By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Under the Dark Wing is a black-and-white short production directed by the very talented Christopher Di Nunzio.
Johnny Boy (Fiore Leo) a mobster and former drug addict is having an intense meeting with his boss George (David Graziano) about why a “job” he was instructed to do was not accomplished. He was supposed to kill a man, and in flashback sequences we learn why that didn’t occur.
The flashback begins showing Christian imagery as Johnny stand with a gun in his hand. He approaches a sleeping man ready to take his life, when a pregnant girl (Jesse Rowe) emerges. She asks Johnny for help and he agrees as a light flashes in front of them.
When the production flashes back to the meeting, George makes it clear that he doesn’t believe Johnny’s story about the mysterious girl. Still, he advises that his boys are looking for her to ensure she doesn’t talk. Johnny is upset that George is willing to kill the young girl as they’ve never killed any women before.
After a second encounter with Johnny, the girl is brought to George by a thug who warns that she bites. George tells her that he’s willing to take care of her but she isn’t looking for that. Instead, the duo have an intense back-and-forth mouse game where the religious and paranormal both have a hand in fate, punishment, and retribution.
This is an extremely well shot and written production. The dialogue of the girl is written in a very eloquent yet straight forward manner that makes it easy for the audience to both take note that something is awry yet relate to her requests and statements.
Graziano portrays the average Sopranos style Joe very well. He has a Godfather presence and speaks in a very old school mobster style. Despite Johnny Boy’s past and even present actions, he does have moments of regret which makes him the most sympathetic character of the bunch, though no one is really innocent.
The conclusion is done well and one would only wish that it was longer. I definitely see that this could spawn short sequels as it travels down different roads of morality and ethics.
I highly recommend the production and think it’s fantastic. It’s as if The Twilight Zone merged with The Outer Limits and the outcome is certainly worth one’s time. Horror and Sci-Fi fans with adore it and leave the production wanting more.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8.5/10
