The Underground
2014
An Iranian refugee experiences North American life by imagining himself as a cockroach, the only living creature that will survive after humanity perishes in the apocalypse. Inspired by the bestselling novel "Cockroach" written by Rawi Hage, The Underground is a visceral and imaginative portrayal of one man's struggle to fit into western culture as he battles past demons.
"This story of exile is concise and beautifully made."
Rawi Hage, Author "Cockroach"
AWARDS
Premiered at Toronto International Film Festival
Winner: Canadian National Screen Institute - Drama Prize
Winner: ImagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival - Best Short Film
Winner: Northern Ontario Film & Music Award - Best Short Film
Winner: Yorkton Golden Sheaf Award - Best Short Film
Winner: WIFT Award - Best Editing, Best Cinematography
CREDITS
Written, Produced & Directed by: Michelle Latimer
Producers: Tara Woodbury & Kerry Swanson
Executive Producers: Paula Devonshire & Danis Goulet
Director of Photography: Guy Godfree
Art Direction: Nazgol Goshtasbpour
Editor: Kye Meechan
IN THE NEWS
Quill & Quire - Michelle Latimer's adaptation of Rawi Hage's Cockroach premieres at TIFF
IndieWire - Toronto International Film Festival Reveals Slate of Canadian Features and Short Films
Toronto Star - TIFF 2014 Meet Three Canadian Directors
Women and Hollywood - Tiff Women Directors: Meet Michelle Latimer
Broadway World - Winners Announced for Toronto's 15th Annual ImagineNATIVE Film Festival
Playback Magazine - Cameras Roll on Michelle Latimer's Latest Short
The National Screen Institute Canada - The Underground to Begin Shooting
The Film Button - The Underground: A Short Film Inspired by Rawi Hage's novel "Cockroach" at TIFF 14