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Ninety Seconds

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Poster

Ninety Seconds is an Irish science fiction neo-noir short film directed by Gerard Lough and starring Andrew Norry, Michael Parle and Claire J. Blennerhassett. It premiered at the Underground Cinema Film Festival in Dublin on 9 August 2012. The film is set in the near future where surveillance experts known as "Techs" take on morally dubious assignments for wealthy clients. Mark and his new assistant Ralfi are the best in their field. They quickly sense something is out of place when they are hired by shifty businessman Philips for an unusual assignment that will lead them into a world of paranoia, intrigue and revenge.

Development

After the release of Lough's 2010 Stephen King adaption The Boogeyman, he set about developing his own material for his next project. Over an unusually long development period, the project originated as a feature-length screenplay that gradually was abandoned and rethought as a short story. The project remained dormant as Lough concentrated on a feature-length version of his 2008 short film Deviant. When that project failed to get off the ground, Ninety Seconds was then developed into an ambitious short film. A 12-minute version of the script was submitted to the Irish Film Board for financing but was eventually rejected. Lough proceeded to independently finance the film and produce it himself. The script was immediately reverted to its original 27-minute page length.

Production

Principal photography took place from between March to May 2012 in Donegal, Ireland with 2nd unit photography in Dublin and Wexford. The now highly topical and controversial subject matter of illegal surveillance and hacking made it difficult for the film-makers to secure permission to film on various locations. Lough would cast actors he previously worked with such as Andrew Norry, Michael Parle and Simon Fogarty as well as working for the first time with Claire J. Blennerhassett and Emma Eliza Regan. The film was edited simultaneously during this period. Locations used ranged from an empty retail unit to a Cinema to the Convention Centre in Dublin.

Marketing and publicity

Like Lough's previous film, The Boogeyman, the film received extensive publicity, especially for a short independent film, with articles in the Donegal News, Film Ireland and Donegal Democrat. The film's marketing campaign included two trailers and a poster designed by Emmet Griffin as well as an official Facebook page. However Lough noted in a video interview that there is still a general lack of support from the mainstream media when trying to promote a short film, after which he announced this as his final short before moving into features.

Soundtrack

The film's mostly electronic score was created by Irish composer Cian Furlong. Man Made Machine performed by MOTOR and featuring Martin L. Gore was used for the film's nightclub scene. In an unusual move, the label granted permission but for a limited licence period. The instrumental track Mistake by Moby, played over the end credits.

Critical reception and release

The film has received mostly rave reviews. Horror Cult Films noted "You will be amazed at the visuals, music and stunning direction." The Independent Critic agreed by saying, "Lough does a tremendous job, perhaps not so ironically, of utilizing technology to capture this overwhelming paranoia... without a doubt his most ambitious film”. Other praise included Geeks of Doom who said, "We’re instantly intrigued by its darkness shot through with cool music, nifty graphics, and well-placed blindingly bright lights." Strangers In A Cinema noted its key influences, "As well as evoking Blade Runner and Strange Days, rather cleverly the camera work makes the audience feel that they are the one’s spying on the characters." The general consensus praised the film's striking visuals, futuristic setting and political undertones. However The Stop Button had mixed feelings about the film, feeling it was "so well-paced and so anticlimactic, I worried I fell asleep for the third act. I did not... Lough simply lets Ninety Seconds run out." Yet still described the film as "impressive" by acknowledging "Furlong and Lough often make Seconds – a low budget short – feel like Blade Runner."

After screenings at several film festivals, the film was released online on February 11th 2013.

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