The Dynamiter
Directed by
Matthew Gordon
DVD
All fourteen-year-old Robbie Hendrick ever wanted was a family. Yet, as another Mississippi Summer begins, his wayward mother has run off again fearing a breakdown, and he’s left to burn the days caring for his half brother, Fess. As the deep days and nights pass without her return, and with older brother Lucas dangerously in their lives again, Robbie must face the fact that his dreams may never come true. With social services looming over them, Robbie may even lose Fess, the only family he’s ever really had. The Dynamiter is the first feature film written by Brad Ingelsby ("Mare of Easttown").
Cast
- Robert Demry
DVD Features
Bonus short: The Roundup, directed by Stefan C. Schaefer
Sound: Stereo 2.0 and 5.1 Surround Sound
Discs: 1
- "Incredibly engrossing!"
- "Every moment in the film rings true."
- "[E]ngagingly watchable, nicely shot with good use of locations and a suitably warm folksy soundtrack with a game series of performances from the predominantly young cast to be admired."
- "The filmmaker rediscovers the great tradition of old-fashioned humanists: the John Ford, the Martin Ritt who filmed crises and the excluded. There is a terrible sweetness in Matthew Gordon to suggest so cruelly, in the heart of a still summer, the fate of these eternal losers for whom the American dream remains a lure. A little gem."
- "Without ever falling into pathos, this pretty social chronicle, located in a town in Mississippi, lights up hearts with its sincerity. ***** (5 stars)"
Awards & Recognition
Winner
Best First Feature
Durban Film Festival
Best First Feature
Durban Film Festival
Winner
Jury Prize
Deauville Film Festival
Jury Prize
Deauville Film Festival
Winner
Best Director
RxSM Film Expo
Best Director
RxSM Film Expo
Winner
Best Supporting Actor
RxSM Film Expo
Best Supporting Actor
RxSM Film Expo
Winner
Best Actor
Victoria TX Independent Film Festival
Best Actor
Victoria TX Independent Film Festival
Winner
Grand Jury Prize (Narrative Competition)
Nashville Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize (Narrative Competition)
Nashville Film Festival
Nominated
John Cassavetes Award
Independent Spirit Awards
John Cassavetes Award
Independent Spirit Awards
Nominated
Best Cinematography
Independent Spirit Awards
Best Cinematography
Independent Spirit Awards
Official Selection
Berlin Int'l Film Festival
Berlin Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
Los Angeles Film Festival
Los Angeles Film Festival
Official Selection
Starz Denver Film Festival
Starz Denver Film Festival
Official Selection
Austin Film Festival
Austin Film Festival