Are you willing to die for what you believe in? In a clash of thought, one truth-teller and one truth-seeker debate the meaning of life, art, and the difference between right and wrong. Condemned Dreams is a study on causes we all deem worth fighting for, for better or for worse.
A fallen journalist seeks redemption through the final interview with Shy, a condemned revolutionary. Their battle of ideals forces her to confront truth, justice, and belief as Shy faces death for her principles.
Condemned Dreams, IMDB
Shy (played by Soft Abilez) is on death row. Lauren (Catherine Parish) finds her story incredibly fascinating — just the right thing to get her journalism career back on track. In a series of visitations with Shy and the detective who arrested her (Brady Moldrup), Lauren learns what she really wants out of life. An Indie feature with psychological roots, Condemned Dreams replaces hardcore gore and action with thought pieces, heavy dialog, and dramatic portrayals of life behind bars for one artistic felon.
As Lauren pushes for more story, Shy instead delivers context to her situation — and their world at large. In conversations about art, respect, and freedom, Lauren looks into her own life and spreads that thought onto Detective Marshall as their own relationship grows closer. Lauren’s purpose in life is renewed, Detective Marshall decides to take a different, more fulfilling path in life, and Shy becomes a martyr for her own cause.
Condemned Dreams isn’t quite a slow burn, but another type of slow (in a good way). It dwells on speech, giving the viewer time to really digest what is being said and why. Every word has been meticulously chosen to express a particular message. Condemned Dreams should not be looked at as a police drama, but more as a thought piece, a means to looking inside oneself. When not talking to Lauren, Shy spends her nights confined to her cell, drifting to and fro in interpretive dances; her movements simulate the turbulence of her world, a tidal ocean begging to be set free. It is a perfect mirror to what is inside our heads.
Condemned Dreams may be quiet and dialog heavy, but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to say. As horror films often do, it has a message that could mean wildly different things to each and every viewer. The point is to listen and look within.
Condemned Dreams is available to stream on Tubi. For more, follow writer/director George Tsouris on Instagram.
