Number 13
Synopsis
An aspiring actor, stops at a local supermarket before his big audition and has an unexpected confrontation with a self aware, service till called 13. As he tries to get over his fear of failing, he must also find a way to save 13 from it’s impending end.
Film details
- Year
- 2017
- Runtime
- 00:06:20
- Genre
- Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, Horror
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Subtitles
- English, Español, Português, Français, العربية, 中文（简体）
Filmmaker's Note
The inspiration for the concept first came about from me working as a customer team member, in a convenience store for several years. I would notice all sorts of different customers, having a preference for using self-service machines, over regular staff members. With the belief that they are far more efficient and useful. This resulted in my colleagues fearing for their jobs, after hearing their friends and family already being replaced by machines in other working environments.
The aim of this film is to help spread awareness of the threat of technology taking over and the negative effect it will have on the modern working class society. It’s an unsung story with a subject matter that audiences can easily relate to, with people already beginning to question their own existence, which could eventually lead to an existential crisis. But at the same time, I wanted to make light of the situation, by implementing a comedic dynamic with it’s two main protagonists Adrian and 13. The visual style was heavily influenced by Spike Jonez’s feature film “Her” which had a tactile and pleasant look with a vivid color palette.
Credits
Director
- Jonell Rowe
Writers
- Jonell Rowe
Producers
- Roundhouse
- Lionstooth Films
About the filmmaker
By Jonell Rowe
Jonell Rowe is a London and Bristol-based independent writer, director and editor who first ventured into the arts through studying drama and fine art, at The BRIT School of performing arts. After graduating in 2011 with both a BTEC National and extended diploma in drama, Jonell went on to complete writers course at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in 2012 and along with other creatives, founded the production company "Lionstooth films". His style of work focuses on emotions spiraling out of control, affecting an individual's actions, which in turn affects the world around them. He also explores a mixture themes and genres such as sci-fi, dark comedy, personal identity and the threat of technology. Jonell wrote and directed his first short film "E.D.D." in 2014. A psychological, fantasy, drama that explored the themes of hate, man vs himself and Zen Buddhism. In 2015 "E.D.D." was accepted and screened at various festivals, most notably the Cannes short film corner. Since then, Jonell has gone on to write and direct three additional short films for Lionstooth, that have been recognised by industry professionals, that have nominated his work for best short films at the Flyde film festival in March, 2017, Uk monthly film festival in May 2017 and was runner-up in the best short film category at the London city film awards in October, 2017. He is currently studying BA Film and Television at the University of Bristol.
