lystn

Gabe’s talents earned him several category nominations and our Best Drama award in 2018. His restrained and heartwarming film, “DV-130” conquered our most competitive category with its mature sensibility and perspective, character-driven emotional core, and subtle, but purposeful, layers of conflict. A “DV-130” is the official legal document representing a domestic violence protection order - a protection that typically ends when the individual turns 18 years old. In the film, we meet the protagonist, Josiah as he wakes up on his 18th birthday to an email from his dad, signifying the end of a restraining order that has protected him from domestic violence. But this pivotal moment is just the beginning of a story concept ripe with vulnerability, unlikely bonds, and powerful transformation.

As a young filmmaker, Gabe innately understood the delicate process of portraying the weight of internal emotional conflict. His ability to elevate the ordinary through deftly paced layers of subtext creates a constant sense of momentum accented by essential dramatic beats that consistently propel the narrative forward. These beats are developed by short scenes packed with meaning and aided by careful cinematic technique. And they offer a refreshing, compelling ride for the viewer - tension rises and shifts - multiple conflicts emerge, fall back, linger and explode - secondary characters seamlessly drift through the lives of the dual protagonists increasing our understanding of their depth and connection - imagery and score create worlds within worlds with ample room for reflection - and everything comes full circle without spoiling and spelling out the story’s most inviting questions and themes. It’s a wonderful film that speaks, both in script and delivery, in a whisper more powerful than any scream and it certainly put Gabe’s unique gifts on our radar...

For more info: https://www.gabrielgaurano.com