LUCA AND ISO is a creative multi-award winning film, directed by the team of Damian Overton and Ed Cali, which is a perfect example of the power of filmmaking in the hands of talented and passionate storytellers putting everything into their art. Damian and Ed showcase how film can be used to tell an engaging thought provoking story, about a very important subject matter full of subtext and complexities,in a very short amount of time.
In 2020 the entire world shut down due to the corona virus pandemic. Along with the virus came another gigantic issue which effected the entire world, isolation. Mandates which required everyone to stay in doors, social distance, and do everything possible to stay isolated from others began to take a toll on humanity. These side effects of isolation were deeply observed with surges in mental health issues quickly appearing all over the globe. Issues including overeating, lack of sleep, extreme bordom, financial troubles, and the inability to see friends and loved ones resulted in rising numbers of suicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence leading to a record number of divorces.
Damian and Ed bring the concept of isolation and its effects straight to the screen. Isolated and alone in his apartment, Luca, a bored young man, portrayed brilliantly by Ed Cali, begins to document his weeks in isolation on camera. The beauty of the film is in its simplicity which adds not only a realism to the piece but also acts as a symptom of the situation. The directors use time jumps in Luca's weeks from each recording to show the progression of the effects of isolation that Luca experiences. This beautiful yet haunting portrayal of the real life experiences of so many is a must watch!