A story gradually emergesfrom the interesting visuals of Catalyst. The 81-minute feature by Milwaukeefilmmaker Kyle Arpke establishes a sense of isolation and distance. Alone inhis bedroom at night, teenager Terence reads the Bible by flashlight; next day,while practicing batting solo, he stares enviously through the cyclone fence ata happy family. His has been torn apart.
Mom has custody of both hersons, Terence and older brother Kieran. Terence maintains relations with dad, aman who talks a good game but seems unable to accomplish much—including being aresponsible husband and parent. Kieran detests his father. Mom’s patience withher ex is short.
Catalyst is set in whatlooks like small town Wisconsin, complete with abandoned railroad tracksovergrown with weeds, and is suffused with Roman Catholic imagery. Along withisolation and social awkwardness is a search for connection and meaning and,perhaps, tolerance and forgiveness.
Catalyst won an award at theBeloit International Film Festival and is currently in submission to a varietyof other festivals.
