Fear. Isolation. A high stakes mission and a wounded friend. It’s the principle dilemma at the heart of many a war movie, and it’s the central conflict in the latest short film from director Greg Koorhan, with a twist.
“Following Chase” is Koorhan’s follow-up to the short video game-themed romantic comedy “Level Up,” and it’s currently playing the film festival circuit including screenings at the Sonoma International Film Festival, the Cape Fear Independent Film Festival and the Bare Bones Independent Film Festival.
The film follows a young soldier named Ted (David Corenswet, who also wrote the screenplay) on his first mission in the wilderness. He’s accompanying his friend Chase (Leo Koorhan), a more experienced soldier determined to retrieve the contents of a box in the possession of an unknown assailant.
Nervous and insecure, Ted fears he and Chase will be separated and he’ll have to face their opponent on his own. But when Chase is injured, it’s up to Ted to reach their objective and get them both to safety before it’s too late.
Clocking in at a tight 11 minutes, “Following Chase” packs a punch in a short amount of time. It’s easy to feel the intensity as Ted and Chase pursue their goal, amplified by the wilderness setting where you never know who could be lurking nearby.
Leo Koorhan’s Chase is a strong foil for Corenswet’s uneasy rookie, determined and sure of himself while Ted is initially hesitant and uneasy. But Ted is a likable protagonist, and you can’t help but root for him as he grows into an honorable soldier in his own right.
Greg Koorhan has a knack for telling concise stories that quickly grab the audience’s attention and keep them engaged throughout. It’s a skill he employed well in “Level Up,” and Corenswet’s screenplay complements his style.
In “Following Chase,” you don’t know what Ted and Chase are after and you don’t know who’s pursuing them, but you know immediately that the stakes are high. It’s an intense journey that leads to a rewarding payoff, as the film veers in an unexpected and satisfying direction rooted in nostalgia that makes you connect with Ted all the more.
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