Now Playing: “Rocket Man”

“No longer a boy and yet still full of joy”…so states a narrator near the conclusion of Laurence Cohen’s ingenious, sci-fi-tinged short, The Rocket Man, whose title derives from lead character Benji’s favorite childhood book. This simple phrase sums up Cohen’s own philosophy about the role of cinema in his life, and what he hopes to share with the audience: a sense of wonder along with a healthy resistance to growing up and abandoning one’s dreams. 12-year-old Benji similarly hopes to defend against the encroachment of eventual adulthood when he chances upon a disturbing discovery in his father’s laboratory basement: a mute 12-year-old girl, caged and deprived of human contact, with whom Benji develops a bond.

Rich in allegory, the film presents two intertwining storylines: that of Benji and that of the rocket man in the children’s story. Cohen, who began making films in grammar school and who has won awards for his documentary as well as animated films, completed his B.A. in Film and Video at York University in Toronto. The Rocket Man, an Angelus live-action finalist, was named Best Canadian Short at the Okanagan International Film Festival and has screened at the Bridge Fest in Bosnia, the Mississauga Independent Film Festival and the Bay Street Film Festival.

CHILDHOOD: ON THE CUSP BETWEEN NEST AND LAUNCHING PAD

Short Synopsis:

It’s a sad day when imaginative BENJI FERRACE (12) is forced to accompany his father to work. His adventures lead him out of his father’s office, into the downstairs dungeons, where he makes his most surprising discovery to date. Locked up as an animal in a cage, is PHIVIE (12), a young, mute girl, deprived of all human interaction. The two lonely souls immediately strike a bond. Benji’s daydream world is shattered as he must come to terms with the moral complications of his father’s work and with his oncoming maturity.

About the Director: Laurence Cohen

Beginning claymation at the tender age of 8, Laurence had made 15 films by the time he was 16, and 25 films to date. Laurence’s work ‘Pop Wars’ at age 15 was nominated for ‘Best Computer Animated Film’ at the EyeLenz Film Festival. It was also nominated for ‘Editing’, which is rare since editing in animation takes place before production. Also, by the age of 15, he had won 12 awards for acting in the Calgary Kiwanis Festival including the gold medal in the ‘Duologue’ category for three consecutive years. In his graduating year of high school Laurence won ‘Best Film’ at the Western Canada High School Film Festival and was awarded scholarship entry into York University’s film production program.

Having interned at Aurenya Entertainment, Idea Machine, and New Machine Studios for multiple years, Laurence gained professional experience in animation and special effects including credits for “Raven Tales.” Raven Tales has, among other festivals, screened at Sundance and won the ‘Governor’s Cup’ at the Sante Fe film festival.

His 2nd year film ‘Left Hook’ won Best Documentary at the Young Cuts festival in Montreal in 2006. His 3rd year film is currently being considered by the Alberta Ministry of Education to be used in schools across the province as an anti-bullying film.

His most recent short film, ‘The Rocket Man,’ won ‘Best Canadian Short’ at the 12th Okanagan International Film Festival and has screened at BridgeFest (Bosnia) and at MIFF (Mississauga Independant Film Festival). It will soon screen at the Bay Street Film Festival and is also a semi-finalist at the Angelus Student Film Festival 2009.

His documentary ‘Life in a Day with Magen David Adom’ has been distributed by the head office of Magen David Adom Canada to all the country’s chapters.

He is currently preparing a short film on Esther Brandeau, the first Jewish girl to enter Canada.

Laurence loves to tell stories that take the audience on a journey. ‘The ultimate cinematic experience is in establishing an imaginative world and realizing its most creative, integral and powerful interaction with the characters.’