Straight-laced family man Javier Baena (Ashley Tabatabai) confronts the man, who has been stalking his family for months. Baena’s stalker, a disheveled Henry Mercer (Mitchell Mullen), has a life-shattering secret.
Director Stefan Fairlamb’s Falsified is inspired by Los Ninos Robados, Spain’s stolen baby scandal. During the 1930’s and 1980’s more than 300,000 children were stolen from their parents at birth.
“…goes straight to the heart of the conflict rather than bore us with needless exposition.”
Fairlamb and writer Ashley Tabatabai wisely use the short film form to show they can put together a few moments of dramatic tension to tell a complete story. In other words, they go straight to the heart of the conflict rather than bore us with needless exposition.
For Baena, he is confronted with a stranger’s story that contradicts everything he’s known about his adoption. Mercer, on the other hand, is convinced that Baena is his son based solely on the observation that he looks like his recently deceased wife. A simple genetics test would answer the question. But is knowing the truth worth disrupting everything you’ve known about your past?
Falsified is a good melodramatic tale about two men and the consequences of knowing the truth. The truth is revealed with an ironic ending. Good acting from Ashley Tabatabai and Mitchell Mullen.
Falsified (2017) Directed by Stefan Fairlamb. Written by Ashley Tabatabai. Starring Ashley Tabatabai and Mitchell Mullen.
3 out of 5 stars
