'Typhoon' Short Film Review

Film Threat • March 22, 2020

Just keep your story simple. When you don’t have the big bucks to tell your story, keep your production simple as well. Andy Kastelic’s short film, Typhoon, does just that.

Our story opens by an algae-ridden creek just outside of a state penitentiary. Magpie (Jack Forcinito) has just escaped and on the run. His movement is slow because he’s still cuffed and chained wearing that signature orange jumper. Magpie finds a place to sleep for the night in a small, partially-demolished shelter.

When morning comes, a young boy, Pete (Calvin Olson), is standing on a platform with a rope around his neck and one step away from ending it all. Magpie interrupts, telling Pete that the knot he tied won’t do the job. Magpie promises that if Pete can get him a tool to remove the cuffs, he’ll show him how to tie a proper knot.

Why was Magpie in prison? What is Pete trying to hang himself? You know the direction the short is taking at this point. This brief encounter soon turns into a sweet moment of redemption and salvation for the pair.

As a short, Typhoon is a beautiful story all around. Professionally-produced with exceptional cinematography, it’s just gorgeous to watch from beginning to end. Jack Forcinito gives a superb performance against the mute character of Calvin Olson’s Pete. There is sentimentality between the two but never overplayed. It’s also a testament to how filmmakers can get a lot from very little. Locations are not overly complicated shot in the outdoors by a river, along a road, and off the beaten path.

Typhoon is a story of two strangers looking for hope and finding it in each other. It’s definitely worth 16 minutes of your time.

By Alan Ng, © Film Threat