Chryzinium

Plot

The film opens with a dimly lit scientist talking about a powerful drug that could cure all diseases and how the government would use it to control society.

It then goes to a flashback of a younger John (Rick Lord) at a park with his pregnant wife Elizabeth (Tracy Wachter Webber) and a very young Cory. The flashback fades to an older John waiting in his truck outside a country store. Inside the store we see his daughter Madison (Phoebe Jacobs) and a now older Cory (Tim Wade) who works at the store. Madison then attempts to purchase some items with a hundred dollar bill, but is refused because she does not have the chip. She then storms out to the truck. Narration reveals that they are called "Timers" and cannot buy, sell or function in society. Just as they are about to leave Cory runs out with a bag of groceries and puts it in their truck. He hands Madison a bag of candy and acknowledges his dad. John's narration plays while they drive off, "Cory is one of them now" and "they stole my son from me."

Time has passed and John is now chopping wood in front of their house while Madison brings out a bowl of chili and they go inside. John goes and sits at the table while Madison pours him a cup of water. Narration starts about how "Eli controls everything".

It is now night time and John is sitting on the couch with Madison looking through a photo album. John narrates "12 years ago, I promised Elizabeth I'd takes care of Madison and Cory. I failed Cory. I refuse to fail Madison."

A little time later Madison is putting cans of food awhile and John is working on a radio. Suddenly greenish lightning starts up and a loud pulsing hum is building intensity. Radios and the TV turn on and off, one radio plays a song which sends John into a flashback.

A younger John is seen bringing tea to his dying wife Elizabeth. Tearfully she asks John to promise to take care of their children. John promises and holds her hand while the song plays. John narrates "I think of Elizabeth every minute of every day. She was my everything. She's still my everything."

Back in reality Madison walks up to John and sits next to him bringing him out of the flashback.

The next morning John is on the porch drinking coffee. He then goes to the side of the house and brings in wood, placing it inside next to the fireplace. Madison walks into the kitchen and pours herself a cup of coffee. John then tells her he is going to Luke's place to pick up supplies.

John arrives at the place and greets Luke (Edward Stiner). They go to the back of the truck and Luke takes a heavy box into the shed nearby. He then returns with jugs of water. John narrates "We either trade or steal for what we need. Survival has become a way of life for us."

Back at the house Madison is doing homework when the greenish lightning starts up again. She goes to window and then opens the door looking outside. Suddenly the TV turns on and an alien-looking human called Eli (Phillip Wade) calls her name. Madison turns, startled. The alien then says "Checking to see if your okay? Your dad is being..." He is cut short and disappears. Outside John's truck rolls in the long driveway. Madison goes back to the couch and continues her homework. John steps in and carries a jug of water to the kitchen. Suddenly a bolt of the greenish lightning comes out of the electrical outlet and hits Madison on the hand. John rushes to her side and asks if she is okay. Chimes begin ringing from outside and John and Madison walk out to the porch. Standing in front of their mailbox is Eli. He acknowledges John and then takes a white box out of his coat and puts it in the mailbox and then vanishes with lightning. John goes back inside and Madison goes to retrieve the box. As she is walking back to the house, the wind picks up and lightning starts again. The alien voice is heard saying her name.

John is sitting at the table when Madison enters the house. They stare at each other for a bit and then Madison sits at the table next to him, placing the box of Chryzinium on the table. She then tells John that "Maybe Chryzinium isn't as bad as we..." John stops her mid sentence. "He got to you didn't he?" They have a short conversation about Chryzinium and John warns her about it.

It then fades to the outside of their house. Narration plays, "To the deceiver we have sold our souls land and freedom. However it is the deceived we hold responsible." The camera pans up to the sky revealing a massive spacecraft hovering over the landscape. A cover of "Beulah Land" begins to play as the end credits start.

Cast

Production

Shooting began on April 22, 2014. The film's opening scenes were shot in Macleay, Oregon at the Macleay Village Store. The film was primarily shot in Salem, Oregon in a warehouse where the interior house set was built. The extorior house set was built in Stayton, Oregon

Release

The film premiered at the Grand Theater in Salem, Oregon on September 23, 2014, followed by becoming an official selection at the 48th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival and the 2015 Beverly Hills Film Festival.

Feature Film

It was announced January 2015 that a feature film by the same title was being adapted from the short film. The film is currently in development.