| The Hanged Man | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Neil H. Weiss |
| Produced by | Neil H. Weiss Glenn B. Hopper III |
| Written by | Glenn B. Hopper III |
| Starring | Adam Hatley Thomas Anthony Jones Robbyn Leigh Brandon Gibson Cliff Weissman Ralph Hatley |
| Music by | Joseph Carrillo |
| Cinematography | Patricia Lee |
| Editing by | Carl Pfirman Debra L. Tennant |
| Distributed by | Osiris Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | October 20, 2007 (Indie Memphis) |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $195,000 |
The Hanged Man is an independent supernatural thriller from Tennessee-based production Company Starbox Pictures.[1] The film screened in 2007 at the Indie Memphis Film Festival[2] and is being distributed in 2010 by Osiris Entertainment.[3]
Contents |
Seven irrevocably damaged social misfits come together in an internet chat room, looking for understanding and compassion, but ultimately making a suicide pact.
One by one, they come together in a remote, abandoned barn to await their "savior", chipping away the mask of cyber nicknames, fictional personas, and the anonymity of the Web.
SoCo, a volatile and brooding misanthrope is the most eager and first to arrive. Spaceshot, most openly vulnerable; Miles, who dreads the inevitable; Flash, a redneck cowboy distraught over a secret he's shared just once; X-Factor, doomed to repeat the sins of her mother; LT56, a middle-aged survivor of a life-altering tragedy; and Dwarfstar, the organizer, the prophet ... the one bringing the solution of a painless peace.
But as the sun sets and Dwarfstar is yet to appear, emotions rise, the woods whispers its secrets and the facades fall aside, revealing that one of them isn't who they profess to be ... and one of them was dead before they arrived.
A taut psychological thriller full of twists and turns, starring Adam Hatley (12 Monkeys) and Brandon Gibson (Fanarchy and Static).[4]
Each character in The Hanged Man represents one of the major arcana in the Tarot deck. The characters are all joined in this transcendental and mystical world, where they are suspended under The Hanged Man as Death crosses their path.
The Hanged Man (Southern Comfort)
When we first meet "SoCo" he is emotionless and alone; prepared to die. He is interrupted and delayed, however, as the others begin to arrive. His journey to another world is yet again postponed.
The Hanged Man is a card of great significance in tarot. In many ways it symbolizes divinity and points to tales from other faiths (most notably the Crucifixion of Christ, but also to stories from Egyptian and Roman mythology: Osiris and Mithras). The common thread in these stories is the destruction of self bringing life to others.
The card represents sacrifice and life in suspension. It shows that change and transition are possible, but currently stalled in a place of apathy and dullness. The Hanged Man has surrendered and can neither move forward or back. He sacrifices himself in hopes of reaching a goal that he has yet to obtain.
He makes clear observations, but lacks the power to change his world. He has given up his ego in search of wisdom and growth.
The Moon (Miles)
Miles arrives looking out of place in the realm of the hanged man. He appears young, healthy, and alive. We do not see the pain that lies just below the surface.
He arrives in twilight and is warned against being here. He is surrounded by danger, false friends, bad influences, and deception.
The Moon tells us of a problem with no apparent way out. And while Miles is adamant that the group sticks to the plan, this is not to be his fate. For The Moon card tells us he has fallen into a trap and his journey is to be fraught with danger and unforeseen changes.
The card depicts a crawfish coming up from below the surface, representing the battle he has fought inside and alone is now coming into the light.
The Star (Spaceshot)
With her long, blonde hair and exposed skin, Spaceshot resembles her card.
The Star is a good omen that represents the convergence of the past and present. Spaceshot's character strives to escape her past, but when forced to confront it, she realizes it is part of her.
Even in her immense pain, The Star signifies hope and optimism. She is heavily influenced by the stars and searches for a higher influence, which leads her to long for the arrival of Dwarfstar.
The Star can mean the pain is over and a new hope is dawning. However, aspiration and energy are needed for success.
As she confronts the demons from her past, we see Spaceshot's widening horizons, heavenly guidance and new perspective as she gains from the wisdom under The Hanged Man.
The Fool (Flash)
In The Fool card, we see a young man dangerously near the edge.
Flash, as his card denotes, possesses in great measure: passion, pleasure, frenzied enthusiasm, thoughtlessness, lack of maturity and discipline, and a steadfast reluctance to listen to the counsel of others.
He is narcissistic and narrow minded to the point of bigotry, and he finds himself in the greatest danger from not being able to comprehend the bigger picture – what is happening outside of himself – rushing in where others would not dare to tread.
He lacks a depth of knowledge in any realm and sees life as a game; however, the momentum and even the levity he brings to the others plays an important role in their development.
Justice (X-Factor)
The Justice card depicts a woman sitting, holding a sword and the scales of justice.
X-Factor is poised as the woman in the card in judgment of the situation and those in it. She hopes for everyone’s good intentions, sense of fairness, harmony, and balanced conduct. Most importantly, she believes whatever the outcome (good or bad) – justice will be served.
She holds great ability to discern and dissect the situation before her and to avoid temptation. Her thoughts lean toward science and precision no matter what the situation.
The Tower (LT56)
LT56’s story is revealed through The Falling Tower.
He is in direct conflict with the suspension of The Hanged Man. The Falling Tower represents a breakdown of old beliefs through a sudden event that destroys trust and creates calamity.
This change results in a loss of stability and security resulting in a misery that is ultimately capable of creating a new insight. The upheaval of The Falling Tower often results in removal from home or work life.
Like the others, The Falling Tower still possesses the power of choice. The chaos in which LT56 now finds himself could result in a breakthrough to a new way of thinking and perhaps … something to live for.
Death (The Sheriff)
In the tarot, Death is depicted wielding a scythe and trampling corpses below.
Death represents transformation – clearing away the old to make way for the new. There is risk in renewal and abrupt change of the old self. Yet Death is required to end the past and break free into a new life.
Death is an accelerant of change – of transition.