Synopsis
When a woman takes a new drug meant to enhance assertiveness by blocking empathy, she ends up locked in a deadly power struggle with her dismissive husband.
Mousy Hana is thrilled to discover a new pill that temporarily disables the empathy center of the brain so that people who have always had trouble putting themselves first can finally get a chance to succeed in life and love. Her husband, Aleksi, calls all the shots in their marriage, largely by criticizing and manipulating her into feeling sorry for him. With the help of the drug, Hana hopes to assert herself and improve their relationship.
At first, the pill seems to be paying off: she’s able to stand up for herself and meet her needs. But there’s a downside: when the drug wears off, all of her guilt comes rushing back. In order to avoid these attacks, Hana increases her dosage and, as a result, begins to lose her humanity.
Into the Uncanny Valley is a psychological horror/thriller with a touch of dark comedy that explores the cost of choosing to live without empathy – a trait traditionally associated with the feminine – in order to succeed in a man’s world.
CARLOS MONTANER
DIRECTOR / CINEMATOGRAPHER
Born in Puerto Rico to a family of Cuban exiles, Carlos Montaner was raised in Madrid, Spain. At sixteen, he read the autobiography of Oscar award-winning cinematographer Nestor Almendros (Days of Heaven, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice) and it changed his life. Almendros took Carlos on as a mentee after he moved to New York to earn a BFA in film at the School of Visual Arts. Then, on Almendros’ advice, he traveled to Los Angeles where he received his MFA in cinematography at the American Film Institute.
Mentored by the late D.P. Michael Ballhaus on the set of Mambo Kings, Carlos went on to shoot multiple independent films such as Friends and Lovers starring Robert Downey Jr. for Lionsgate. His work on the Francisco Lorite short film Mediation won Best Cinematography in the short film category in the Sydney Indie Film Festival in 2015. He has also photographed over a hundred national, international and local commercial campaigns and has pitched, directed and photographed many others, including the San Francisco’s Super Bowl spot for ESPN.
Carlos also has a passion for documentaries and has shot extensively for the History and Discovery channel. He directed his own documentary film on Cuba, The Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution, which was an official selection of the Cincinnati Film Festival.
He is a dedicated cinematographer and director with a passion for fiction, horror and the terrifying truths of documentary. Carlos currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.
