A group of old friends are hanging at one of their houses exchanging stories of sexual escapades, awaiting another friend to arrive so they can celebrate a birthday at a nude bar. When one of them is suddenly accused of having masturbated in his friend's bathroom, what starts as a McCarthy-era trial of accusations at one individual suddenly escalates into a night of judgment that tests the truth of their words and the strength of all their friendships. LIONS' DEN is an entirely improvised drama using both actors and non actors shot over the course of an evening, based from a loose outline. A melting pot of lies, truths, egos, and masculinity that is stirred with documentary-style filmmaking.  The second film from the improvisational film collective, Backyard Movies.  Starring Matthew Buck, Gideon Seaman, Aaron Hunter, Robby Storey, Frank Mosley, and Drew Kondraske. 

OFFICIAL SELECTION

2007 Dallas Video Festival (Dallas, TX)

2007 Lone Star International Film Festival (Fort Worth, TX)

            -special invitation screening

2007

15 min.

color

miniDV

PRESS

“There’s no moment of falter here.  Challenging traditional notions about male bonding and interaction, Mosley is able to build a momentum that shakes the foundations of the narrative comfort zone.  Lions’ Den is well worth watching....the film’s message rings clearly and with a beautiful sadness.”

                                                                            -Noralil Ryan Fores, Short End Magazine

“Four out of four stars....This movie is really something special.”

                                                                            -Brian Morton, Rogue Cinema

“An intense fifteen minutes of film that shames and embarrasses the audience, compelling them to keep watching....just as long as no one else is looking.  What’s really amazing about the short is that it is completely improvised.  While many films lack substance due to their unscripted dialogue, Mosley’s seems to be more refined, due to its extreme realism.  Mosley’s ability to create such a stressful tone with his film is truly right on.”

                                                                            -Adam Donaghey, producer of St. Nick

“Lions’ Den is a brave narrative short.  Mosley bypasses the big plot heavy elements that drive most commercial fare, takes commendable risks and chooses to highlight how the nuances of simple conversation, the wavering of emotion, and the tone of the room can communicate a great deal about people.  A particular standout is Matthew Buck, who plays his role to a heartbreaking tee, as well as the sublimely talented Gideon Seaman, whose skill at natural improvisation seems inborn.  The scenario at the heart of Lions’ Den is inherently funny when taken out of context; it could have easily delved off into bouts of self-conscious over-the-topness, but Mosley stays with the tension that mounts throughout the scene, without indulging in melodrama.  The film is an outright achievement in old-fashion filmmaking.”

                                                                            -A.C. Abbott, director of Disowning Claire

                                                                                               and Dallas Video Association Rep.