A Problem With Fear or Laurie´s Anxiety Confronting the Escalator

Colour, 35 mm
Canada, 2003, 94 min
Section: Forum of Independents
Oficiální stránky: www.aproblemwithfearthemovie.com

Synopsis

Laurie is afraid of pretty much everything: elevators, escalators, crossing the street, spaghetti covered in red sauce, loud voices and, of course, making a commitment to his girlfriend. His sister works at Global Safety Inc. and she is able to give Laurie a prototype of a recently developed safety system. Special software warns of impending danger, while the Safe Bracelet senses the wearer’s fear and calls for help. Is it possible that Laurie’s fears have infected the very system designed to protect its customers? The city starts being ruled by the Storm of Fear with deadly consequences...  Erin, a neurotic Global Safety employee who is aware of a computer glitch, suggests that Laurie kill himself. Only then can the problem be solved... A dark comedy about what happens when a global safety system goes mad.

About the director

Gary Burns, writer, director and producer, was born in Calgary on April 18, 1960. He studied literature and fine arts and graduated in film studies at Concordia University in Calgary in 1992. He has made several short films. His directorial debut, The Suburbanators, was a critical success at the 1995 Toronto Film Festival. After his second film, Kitchen Party, he came to be considered one of Canada’s most interesting young directors. Films: Happy Valley (short, 1992), Beerland (short, 1993), Turtleheads (short, 1993), The Suburbanators (1995), Kitchen Party (1997), Fuck Coke (short, 1999), Waydowntown (2000), My Life As A Movie (TV, 2003), A Problem with Fear (2003).