Kill or die. A society of patriots tests their fellow citizen's commitment to freedom.

Director's Statement

How do we respond to terrorism? Should we become terrorist ourselves – embracing the tactics of a very real and very committed enemy? How does one define patriotism? Is it a willingness to go to any length to preserve a nation, a way of life? Or is it, perhaps, the courage to preserve, at the cost of one's own life, a nation's founding principles of freedom, dignity and respect for human life. When our liberty and our very lives on are the line – is our own survival the best we can do? In the face of brutal and committed contemporary enemies these questions and many more are faced, not only by Americans, but also by millions of citizens across the globe. 13 Minutes does not answer any of these important questions. The themes found in the film are simply about stuff that has been on my mind for some time; since the Los Angeles Riots of 1992, since 911, and especially in this era of ISIS and its accompanying tide of American nativism. So I pulled a few of my acting students together and shot this short in my basement storage room. This submission is, principally, about those actors. Only one had previously appeared in a film. The others had been studying diligently, committedly, for some time and were up to the challenge. I believe their good work deserves to be acknowledged. I hope, after viewing 13 Minutes, you will think so as well.

Category: Drama.
Themes: War, Community.

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