Reel Indie

Kick A Rock’s ‘Aphrodite Inc.’ wins 48 Hour Film Project

By Daniel Patton
September 27, 2019

“Aphrodite Inc.”

“The most
family-friendly
sex robot movie
ever made”
will now compete
for a chance to
screen at Cannes

The 48 Hour Film Project often breeds a highly sophisticated level of absurdity. The rules of the competition require participating teams to shoot, edit, and finish films in two days, but that’s just the beginning.

In order to successfully complete the race, each submission must contain a specific character name, an occupation, a prop, and a line of dialogue.

The required elements for 2019: Trudy or Trevor Fenderson, designer, a hat, and “I’m waiting for a friend of mine.” Like every year, the stipulations added a heavy dose of improv to the urgent mix of film production and technology.

And, like every year, the results were brilliant.

The winner for Best Film, Aphrodite Inc, tells the story of a couple who attempt to spice up their love life with technology. 48HFP Chicago City Producer Jerry Vasilatos describes it as “the most family-friendly sex robot movie ever made.”

48 HOUR FILM PROJECT — BEST FILM
APHRODITY INC. | KICK A ROCK

A pretty heavy competition
The 2019 Best of Chicago films included an impeccably timed news report about a high school election, a black and white spy thriller carried to a goofy extreme, a one-woman show inside an Uber ride to Six Flags, a body-snatching video about acceptable office behavior, a blind date enhanced by witchcraft, and an accidental death by ribbon dance recorded on the surveillance cameras of a motel sting operation.

Die, Frat Boy! Die! won over the audience with its title alone.

Aphrodite Inc was created by Kick A Rock, “a tight-knit group of five guys who mostly reside in the South Side of Chicago,” according to Team Leader Sergio Torres. It marked the tenth time that the team competed at the festival.

“We came up with the concept of robots in a nice family home on Friday night,” says Torres. “We wanted to convey the idea that real people are better than artificial intelligence.”

Kick A Rock accepts their check at the 48HFP

For their winning effort, Kick A Rock won a check for $1,000 and a trip to the 2020 Filmapalooza Festival, where they will compete against other 48 Hour Film Project winners for a chance to go to the Cannes Short Film Corner.

“I look forward to seeing how the Aphrodite Inc. dating-app angle is received by international audiences,” says Vasilatos. “It was pretty heavy competition this year.”

ALSO READ: Chicago-made ‘Knockout’ is going to Cannes

In the meantime, Kick A Rock will continue their regular schedule of creating and distributing sketch comedy videos on their website and YouTube channel. But not before enjoying a well-earned celebration.

“We spent about $700 to enter and get food and rent equipment,” says Torres. “We’re going to pay ourselves back, and the leftovers will go to a party with the cast and crew.”

ALSO READ: Chicago-made “Hammersmith” going to Cannes

48 HOUR FILM PROJECT
2019 WINNERS

Best Film
Kick a Rock Aphrodite Inc.

Best Film Runner Up
Bearcat Productions Redesign Your Life

Best Directing
Bearcat Productions Redesign Your Life

Best Writing
Kick a Rock Aphrodite Inc.

Best Actor
Ride Share Greg Norgaard

Best Actress
Joette Waters Redesign Your Life

Best Sound Design
Kick a Rock Aphrodite Inc.

Best Editing
Visual Disturbance Productions Fahrenheit 78

Best Cinematography
Kick a Rock Aphrodite Inc.

Best Graphics
Bearcat Productions Redesign Your Life