Taking inspiration from the world of puzzles, mysteries, and
the problem-solving thrills of escape rooms, the entertaining new indie
adventure film “Solver” was shot over the summer of 2016 in Greater Rochester
locations, including Honeoye Falls and Mendon.
Writer-producer
Jack Kelley, a Mendon native, describes the film as “National Treasure” or “The
Da Vinci Code” on a micro-budget scale, explaining that the types of codes and
puzzles depicted in those films have always held a special place in his
imagination.
“When I
think about the idea of a lost treasure, I get this tingle up my spine,” he
says. “And when you know somebody put time into designing clues that need to be
figured out, there’s something so exciting about the combination of emotional
excitement and the intellectual engagement of trying to solve that puzzle.”
Though Kelley
now lives in Los Angeles, he spent ten years in New York City, toiling in
finance and commercial real estate before deciding to redirect his energies and
focus on his longtime passion for filmmaking and writing. Spurred on by
receiving an award for one of his early screenplays, Kelley in 2014 founded a
production company, Empire Builder Productions, with his friend and creative
partner, John Ruby. Together they came up with the story for “Solver,” the
company’s first feature.
The film
follows Luke (played by Ruby), a young professional who returns to his hometown
after his grandfather vanishes under mysterious circumstances. Visiting his
grandfather’s cabin, Luke reunites with a childhood acquaintance (Kerry Knuppe) and gradually uncovers a trail of clues that lead
to a global conspiracy with ties to the infamous, top secret CIA mind control
experiment, MKUltra.
Like the
inventive contraptions that fuel its plot, the film maintains a pleasingly
handcrafted feel. Kelley talks enthusiastically about the process of creating
the film’s many puzzles and devices, which he proudly notes were designed as
practical effects, and really work. That attention to detail is reflected on
screen, supported by strong performances and some striking rural New York
cinematography.
But for all
its mysteries and treasure hunting thrills, “Solver” at its heart is a story
grounded in the idea of finding one’s roots, a theme Kelley says made the
project perfect for filming in his former hometown.
“I wanted to
bring it back to an environment that resonated with me emotionally. I wrote
what I knew,” Kelly says. “I know New York City and I know Upstate New York,
and the dichotomy between those felt symbolic of the evolution Luke goes
through.”
Along with
director Xandy Smith, Kelley and Ruby set about
finding talented local crew members to incorporate into the L.A.-based crew
they’d brought with them, making the production a truly collaborative process.
Kelley is thrilled with the results of those efforts, and hopes that “Solver”
is just part of a growing trend that finds more films making the choice to
shoot in the area.
“I’m proud
of what we accomplished, and happy that we were able to make it in Rochester,”
he says. “I’m hopeful and inspired by the idea that more films could come to
Upstate New York, and that the birthplace of film could again become a place
that’s known for cinema and movie-making.”
“Solver”
will premiere on Friday, January 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Little Theatre (240 East
Avenue), and will screen again at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 14 at the Cinema
Theater (957 South Clinton Avenue). Kelley will be in attendance to participate
in a Q&A following both screenings. The film will also be released on
iTunes and Amazon on January 23, just in time for National Puzzle Day.
Coming Attractions:
Grab a few
drinks and schmooze with other local filmmakers when the Rochester Association for Film Arts and Sciences (RAFAS)
holds their monthly networking event on Thursday, January 11, from 6:30 to 9
p.m. at The Toasted Bear Tavern & Grill (689 South Avenue). rafasny.org.
On Monday, January
15, the Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince Street) pays tribute to Martin
Luther King Jr. with a program of short films, headlined by the premiere of “Train of Thought,” a video installation from VSW grad
Rashaad Parker, with live music from the Ryan Johnson Project. 5 to 7 p.m. $5
suggested donation. vsw.org.
Find out
what’s brewing in the local non-fiction filmmaking scene during the year’s
first monthly meeting of the Rochester Documentary
Filmmakers Group, on Thursday, January 18, at 5 p.m. at the
Little Theatre (240 East Avenue; thelittle.org).
The Little
Theatre and the Rochester Contemporary Art Center team up for a one-night only
fundraiser screening of “The Square” on Thursday, January 25,
at 7 p.m. Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s acclaimed
satire of the modern art world, the film is one of only nine films to be
shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film award at this year’s Oscars.
Held at the Little. $8-$12.
Throughout
the months of January and February, the Dryden Theatre (900 East Avenue) is
showcasing “90 Years of Academy Awards” with a
film series screening cinema classics — from “Ben-Hur”
to “Unforgiven” — on 35mm prints taken the museum’s extensive collection. $5-$10.
eastman.org/dryden-theatre.
On Monday, January
29, the Empire Film Music Ensemble presents “The
Music of Bernard Herrmann,” a free concert highlighting work by
the musical genius known for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock,
among many others. The concert will be held in Kilbourn
Hall at the Eastman School of Music (26 Gibbs Street; esm.rochester.edu). empirefilmmusicensemble.org.
Have information about an upcoming film event or
screening? Send details to adam.lubitow@gmail.com.
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2018.
