Variations on Violence

Johnny operates lethal military drones. Although the violence takes place thousands of miles away, it relentlessly invades his room when he returns home after work. He lives a reclusive life with his sister, Mary; they support one another, and it soon becomes clear that neither could exist without the other. Mary stumbles from one failing relationship to the next, unable to find any stability. Johnny is plagued by nightmares that completely erode his ability to navigate the reality of the here and now.

Zachary Nichols originally conceived the project as an art installation, but it soon became apparent that only a more expansive narrative form could do justice to the subject matter. Yet, the film’s narrative increasingly unravels, mirroring the disintegration of Johnny’s own reality. The storytelling constantly finds new ways to delve deeper into this world of inescapable pain, and—amidst it all—there are moments of profound beauty and empathy that leave a lasting impression on the viewer. If we aim to preserve our humanity, films like this must exist and be seen and experienced.

»This I dreamt. This I dream. And in some time, this I’ll dream again.«

Mary’s Voice Over, in „Variations on Violence”