Most

Most (aka The Bridge) is a short film that runs for only 29 minutes, but will rank among the most powerful and moving films you'll ever watch. Set in Czech Republic, it concerns a single father working at a railroad bridge, and his eight-year-old son whom he dearly loves. It's hard to talk about the plot without giving away anything, but let's just say a tragedy occurs. Through the highly emotional and heartbreaking performances, you are invited to dwell deeply on the issue of ethical dilemmas and ultimately, the goodness of mankind. Obvious Christian references are made, and causes you to once again deeply meditate on God's love. Is there hope left in our bleak world? After watching this, I would say yes, there is.

I saw MOST at the Nashville Film Festival in May,2003. The film is about a single father and his son in modern day Poland. They seem to have only each other, and through the course of the film we see the nature and depth of their relationship. There are a set of secondary characters developed in the opening scenes and we are allowed to understand that the train these characters are getting on, is key to the story. We learn that the father is a railroad drawbridge operator when he takes his son to the work with him. The journey to the bridge is when the film sets the hook. It is among the most subtle and effective uses of foreshadowing and emotional participation I have ever seen. I will tell no more, but that the father must make the most difficult decision of any parent's life and the audience, now involved , must make the decision with him. It is masterful storytelling. If you have a chance to see it, please make it a priority. It is the kind of short film that raises the bar.

MOST is about 30 minutes long and manages to tell a feature length story. It has a primarily Polish cast and is subtitled. The film was written by producer Billy Zabka( "Sweep the leg Johnny!") and director Bobby Garabedian. They are best known as a music video directing team(Sarah Evans, among others), but prove themselves capable of narrative storytelling in this medium.

I saw this movie at a church family retreat. You can't describe the depth and meaning of this film, it HAS to be seen. I couldn't keep from thinking about it. It paralleled my life so much and I could truly relate. I went away actually bawling. This truly represents Gods love for his children. I had to go out and purchase the movie for myself. I am excited to share it with my Youth Group at church. I think this could make an impact on many youth because it hits so many areas of life. A must see for everyone. Kudo's to everyone involved with the production. I look forward to seeing more works from Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka.

This film is perhaps the most powerful and brilliant piece of film making I have seen in recent memory. I attended a film makers panel at the Maui Film Festival where Garabedian, Director/Writer & Zabka, Producer/Writer shared their experiences in getting the film made. Their stories were captivating, inspiring and ultimately bold. I was astonished to learn that this brilliant, European, Czech language film was made by two young filmmakers from LA!

MOST was awarded Best Short Film - Best Newcomer - and also the Audience Award.

If you have an opportunity to see this film take it. If you have an opportunity to listen to the filmmakers talk about this film drop everything to be there. The source material for this story has touched me for years. (Supposedly based on a true story that has now taken on the status of a spiritual legend.) This film takes this material and moves it beyond moral anecdote to an experience that is unprecedented in cinema. The cinematography is great, acting is great, music fits. Although the emotional impact is beyond intense, you are never forced into the emotion. You are presented with times of joy, humor, anguish, and hope in a way that your heart chooses to experience. You must watch it multiple times to catch all the imagery and savor the experience. This is the only film that I have a waiting list of friends wanting to borrow it after I showed it to them.

I want to address anyone who may be reluctant to watch this if they heard that it is a "Christian" film. Over the years that adjective in the arts has sadly (but in most cases justifiably) become synonymous with "of poor production quality" or "preachy". Neither of these descriptions apply to this film. 'Most' is a spiritual experience that does parallel themes in Chritianity but can be appreciated by anyone, no matter their spiritual journey. I have shown this film to people who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and people who do not. Every person I have shown it to have had only good things to say about it. It is what the genre should be producing. Companies wanting to make religious films should take their cue from this one.