As a seasoned cinephile who has seen the gamut of films that span across various genres and emotions, I must admit that Luke Barnett’s short film “The Crossing Over Express” left an indelible mark on me. The story, inspired by his personal experience, resonated deeply with my own life experiences and the universal human longing to connect with lost loved ones.
Approximately two decades after her passing, Luke Barnett unexpectedly received a message from his deceased mother. A text arrived on an unknown number with a YouTube link to a video she had made when he was 16, expressing her pride in him. This video held significant emotional weight, as it was one of the few mementos he had of his mother and no videos existed before. The video’s existence was revealed to be the work of his friend Jon’s father who had found it on an old VHS tape and uploaded it online.
Barnett’s assertion proved valid, given the overwhelming response to his short film titled “The Crossing Over Express,” which was inspired by his personal experience. Within just 72 hours of being uploaded on X, the film garnered more than half a million views and received extensive support from viewers.
In this movie, Barnett plays a character who’s akin to a mysterious doctor (portrayed by Emmy-nominated actress Dot-Marie Jones from “Glee”). This enigmatic figure travels in the cargo area of a big truck and possesses an unusual ability: he can briefly resurrect the dead. This unique blend of melancholy and humor offers a profound reflection on a deeply personal journey, yet manages to resonate universally.
Barnett teamed up with his long-time friend Tanner Thomason to write, produce, and direct the film. The duo have a history of working together, with their most notable project being the 2020 film “Faith Based,” where they both acted, co-wrote, and collaborated with Vincent Masciale. As Thomason recalls, before making films together, they used to work together serving drinks at NoBar in North Hollywood. “I not only understand his creative style, but I know his drink too,” Thomason says. When Barnett shared the idea for this project, Thomason was instantly intrigued. “The concept resonated with me deeply, and I felt it would have a profound impact on him.
The 11-minute short movie titled “The Crossing Over Express” was filmed in Los Angeles within a single day on an almost negligible budget, as shared by director Barnett, with a small but talented team of friends eagerly participating due to their faith in the concept. Despite the tight schedule and deeply personal narrative, director Thomason acknowledges the circumstances were demanding yet exhilarating – “a good kind of stress.” He further explains, “You’re not only striving to execute the day’s plan, but you also aim to create an environment where your friend can excel in their acting performance.
Even though Barnett initially pursued a career as an actor, he stepped away in 2012 when he began receiving writing opportunities. The production of “Faith Based,” which featured Jason Alexander, Margaret Cho, and Lance Reddick, faced some challenges during the pandemic but introduced Barnett to his manager, Courtney Petrakis, who strongly supported his versatility as a multi-talented artist. Encouraged to return to acting, he is currently relishing a recurring role on Apple TV+’s series “For All Mankind.” However, Barnett emphasizes, “I’m a firm advocate of creating your own opportunities. I don’t want to rely on someone else choosing me. Though I am content with the roles I’ve been offered, I yearned to demonstrate my abilities to others. I’m not sure if I achieved that, and only time will tell how many casting directors, directors, or showrunners notice the short film, but I can confidently say it’s the proudest I’ve ever been of a performance.” Prior to shooting the short film, he still had a video of his mother; he watched it just before filming began. “Any success in acting that comes from this short is due to her and my friend Jon’s father, who shared it with me.
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2024-09-25 20:46