THE SOUL TRADER, the new supernatural thriller from director/producer Susan Dynner and her production company Aberration Films, will screen at Cinequest/Cinejoy, with more to come. The film’s gathered fans, accolades and media attention since its preview screenings at the American Pavilion at Cannes, the Manhattan Film Festival, and many others.
THE SOUL TRADER is a proof-of-concept for a feature that follows the story of Coral Chase (newcomer Shauna Grace)—an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls. She then sells them to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind.
The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo(Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery). The film has been produced by Dynner’s Los Angeles-based production company Aberration Films as both festival fare as well as proof of concept for a feature or TV series.
Dynner says, “THE SOUL TRADER introduces a new breed of complex heroine to our screens. She’s a cold, contract killer with occult powers and now rivals want to learn her secrets. Our short is a proof of concept for something much bigger and we can’t wait to let Coral loose on the world. We were so lucky to pull together an incredibly talented team of actors and crew who brought so much to the shoot and the production.”
Shane West adds, “Working on THE SOUL TRADER was great fun. It’s good to flex your Machiavellian muscles every now and again and I got to do that playing Damien. It’s a short that packs a big punch and has huge potential.”
THE SOUL TRADER
An Aberration Films Production
Running Time: 12 minutes
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Director/Producer: Susan Dynner
Writer: Mike Underwood
Producer: Lauren Bancroft
Executive Producer: Shauna Grace
Cinematographer: Matthias Schubert
Editor: David Hopper
Music by Jeff Russo
Cast: Shane West, Shauna Grace, Dexter Hobert,
Gabriela Kostadinova, and Shyheim Parker, with Donna Mills