Local filmmaker premieres work Thursday                                   

by Jim Martyka                                                                                                   

The film “Jerome’s Razor” “doesn't go where you think it will. Okay, maybe it does, but the message is different.
The second feature from locally acclaimed writer and director John Swon is about Jerome, a young, depressed man and his quest to find meaning. Along the way, he hooks up with four philosophical strangers and finds himself in a number of movie clichés, including leading the untrusting group up an impossible mountain, where he thinks his truth lies.
Seen it? No, you haven't.

"This movie is based off of the philosophy of William of Ockham, who tried to simplify his life, but kind of overdid it," Swon said. "Jerome is in danger of doing the same thing, like we all are. And the question is whether he will eventually see that." Philosophy plays a large role in this film, as does humor and introspection. The acting is relatively solid by the main characters (Marcus Edward as Jerome, and Keli Ferrier and Mark Parrish as August and Thomas, two "philosophers") and exceptionally strong by the supporting cast.

The film is cinematically beautiful, shot over a couple of weeks in Albuquerque, N.M. The writing and directing is strong, minus a few overly dramatic moments. But a great line or shot often follows those distracting scenes. When looking at his own life, Jerome compares it to a story he heard about a monkey putting a peg in the right hole during a test. "He then preceded to crap on the peg and bite everyone around it," he says.

Such is the humor and perspective that has earned Swon and his Reel Cinema production company some attention. His first film, “Peter,” was recently put up for a D.L. Maberry award and there already is a buzz about his third film, “Paradise,” which comes out this summer. As for what he wants people to walk away with from this film? "A Reel Cinema T-shirt," he said. "No, I’m kidding. I want the film to make people think about their own lives and this idea that personal change can be simplified into one action or a change in scenery and whether or not that’s true.”
 

“Jerome's Razor” shows at Oak Street Cinema in Stadium Village on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Two other acclaimed films are coming to Oak Street. “Life & Debt,” a documentary by Stephanie Black that explores the different impressions of life in Jamaica, runs from Jan. 11-17. The theatre also will feature a film retrospective on Czech filmmaker Jan Svankmajer, known for using inanimate objects to do animated versions of classic tales, from Jan. 25 to the end of February.