The Old Ways asks what it would take for a government to justify and enforce the death penalty on a child, and offers a scathingly satirical response: public relations. A pitch black comedy that frames the justice system as spectacle, this film’s treatment of its highly political subject is only outdone by its striking visuals and arresting mise-en-scène. -Magali Simard (TIFF Programmer)
Credits Director: Michael Vass Writers: Kathryn Mockler, Michael Vass Producers: Tricia Lee, Michael Vass Executive Producer: Corey Marr Cinematographer: Catherine Lutes Editors: Bojan Bodruzic & Michael Vass Composer: Bob Wiseman Starring: Ian Downie, London Angelis, Stewart Arnott, Dan Lett, Levi MacDougall, Kathleen Phillips, Ryan Blakely Distributed by Shorts International
Selected Screenings 2010 Toronto International Film Festival 2011 Anthology Film Archives, New Filmmakers NY 2011 Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival 2011 Peniche Cinema Carte Blanche Selection 2011 Mauvais Genre Film Festival 2011 Lago Film Fest 2011 Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2011 Brno 16 International Short Film Festival 2012 Marginal Utillity gallery 2012 Formentera Film Festival