Writer/Director Christopher Folkens’ debut feature film “Catalyst”, is a gritty, contained thriller that explores the dark storylines that headline modern life. ‘Catalyst’ is a psychological thriller set to premiere across all major TVOD platforms on Tuesday February 11th. The grounded sci-fi thriller film revolves around seven strangers who wake up surrounded by an electrical force field, with collars around their necks. With no escape in sight and their captors standing guard they must unfold their darkest truths to gain their freedom and save their lives before time runs out.
The film was shot in a stunningly unique manner. Principal photography began in June of 2017 where over seven hours of footage was shot on three cameras with 100% improvised dialogue. Those sequences were expertly cut together by director Christopher Folkens which created the skeleton of what would become the feature length script, (written by Folkens with story credits to producers David Bianchi and Enrico Natale). That script would independently fundraise and be shot over the next five years in a total of eight production days.
The film features a gripping performance by lead actor Michael Roark, (who stars as Alek), who is abducted by an organization known as “The Collective” and pulled into a series of psychological trials along with six other men. The men soon find out they have every reason to hate each other based on their dark pasts. As the mystery behind
their captivity unfolds, they must decide their path: choose one of them to die, or discover another way out to save them all.
“Catalyst” boasts powerful performances from veteran actors Noel Gugliemi (Fast and Furious), Patrick Kilpatrick (Minority Report) David Bianchi (Queen of The South) and Melanie Liburd (Bad Boys: Ride or Die).
Folkens says, “Catalyst is a wakeup call to humanity. It is designed to be a dramatic mirror of our lives. The film is coming out at a perfect time, because humanity is being tested like never before. Our team’s passion and persistence to tell this story of catharsis and redemption, is truly a testament to the resilience of the independent filmmaker. It is a reminder to dream big, and do whatever it takes.
Producer and starring actor David Bianchi recalls, “This film has been an artistic journey of a lifetime, we started prepping in shooting in 2016. The film explores extremely relevant issues we’re seeing everywhere in America today. Sadly the issues we fought for nine years ago are even more relevant now. I applaud our team and cast for their bravery and trust in our process.”
Producer Enrico Natale adds, “The puzzle the film presents is part of our own individual ‘inner work’ on this planet. I hope that our project helps people do better in their own lives, to help heal the world”
Catalyst won Best Feature Film, Best Cinematography and Best Ensemble Awards at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, Best First Feature Director and Best Thriller at the Los Angeles Film Awards, as well as a Telly Award for Craft Visual Effects. The film was beautifully lensed by cinematographers Juan Esco and Matthew Plaxco.
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