Picture. It also won numerous awards on the festival circuit worldwide including: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Actress for Karen Black, and director Steve Balderson won the 2005 Domani Vision Award for emerging talent at Tribeca’s Visionfest.

Awards

* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Domani Vision Award (Steve Balderson)
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Film
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Actress (Karen Black)
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Cinematography
* 2005 Fantasporto - Winner Best Actress (Karen Black)
* 2005 Fantasporto – Best Film Nomination
* 2004 Raindance Film Festival – Best Film Jury Prize Nomination

References

External links

* [http://www.dikenga.com Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/dikengafilms MySpace (Dikenga Films)] "
* [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/REVIEWS/508170301 Roger Ebert review]