2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be

This article is about the 2016 live-action short film. For the short story from which it was adapted, and other adaptations, see 2 B R 0 2 B.
2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Marco Checa Garcia
Produced by
  • Artin John
  • Derek Ryan
Screenplay by Derek Ryan
Based on 2 B R 0 2 B
by Kurt Vonnegut
Music by Leon Coward
Cinematography Christopher Banting
Edited by
  • Leon Coward
  • James Tarbotton
  • Mitchell Politeski
Release dates
Running time
 18 minutes
Country
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
Language English

2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be is a 2016 Canadian short science fiction film directed by Marco Checa Garcia based on the short story "2 B R 0 2 B" by Kurt Vonnegut. The film was an international collaboration over nearly three years, with additional crew in Sydney, London, Mexico, and the Netherlands.[1] The film features a cameo voice role by veteran actor and The X-Files star William B. Davis. The film's sound was designed by BAFTA-winner Martin Cantwell.[2][3]

Plot

In the year 2204, the Earth has become a dystopian wasteland. In order to maintain strict population levels, any newborn is only permitted to live if another person's life is traded in and a receipt issued. Edward K. Wehling, Jr. sits in Chicago Lying-In Hospital waiting for the birth of his triplets, except he has no receipts to collect them.

Cast

Production

An IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign was announced in a press release on 20 November 2013.[4] Shortly after, it was announced that actor Paul Giamatti was attached to the project as the character Dr. Hitz.[5] Actor Mackenzie Gray took the role of Dr. Hitz after Giamatti left due to scheduling conflicts.[6]

The film's visual design was prepared by artists working from Vancouver, Sydney, and the Netherlands.[7] Filming took place over three days at the Waterfall Building in Canada.[7] Visual effects were mostly done by Facet School of VFX, Mexico.[6] The film was edited in Vancouver, but its picture lock was undone and post-production was moved to Sydney for editing, additional visual effects and music.[7] Sound designer Martin Cantwell joined the project, working from London.[6]

Music

The film's soundtrack makes extensive use of Schubert's Ave Maria in a version recorded especially for the film by Australian soprano and conductor Dr. Imogen Coward.[2]

Release

The film premiered at the Sci-Fi-London festival on 29 April 2016,[8] and later in Los Angeles at the HollyShorts Film Festival.[9] The film was selected for the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts Fest.[10]

An official trailer was released on 1 November 2016.[11]

Reception

2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be received positive reviews from critics. John Vaughan, director of The Golden Blasters (The National Irish Science Fiction Film Festival) described the film as "An unconventional short film that adapts the Kurt Vonnegut short story, it captures the sense of unease that would come if you glimpsed this particular future."[12] Dumbbells & Dragons critic Rachel Bohlen rated the film as her third favourite from the HollyShorts Film Festival (Los Angeles), describing the film as a "terrifying view of our future" and that the adaptation "adheres almost completely to the short story, and I must warn you – there’s no happy ending here. It’s bleak but thought-provoking."[13]

Festival selections, awards & nominations

Year Festival City Nomination Result
2016 Sci-Fi-London (International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film) London, UK
2016 HollyShorts Film Festival Los Angeles, California USA
2016 LA Shorts Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival) Los Angeles, California USA
2016 Miami Short Film Festival Miami, Florida USA Semi-Finalist
2016 Best Short Fest San Diego, California USA Semi-Finalist
2016 Sydney Indie Film Festival Sydney, Australia Best Sci-Fi Short Won
Best Short Screenplay (Derek Ryan) Nominated
2016 KaPow Intergalactic Film Festival Corona, California USA Best Sci-Fi Short Won
2016 Indie Fest USA International Garden Grove, California USA
2016 Silicon Valley International Film Festival California USA
2016 The Golden Blasters Science Fiction Short Film Awards (The National Irish Science Fiction Film Festival) Dublin, Ireland Best Film Nominated
2016 YES! Let's Make a Movie Film Festival Montreal, Canada
2016 The Montreal International Wreath Film Festival Awards Montreal, Canada Best Picture Nominated
Best Director (Marco Checa Garcia) Nominated
Best Actor (Tyler Johnston) Nominated
2016 Fantastic Planet (Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival) Sydney, Australia

References

  1. ↑ "International recognition for young film-makers". The Weekly Times. Sydney, Australia. 17 August 2016. p. 10. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 Black, Anna (2016). ""...for a father hear a child!" Schubert's Ave Maria and the film 2BR02B". The Schubertian. The Schubert Institute (UK). July (91): 16–19.
  3. ↑ "British Academy Film Awards, 2007 Sound winners". Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  4. ↑ John, Artin (20 November 2013). "Derek Ryan - Kurt Vonnegut's 2BR02B". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  5. ↑ Ryan, Derek (22 November 2013). "Adapting a Literary Piece". Eat Sleep Write. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Masson, Sophie (October 19, 2016). "2BR02B: the journey of a dystopian film–an interview with Leon Coward". Feathers of the Firebird (Interview).
  7. 1 2 3 Coward, Leon; John, Artin (October 19, 2016). Meet the Filmmakers! (Speech). Sydney Indie Film Festival. Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia.
  8. ↑ "Sci-Fi London film festival 2016 programme". Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Curchod, James. "HollyShorts Film Festival 2016 Film Guide". Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "88th Academy Awards Short Films Qualifying Festival List" (PDF). Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be (2016) Trailer". Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Vaughan, John (5 October 2016). "2BR02B: To Be or Naught To Be". The Golden Blasters (The National Irish Science Fiction Film Festival). Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  13. ↑ Bohlen, Rachel (22 August 2016). "Best of the HollyShorts Film Festival". Dumbbells & Dragons. Retrieved 22 October 2016.

External links

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