Unforeseen

Running time: 80 mins

"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.