Shorts Spotlight: ‘After Thought’, starring David Dastmalchian

Posted on March 1, 2014March 22, 2014 by Courtney SmallIn Short Films1 Minute Read

I originally came across Val Keller’s After Thought a few months ago and was captivated by how deceptively simple it appeared on the surface. The film stars David Dastmalchian (Prisoners, The Dark Knight) as a man who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances after receiving a bill for his own funeral. Having now revisited the surreal science fiction short again, the various ideas which Keller has brewing within the film are no less easier to decipher. Fortunately, the film succeeds thanks in part to Dastmalchain’s subtle performance and Keller’s head twisting plot.

After Thought
Director: Val Keller / USA/ 2013/ 9 minutes
Starring: David Dastmalchian, Sam Buchanan, and Connie Ventress

Published by Courtney Small

The founder of Cinema Axis, Courtney is a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic who can frequently be heard discussing film as co-host of Frameline on Radio Regent. Courtney has contributed to several publications including Leonard Maltin, That Shelf, POV Magazine, In the Seats, Black Girl Nerds, and Comix Asylum. He has appeared on ET Canada and Hollywood Suite's Cinema A to Z. Courtney celebrates diversity in cinema as host of the Changing Reels podcast and is a member of the Toronto Film Critics Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the African American Film Critics Association. He is also a Golden Globes International Voter. View all posts by Courtney Small