A Drive at Dawn

Written & Directed by Joe D'Ovidio
Starring Eric Lampaert

Dialogue-free mystery neo-western · 7 min · USA/UK

Three men drive into the desert, certain of what must be done.

Director’s Note

A Drive at Dawn grew from an interest in what happens when our understanding of someone is suddenly overturned. I wanted to explore the uncomfortable space between judgement, anger and compassion — and what remains after someone believes they've done the right thing.

I originally wrote the film with dialogue, but found that every line either gave the audience an answer or told them which question to ask. Removing it became part of the idea: trusting performance, image, editing and sound to let the audience piece the story together for themselves.

Selected Festivals

LA Shorts · PÖFF Shorts · San Jose International Short Film Festival

Fantaspoa · HÕFF · FilmQuest · Panic Fest · Nightmares Film Festival

Méliès d’Argent Short Film Competition — Fantaspoa & HÕFF

Selected Credits

Director / Writer — Joe D’Ovidio
Producers — Erika N Ewing, Catherine Taylor
Cinematography — Robert Nachman
Editor — Anna Meller
Original Score — Hollie Buhagiar
Sound Design & Re-recording Mix — Harry Butcher / Wave Studios London
Colourist — Katie Dymmock
Starring — Eric Lampaert