Checkpoint packs a lot into its 10 or so minutes running time. Great suspense, effective music, smart cinematography and above all great direction and screenplay. There are also several excellent performances from the cast which includes several faces familiar to Australian audiences. Set on an isolated country road in outback Australia, Checkpoint presents issues of racism and prejudice within the context of a gripping little drama. This short will definitely have you on edge from the first frame and leave you discussing its nuances long after-wards. I am looking forward to seeing more from Checkpoint's writer and director, Ben Phelps.
3 Reviews
best Aussie short in years!
magnoliagal31 July 2006
I saw this short at MIFF on the weekend where it screened as part of the Accelerator program and have been thinking about it since. It's excellent; a very simple premise that unfurls super fast into a really quite frightening, gripping drama. All of the performances are incredibly well judged, as is the cinematography (from one-to-watch, the amazing Hugh Miller - SOLO; THE BET).
I just want to know, who the HELL is Ben Phelps and where did he come from? The whole piece hinges on the writing, which is watertight and fantastic. It is a short that packs a punch.
5 stars from me... can't wait to see what he does next!!
I just want to know, who the HELL is Ben Phelps and where did he come from? The whole piece hinges on the writing, which is watertight and fantastic. It is a short that packs a punch.
5 stars from me... can't wait to see what he does next!!
Amazing
nostalgic_hero20026 March 2007
I saw this short at the durango Independent Film Festival. It was definitely one of the standout screenings. Flawless cinematography combined with an intense plot and excellent acting creates a wonderful story thats grips you all the way to the ends surprising conclusion. This short is a definite must see for any short film lover. Besides this amazing short, a few others I saw at the festival that any short film lover may want to see is, "Avatar", "The Clearing", "Hollow," and "Miracle." They were all amazing shorts. "Checkpoint," was simply an amazing short film. For any of you that have never heard of the Durango Independent Film Festival, I highly recommend checking it out. It's still pretty young, but it's growing fast. There I saw this great short and many others.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
