CATCH | Omeleto

A father and daughter are quarantined at home.

Tom and his young daughter Amy are quarantined together in their home, the result of living in a post-antibiotic world where diseases have become treatment-resistant and antibiotics have failed.

Though she knows that she must avoid anything from the outside during a particularly lethal pandemic, Amy is still a young girl and longs for some semblance of normalcy. But when she gets sick, Tom has a difficult decision to make: give her up to the authorities, who will take her away, or risk getting infected himself.

Written and directed by Paul Cooke and Dominic Rees-Roberts, this drama has a premise worthy of science fiction. But with its attention to emotion and relationship and its beautiful evocation of the bond between parent and child, it's also a compelling family drama about loyalty and love in the face of even the direst of circumstances.

The craftsmanship in particular prizes a closely held intimacy and attention, staying close within the domestic sphere of the family. The writing focuses exclusively on the father and his daughter, tracing their close bond, and is brought to life by understated yet profoundly moving performances by actors Lollie McKenzie and Henry Douthwaite as Amy and Tom.

The action is situated entirely around the house, and is shot with a muted, cool light and naturalistic camerawork that captures both a sense of subtle but chilling isolation and the fragile tenderness of a family home. As a result, the world has a feel of hushed suspension that seems almost idyllic at times -- until viewers realize it's because so many people that populated the world are gone silent because of death, quarantine and illness.

But even in the midst of pandemics, children get restless and parents become overprotective, and a natural conflict between them becomes raised to dangerous stakes. Once Tom realizes Amy has been infected, he is put in a terrible position as a father and a human being, and those dangerous stakes lead to a decision that will be tragic, no matter how it plays out.

It's impossible to watch CATCH and not think about today's own epidemics. Made in consultation with scientists and doctors who are experts in the subject of antibiotic resistance, the short credibly brings to life a public health threat that is all too real in today's world, with a lucid, intelligent sense of craft and performance that keep it from becoming a well-meaning but overly earnest "issue of the week" movie.

But in the midst of talk of diseases, medicines and vaccines, CATCH reminds us that sometimes abstract ideas of science have deeply human consequences and resonance. Through its moving and heartwrenching narrative, it evokes just how intimately and emotionally these public news issues can affect us -- and just how powerful familial love can be, making difficult choices even more heart-rending and reminding us just what is at stake.

[Sol-incr]

Watching someone being quarantined while I'm being quarantined and probably someone's reading this while being quarantined

[EddVCR]

It’s weird when the reality is more bizarre than in the films. The dad taking off his mask in the daughter’s room and later touching his face all over without washing his hands made me nervous.

[davidguthrie]

Our little Midwest city hasn’t been affected by the pandemic yet. Life is still very normal as we watch what feels like a cheesy summer catastrophe film unfolding before us on the news. I took the day off yesterday. My wife and I went shopping for the week and picking up a little extra to be prepared. We took the kids out to dinner and saw a movie. We went shopping at our favorite stores and hung out at Barnes and Noble, enjoyed the atmosphere and stocked up on books we’ve wanted to read. Wanted to make a fun memory and soak up normality before what seems like an inevitable lock down.

Edit: In the last 12 hours everything has flipped upside down. Confirmed cases rolled in, events canceled, schools closed and stores are crazy...a little stunned.

[tinokats]

This is touching. The way he sacrifices his safety over showing love to his daughter and hence allow them to enjoy each other as family, to allow each other to be human and to live, is just beautiful. This is what true love is. It is sacrifial. You lay down your own for the other.

Also, I'm a medical student and I appreciate the message being spread on how devastating antibiotic resistance can be. I hope this encourages us to use antibiotics wisely.

Just quick pointers on how to do thta:

1. When prescribed an antibiotic course take it as prescribed and FINISH the course

2. Do not share antibiotics

3. Avoid taking antibiotics without a doctor prescribing them to you(e.g you have a cough and you take antibiotics without seeing a doctor. Most coughs do mot need antibiotics anyway as they are self resolving)

4. Properly prescribe antibiotics, that is when indicated and avoid self prescribing (this one is for healthcare personnel).

[zepp]

Girl: **Doesn’t wash her hands**
Me: That was your first mistake

[showaltermicro]

If they would have had 500 rolls of toilet paper - they would have been safe lol

[alessandralazzaroni]

I live in northern Italy, I haven't left home in two weeks and seeing this short film made me anxious. However, I don't regret watching it, because it was really beautiful and touching. Good job directors! And thanks to Omeleto for keeping me company during this quarantine. Stay safe and, please, don't understimate the problem!

[vicokhangtravel]

anyone notice the metaphor between the mices and the poison?

"the more we put in, the more they come, it like they become immune."

[Georgia-pd]

My school is getting shut down this week, we’ve all heard of pandemics before but now it’s different because the average person has or will be affected, or infected.

[vaishali]

What's so beautiful is not the realization, but his acceptance of it?

[theananyo]

Corona isn't gonna do a fraction of the damage antibiotic resistance will.

[billydale]

Admit it, you scrolled down looking for the corona comments :D

[mariamghabbour]

Indeed, the underlining message here is that antibiotic resistance is becoming one of the most alarming conditions we have nowadays... remember not to expose yourself to antibiotics unless necessary and with the counsel of an appropriate health professional. Thank you to Omeleto for bringing some awarness to this concerning subject.

[Mozes]

I'm glad he got his senses back by the end. If you already lost your wife and son, and your daughter is all you have left... Then do all you can to give her the world. How I see it, she's all you have left to live and care for...

[YourAverageMCGuy]

Pandemics in fiction: Parents become overprotective and the power of love brings us together


Pandemics in reality: Parents make conspiracy theories against the government and protest in the middle of the street infecting their entire family

[hel]

This is truly heartbreaking. I can't even begin to imagine how painful it would've felt to experience such a tragedy in family.

[enaszaq]

Looks like that was both airborne and contagious. But you know what I love most about this short film? the fact that the dad went against keeping his daughter cooped up while he was still healthy and decided that being sick with the rest of the family is better than living alone. That is what I call loyalty

[phroggie_]

1:44 “i drew this for you” i immediately thought of her coughing all over the picture before she gave it too him🥺😂

[norinb]

*Me sees this in recommended*
Me: to watch or not to watch?
Brain: don't. It will give you anxiety
Watched it anyways

[josephiandavid]

Am I the only person that thinks the little girl sounds like Peppa Pig?