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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Late this past March, I was asked to view an independent film titled, Echoes of Violence. Nicholas Woods is the writer, producer, and director of this feature-length project. After watching a trailer, I agreed to write a review on it. It took me a while to see it, but we are finally here. I got to see it earlier this week, and my, it is better than I had expected.
I will not discuss spoilers in this article, as its title suggests. Although, I would still advise the reader to be wary if any come up.
Plot Summary
Here is the logline for the film, as per the Echoes of Silence press notes.
An immigrant travels from Sedona to Los Angeles looking for revenge upon the immigration lawyer who ruined her life.
Additionally, below is the short synopsis of the film.
Echoes of Violence tells the story of Marakya, found bloody in the Sedona deserts by real-estate agent Alex, and their journey to Los Angeles to find those who have recently wronged her. Alex agrees to help Marakya leaving Sedona quickly as they are pursued by the man hired to kill her, Kellin. Kellin, an ex-Marine turned driver for a dangerous sex trafficker masked as an immigration lawyer, Anthony, needs money to save his ailing father. To get the money needed for his father Kellin agrees to take a young girl who has been causing Anthony trouble to the desert and kill her. Marakya escapes and travels back to Los Angeles to kill Anthony so once and for all she can be free.
Characters
South African actress Michaella Russell plays the film’s lead female character, Marakya. Heston Horwin portrays Alex Castillo, while Chase Cargill plays Kellin. Taylor Flowers plays the film’s primary antagonist, Anthony.
In smaller roles, Anthony’s parents are Sue and Dante, played by Amy Tolsky and Frank Oz, respectively. Oz’s son Cooper Oznowicz portrays Troy, a man who has an appointment with his partner, Cynthia, to see Alex’s Sedona desert leasing office. Latoshia Hill portrays Cynthia, Troy’s partner.
Sam Anderson plays Conroy. Verity Branco and DeJean Brown respectively play Lori and Terrance, two individuals at Kellin’s support group. Sean Dillingham portrays Johnathan, a man hired by Anthony to help Kellin fix his mistake. Graham Clarke appears as Ken, a man who sells guns that Kellin knows.
Discussion
I would like to begin my discussion by saying, “Wow!” As soon as the film started, I was in awe of Sten Olson’s cinematography and Tyler Rydosz’s musical composition. Chelsea McGough adds to the composition, while Eric Malczewski is the film’s sound designer. I also enjoyed Alex Gans’s editing and Tom Wyman’s production design. Altogether, I like how these cinematic elements were combined.
In terms of writing, I like Woods’s use of in medias res. (This is pretty much Latin for how the film is told out of order.) We get narratives of the story from different points of view. The film starts off with Horwin’s character, which transitions to the backstory of Cargill’s and Russell’s respective characters. There are some awkwardnesses, although to be frank, it’s seldom and so few that you won’t find them. All I know is that they’re there but are difficult to locate.
Performances and Character Development
I like Horwin’s performance and how Castillo is just a real-estate agent minding his own business. He’s always trying to do the right thing by himself, his family, and the people he encounters. I also enjoyed Cargill’s Kellin, who also has the same goal in mind. The only difference is he lets out his frustrations, such as when he is trying to make ends meet for himself and those around him. Also, his part of the story opens with a monologue from a female character, Branco’s Lori. This confused me as I thought we would see more of her as well as Brown’s Terrance. However, that isn’t so much the case.
Russell delivers the most terrific performance amongst the trio of protagonists. The focus on her character doesn’t come right away, but once she appears in the film, the viewer is curious as to what happened to her.
Flowers is just a good enough antagonist and even surprises me with his fate in the film’s conclusion. With that said, the only scene where he doesn’t perform at his best is when he shares one with Frank Oz. I can’t blame him. I mean, how can you do that to THE Frank Oz? It’s rare for me personally to see him outside of voice acting Yoda and several of the Muppets. To see him in a physical live-action role is tremendous. In fact, I was a little more scared of his character than I was with Flowers’s.
Final Thoughts
I do have thoughts and minimal concerns with the film’s title, but it isn’t so much of an issue. In its essence, the film is about “The American Dream,” which is a desire that Russell’s Marakya has. The concept of such a thing and the United States itself is essentially flawed. However, some of us still like to see them as that beacon of hope as presented in the media. Such echoes are the ringing sounds that alarm an individual to come to the rescue when another is in need.
In Woods’s film, we examine the circumstances of the family, the medical healthcare system, the criminal justice system, and the dangers of sex trafficking and sexual abuse. I think his best decision in terms of writing was allowing for at least three female characters to have a voice in such matters. They don’t necessarily pass the Bechdel Test, but their delivery of actions and lines are enough to confirm that their appearances alone matter.
For an independent film, I was quite surprised as to how it turned out. I would have liked another 15 to 20 minutes of runtime allotted to develop the characters’ parents on-screen. Nonetheless, Echoes of Violence is worth giving a shot and makes for an enjoyable indie project to watch this summer.
4.5/5
If ever you come across this movie, I ask that you go see it. Make no mistake, it is worth your time!
Have you seen this film? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Let us know! For more independent film and thriller-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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