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Phoenix Film Festival 2018 - CHIMERA review

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2018
Directed and Written By: Maurice Haeems
Cinematographer: David Kruta
Starring: Henry Ian Cusick, Kathleen Quinlan, Jenna Harrison, Karishma Ahluwalia, and Erika Ervin

Films are often gateways to curiosity. Entry points for abstract concepts and a way for opaque theories to be presented in a palatable format. Science Fiction lives in the world of our collective imaginations and introduces us to the "what if's" we have yet to conceive. In CHIMERA director, Maurice Haeems has taken years of real-world research from labs and universities around the planet to contemplate the next major breakthrough in medical innovation, stem cell research. This contentious area of work presents one of the most controversial and potentially significant therapies introduced in generations.

Quint (Cusick), an equally ingenious and desperate scientist pushes (and crosses) the borders of ethical behavior in an attempt to save his children. The good doctor first experiments with transplanting animal organs and editing their genome, it’s an impetuous calculation motivated by fear of loss and frenzy. His children's health continues to deteriorate with each attempt and he pushes further and further away from the realm of principled behavior. Without any other recourse, he is self-indoctrinated to believe the key to immortality lies within a jellyfish. The film is a ticking time clock of one man's race to save the lives of those who matter most.

A small intimate setting underscores the films greatest strength, the performances. Cusick (as Quint) is saddled with the task of being the audience's entry into the story while spiraling further into a manic rage with each passing scene. Placed in the hands of a lesser actor the character could have been downright annoying. However, Cusick breathes humanity and pathos into every moment, creating a questionable but sympathetic individual that feels utterly real. Quinlan (as Masterson) chews up and steals every scene. Her character is the antithesis of Quint and the perfect adversary.
Much like PRIMER, CHIMERA is a pocket-sized science fiction thriller more concerned with the exploration of ideas than special effects.

Upcoming Festival Screenings:



Phoenix Film Festival

Theatre 4 - Harkins Scottsdale 101

7000 E Mayo Blvd Phoenix, AZ, USA

Friday, April 13 • 11:20am

Saturday, April 14 • 1:25pm

Sunday, April 15 • 2:10pm

All screenings will have a Q&A with writer-director Maurice Haeems

and actress Erika Ervin a.k.a. Amazon Eve.



Sci-Fi London Film Festival (Opening Night Film)

Stratford Picturehouse – East London

Salway Road, London E15 1BX, UK

Tuesday, May 1• 7:00 pm

Followed by a Q&A with writer-director Maurice Haeems and actress Jenna Harrison.



NYC Independent Film Festival

Producers Club – Theatre G

358 West 44th Street, New York, NY, USA

Wednesday, May 9 • 6:45pm

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