The indie short For the Safety of Theo had its world premiere at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theater as part of Dances with Films Festival, and it’s not hard to see why it was selected.
For the Safety of Theo follows a young man with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) who must purge himself of the consequences of a casual hook-up from the night before in order to regain his sense of stability. It takes an unflinching look on his meticulous routine as well as what happens when someone disrupts it.
The story is largely inspired by writer/director Christopher Macken’s own lived experience with OCD. Said Macken, “It’s a constant disappointment how OCD is portrayed in film and TV; Often stereotyped as ‘being organized’ or ‘keeping things tidy,’ when in fact, that barely scratches the surface. Most people don’t realize how painful living with OCD can be, not only for the person overrun by their compulsions, but for the people around them—specifically in their sexual and romantic relationships.”
Creating a Distinct Visual Language
Macken worked closely with his director of photography Kenzen Takahashi to create a distinct visual language. Through snappy editing, dynamic sound mixing, hardcore music, and deliberate framing, the audience is able to understand Theo’s inner state as he navigates through a world that constantly triggers his OCD.
The team also had Jenna Larson as their intimacy coordinator to ensure the mental, physical, and emotional safety of the actors. By doing so, Larson helped actor Darragh O’Toole (previous credits include Apple TV+ Foundation as Romus and HBO Peaky Blinders as Liam) feel comfortable to be raw and vulnerable in his portrayal of Theo, which is evident in his stellar performance.
The story subverts the stereotypical “fun-quirkiness” of what OCD entails in favor of a more realistic depiction of how OCD can govern your life, especially if you don’t have the adequate resources to learn how to manage it. Said Macken, “I’m very grateful to have worked in the film industry for the last five years, while also working on managing my intrusive thoughts through OCD therapy, support groups, meditation, and 12 steps. In recent years, OCD recovery has been a huge part of my life and has, in response, become a huge part of my art.”
For the Safety of Theo combines superb technical craftsmanship with strong direction to create a narrative that captures an anxiety-inducing portrayal of OCD. Be sure to check out their website safetyoftheo.com or follow the film on Instagram @safetyoftheo to keep up to date with their film festival run!
