4 Corners
Description :
4 Corners is a minimalist art-piece examining gun violence in Chicago. It consists of 5 vignettes, each loosely based on gang killings committed around a 4-block radius. The stories themselves are presented without context, identification, or discernible dialogue, giving each occurrence a cold and detached feeling. These violent acts are committed in calm and casual fashion, moving from one story to the next without explanation; reflecting how we as a society take in stride the killings in modern day life. Much like the violence we see and hear about every day in Chicago, this film takes us through a sequence of murders that seem and feel pointless, hollow, and cold. We watch as a one killing sets in motion a ripple effect throughout the community, while the reason for such remains uncertain.
The purpose of this film was not to pick one side or another. The purpose was simply to present the issue at face value and address the need for change, without patronizing or trivializing the causes of said violence. We are, as a collective, denying the social problems that exist in Chicago. Highly influenced by Alan Clarke’s short film ‘Elephant’, 4 Corners is a reference to “the elephant in our living room.”
In 4 Corners, the audience sees repetitive acts of violence (just as we see repetitive acts of violence in the news) and assumes the deaths are meaningless. However, a larger story runs in the background of each of individual’s story if one pays close enough attention. Stories of pride, ignorance, and retaliation serve as the backbone of 4 Corners, just as they serve as the backbone of so many Chicago murders. Tit-for-tat killings that seem meaningless to those looking in from the outside, are exactly the opposite to the people involved; and are even more important and real to the loved ones who are often left to pick up the pieces.
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Credits :
Directed by Andre Muir Written by Jake Hutton & Andre Muir Story by Andre Muir Executive Producers: Mario DiPaolo & Cory Proctor Producers: Ciara Medina, Mia Reggi, Zachary Moore, Cory Proctor Cinematographer: Nathan Salter Associate Producer: Emanuel Caston Production Designer: Emily Schexnayder Editor: Nathan Rodgers Post Sound Producer: Adam Wiebe Sound Design: Beto Santoyo Composer: Colin Sipos 1st Assistant Director: Arturas Kerelis 2nd Assistant Director : Marcus Aubin Color Producers: Dan Butler, Laurie Adrianopoli Colorist: Mikey Pehanich Casting Director: Jake Bloom Casting Assistant: Anna McFarlin Steadicam Operator: Blaine Baker 1st Assistant Camera: Brendan Babinski 2nd Assistant Camera: Juan Garcia Quintero Location Sound: Andrew Henke Costume Design: Nadya Laska Art Assistant: Andrew Melzer Art Assistant: Oriane Playner Art Assistant: Anna McFarlin Production Assistant: Brad Martin Production Assistant: Gus Murray Production Assistant: Rebekah Wilson Production Assistant: Kerri Walsh Production Assistant: Brad Martin Production Assistant: Justin Hill Production Assistant: Nick Sansone Gaffer: Danny Valdez Best Boy Electric: Jake Joiner Electrician Max Skelton Grip: Jake Joiner Grip: Ryan Zeller Grip: Johnathon Blazewski DIT: Sam Kelly