Film Review: Turned
by Karen Pecota

Filmmaker Anders Walter writes and directs a storyline with a universal problem in his short film TURNED. Walter takes extra care in choosing the right background to address alcoholism and a strained father-son relationship due to enormous expectations put on the son. The Danish actors (Sylvester Byder, Clara Rosager, and Michael Lohman) Walter hires perform with excellence to make his narrative authentic and believable.

Walter notes, "In this country [Denmark], there is not one family who is not affected by alcoholism." Adding, "I did not want to make a film about alcoholism with people yelling at each other. The energy of the masculine world of car racing worked and seemed appropriate to address the topic of alcoholism. It's a moving story...and fun action."

Rosager was drawn to the script because of its entertainment value but mostly because the subject matter needs to have a stronger voice. Byder was impressed with the well-written script and said, "I could relate to the character that I play (Kasper). In high school I competed at a high level of martial arts. My dad was my coach and he wanted me to do my best like the father character in the film. Over time, I wanted to get out of the sport because of the emotional pressure to perform for my father and not for the love of the sport." He felt that his real-life experience somewhat prepared him for this acting job. Lohman's comment, "I trusted the script to tell the story. A well written script will allow this to happen." He adds, "Therefore, it was easy to do my job and to tell the story in a sense of truth. It's important stuff to talk about and have an ongoing conversation with the issues Walter addresses."

Walter's narrative comes to life with amazing film editing. His crew filmed at a real racetrack for only ten-minutes during one big race day. You will not believe it when you view TURNED. Due to filming during the pandemic, there were so many rules and odd circumstances the crew had to adhere to that one can only say, "...miracles do happen in order to pull off one of the best action-packed short films ever made."

Walter explains that normally he'd have a crew of like twenty-five people working such a film in Denmark, but with a hardworking skeleton crew and cast memorable, crazy and funny moments will always bind them together with TURNED. Walter recalls, "The last race of the real season at the racetrack was on a Sunday. They allowed us to film a bit then but Monday we could film just without real racing people. Jacob (Michael Lohman) had to look like he was the leader of a racing team so on Sunday, we had him simply be close enough for it to look like he was a part of the pit crew; but the real pit crew didn't know who Michael was nor what he was doing." I guess that what real acting is all about, eh?

Synopsis:

The young, successful race car driver Kasper (Sylvester Byder) has a passion for his university studies, as well as the thrill on the track. His father, Jacob (Michael Lohman) is determined to make Kasper the star in car racing he never attained. Lost in his dreams Jacob lives vicariously through Kasper's talents. Kasper loves his father but grows to despise his overbearing control and mean behavior as an alcoholic. The substance abuse has robbed Kasper of his longing for a loving and supportive father-son relationship.

Jacob ignores the reality of the negative impact he has on his son and presses harder to control Kasper's daily activity. This includes discouraging Kasper's studies and time spent with his loving and supportive girlfriend, Veronika (Clara Rosager). Jacob knows if Kasper wins the next big race, fame will follow his son (and himself as the coach) and reign in the high-ranking champion category.

Kasper is emotionally torn and truly understands the sacrifices his father has made for him, but he must find a better way to communicate to his father his future plans and does so at the big race.