Unforeseen

Running time: N/A

World Premiere "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Or is it "Do unto others before they do unto you"? Edward Barkin's Unforeseen poses this question in a modern-day film noir/psychological drama about a tangled love triangle filled with betrayal and painful obsession. It delivers a stark look into the eyes of despair through a badly injured young man, Derek, in a dark and lonely hospital room in New York City. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn Derek was rich, had a beautiful girlfriend, and believed himself to be happy. Despite his friend's disapproval, Derek asks his girlfriend, Anastasia, to marry him. Once an enviable life, Derek's reality takes a spiral nose-dive as he faces an onslaught of betrayal and injustice. Derek is forced to take a true test of faith. His wife divorces him. His family disowns him. He's financially ruined. Upon each nightmarish turn, Derek sinks deeper into a state of desperation that leads towards obsession and vengeance. Director Barkin presents a tightly woven and unpredictable tale that peers into the abyss while remaining mindful of a light at the end of the tunnel. Unforeseen captures the descent of a human psyche and its ultimate will for survival. Reviewed by Yoshie Suzuki. Preceded by: Kidschool (Max Knies, 35 min., USA) The haunting tale of a young man's search for understanding that leads to abduction and tragedy.