The Killers, writer/director Vladislav Kozlov’s mid-length narrative film which mixes different film genres and elements of Cinéma vérité with neorealism, tells the story of a family crisis that erupts from the opposing mindsets of the generations, played by Franco Nero, Sherilyn Fenn, and Jeff DuJardin. The film pays homage to film noir dramatic thrillers and other film genres, while straddling the line between science-fiction and science-fact in the world of cryogenics. The Killers, produced by Kozlov, Natalia Dar, Yuri Ponomarev, and David Roberson, will have its World Premiere 7:00pm Friday, at the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival™ (RIFF).
“THE KILLERS” (teaser clip)
The Killers teaser clip: https://vimeo.com/352362340
In The Killers, Max (Jeff DuJardin), a faithful transhumanist, is convinced that the scientists will soon be able to resurrect dead people who were cryogenically frozen. His beloved grandfather Paolo (Franco Nero) is dying from cancer, and Max cannot accept the fact that his beloved “Papa”, who raised him like a father, is going to be no more. In order to save him, Max decides to freeze grandfather’s brain to preserve his identity but meets strong disapproval from his religious mother Laura (Sherilyn Fenn), who has other ideas about salvation. A bitter quarrel for the grandfather’s head and soul erupts.
Jeff DuJardin as “Max” in The Killers
“Religion is disappearing from the modern society, but the desire of eternal life is ineradicable, so humans are seeking other ways to reach immortality. What now seems like sci-fi is slowly but surely becoming the reality of tomorrow. However, the new ways often pose the moral/ethical questions of what is acceptable,” said Kozlov. “Will humans be able remain humans in the future in the ideology of transhumanism?” he adds.
Franco Nero as “Papa” in The Killers
The Killers is set at the intersection of science-fiction, science-fact, and faith. It is a peek into the future, but the future is today. Right now, cryonics is an obscure thing, and most people consider it a fantasy. RIFF even has the film listed as a “Fantasy” on their website. But it is already happening around the world; people are freezing their relatives and pets. Even if religion diminished, people would always be looking for another way to live forever. Some of the actors in The Killers play themselves as characters – the president of cryonics company Jim Yount plays himself and the Catholic priest, Father Donald Woznicki also portrays himself, in a Cinéma vérité combined with neorealism way.
“Sherilyn Fenn brings such a tenderness to the role I hadn’t originally intended. The character of “Laura” is a bit of a contradiction, as we all are, but “Laura” really goes from one extreme to the other, and she is strongly opposed to the transhumanist beliefs of her son. She is beautiful, and a mother, and she probably drinks too much, and she loves her children and her father. Sherilyn breathed life into her and it was stunning to watch,” said Kozlov.
Sherilyn Fenn as “Laura” in The Killers
Sherilyn Fenn and Kozlov previously collaborated on his upcoming feature film “Silent Life,” where Fenn plays Hollywood legend and diva, Alla Nazimova in his upcoming Rudolph Valentino fantasy-biopic film, starring Terry Moore, Isabella Rossellini, Franco Nero,
Jeff DuJardin, and Paul Rodriguez.
“Franco Nero is a legend. What else can I say? I have always been a fan of Franco and of his work, and I honestly believe this is some of his best work in decades. He plays “Paolo,” an older, philosophical man who is dying of cancer, who gave his young grandson a wonderful figure to love, and his grandson, now an adult, cannot imagine life without him. Franco’s performance is nuanced and touching,” said Kozlov.
The Killers
also stars Johanna Marshall, Rich Rose, Clayton Turnage, Bethany Caitlan Nicole, and Joseph Luckay.
The filmmakers include: Cinematography by Devin Hansen, additional cinematography by Per Larsson., UPM Frank Zanca, First AD: Clayton Turnage, Editing: Adrian Morales Ramos and Vladislav Kozlov, Production Design by Natalia Dar, Gaffer: Chad McClellan, costumes by Emilyna Cullen, hair and make-up by Sana Semeniuk Costa, special make up by Emily Spence, Sound by Lellan Thomas, Daniel Trujillo, Sound Design: Jason Abell, music by Greg Secession, stills by Dave Friedman, special effects by Steven Aguilera. Best Boy Electric: Haneul J. Sky Kim, with Special thanks to Cameron Lister.
