Here’s a film that might come out of nowhere and cause a real stir. I’d somehow slept on any notice of Felt, writer-director Jason Banker‘s exploration of one abuse victim’s unique and disturbing methods for dealing with trauma, despite the good word that’s been building since a fall premiere. But the first two previews (red and green band alike) are real kickers, and the apparent ferocity with which it examines burgeoning social topics — rape culture, abuse survival, male entitlement — makes it leaving an impact rather likely.
And even though we were ourselves a bit mixed on the film after seeing it at South By Southwest, there were still things worthy of admiration — particularly the lead performance from Amy Everson, who, as co-writer, used her own experiences to create a full psychological portrait. I’m very keen to see where the entire thing heads, both in spite and because of how unsettling this all seems from the distance of just a few previews.
Watch them below:
Synopsis:
Amy is hanging on by a thread. Struggling to cope with past sexual trauma and the daily aggressions of a male-dominated society, she creates grotesquely-costumed alter egos that reappropriate the male form. While giving her the sense of power she craves, acting as these characters pushes her further into a world of her own making. When she begins a new relationship with a seemingly good guy, she opens herself up to him – but that vulnerability comes at a dangerous cost, and her alter egos threaten to lash out in explosive violence.
Felt will hit limited theaters on June 26 and VOD on July 21.