Payload (2011)

A family of scavengers. A corrupt spaceport. A callous matriarch. A home in the shadow of a space elevator. After a brutal attack on his father, Simon Carter must sacrifice everything to save his family.

Director:

Stuart Willis

Writer:

Stuart Willis

Stars:

Deng Abul, Ryan Beard, Khrob Edmonds

Cast

Credited cast:
Deng Abul	...	Gate Security Guard
Ryan Beard	...	Aaron Henshaw
Khrob Edmonds	...	Dr. William Pratchett
Sepideh Fallah	...	Prostitute
Albert Goikhman	...	TNSA Officer
Roshan Johal	...	Manny
Jeremy Kewley	...	Head of Security
Colin Masters	...	CTA Suit
Shane Nagle	...	Adam Carter
Joanne Owen-Smith	...	Officer Kate Henshaw
Margaret Rivette	...	Dave Carter
Dylan Russell	...	Simon Carter

Storyline

A family of scavengers. A corrupt spaceport. A callous matriarch. A home in the shadow of a space elevator. After a brutal attack on his father, Simon Carter must sacrifice everything to save his family.

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Plot Keywords:

space elevator | girl dressed as boy | hospital | head injury | prostitution | 

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Taglines:

The only way out is up

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Genres:

Short | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

18 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

I Would Have Preferred A Pay Off

Set in a Dystopian future of 2021 technology has moved forward the point where humanity can now build a space port . A literal stairway to Heaven you ask ? Perhaps and I thought we might be getting a hint of a religious subtext to this at one point but if there is one I didn't notice it . PAYLOAD is a subtle film which drops hints as to what life is like in this future society which seems to be a combination of fascism and corporate capitalism where human individuals seem subject to a rigid caste system where people are literally a commodity . The way this type of story unfolds from the script by Stuart Willis is a good thing because he doesn't feel the need to bludgeon the audience to death with " Oh look at the way these authoritarian bully boys are stamping on everyone from democrats to critical free thinkers " . In many ways the scenario is very credible - except of course in its chronological setting . I couldn't believe a premise like this taking place in 2021 . Maybe if it was set 20 years after this but not in 2021 . I've also got to be very critical and say PAYLOAD also feels like one of those calling card type short movies and Mr Willis has added a twist of cynicism by leaving everything open ended in an attempt to get funding to make a feature length film with the events directly taking place after PAYLOAD ends . . I do notice certain people on this page are asking for more but I felt mainly frustrated by the end and do like shorts that are self contained . What PAYLOAD lacks is a pay off