Synopsis
Izzy is a teenage girl living with her mom in an isolation due to her medical condition, so she’s told. One day she meets Amber, a carefree girl, and decides to defy the rules she’s bound to. Izzy makes friends and hangs out with the crowd, unbeknownst to her mom. What follows is her shocking transformation, both figuratively and literally. A coming of age tale combined with the touch of horror, Hellbender is truly a family-made film made with labor of love; all aspects of production including the cast are done by the entire family. A deep and profound indie-gem, the film features the strong presence of Zelda Adams as rebelling Izzy and Toby Poser as her protective mother. This is DIY filmmaking at its best. (Jongsuk Thomas NAM)