Watch Telephone World

Telephone World is a unique independent film directed by Alex Calleros that explores the lives of various people living in a small town in the mid-twentieth century. Set in a time before cell phones and the internet, the residents of this town communicate with each other through the telephone lines that run through the streets. The film begins with a scene of a young woman named Betty (played by Elissa Dowling) walking along the deserted streets of the town in the early hours of the morning. As she approaches a public telephone booth, she dials a phone number and leaves a message for her husband, who has been missing for several days. The tone of her voice is desperate and tired, and her words hint at a troubled past.

From this point on, the film follows the intertwined lives of several characters in the town, all of whom are connected to each other by the telephone lines. There is the young couple who are trying to navigate the rocky waters of a long-distance relationship, the elderly woman who spends her days listening in on other people's conversations, and the lonely office worker who uses the phone to escape from his mundane job.

The main thread that runs through the film is the disappearance of Betty's husband, and the impact that this has on the people around her. As news spreads through the town, we see how different characters react to the situation. Some are empathetic and supportive, while others are more concerned with their own problems. In particular, a local DJ named Marty (played by Eric Fleming) becomes obsessed with the story, using his radio show as a platform to speculate on what might have happened.

One of the most interesting aspects of Telephone World is the way in which it plays with the idea of communication. For a film that is set in a time without modern technology, it is surprisingly relevant to our modern world, where we are constantly connected to each other through a range of devices. By focusing on the telephone as a means of communication, the film highlights the way in which our dependence on technology has affected our ability to connect with one another on a deeper level.

Throughout the film, we see characters struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness, despite the fact that they are constantly surrounded by people. The telephone becomes a lifeline for them, a way of reaching out to others who might be experiencing the same feelings. However, as the film progresses, we also see the darker side of this kind of communication, with characters using the anonymity of the telephone to manipulate and deceive others.

The performances in Telephone World are uniformly strong, with Elissa Dowling delivering a particularly affecting portrayal of a woman struggling to hold onto her sanity in the face of overwhelming loss. Eric Fleming is also excellent as Marty, bringing a sense of charm and energy to his role as the town's resident gossip.

Visually, the film is beautifully shot, with a soft color palette that captures the warmth and nostalgia of the time period. Director Alex Calleros has a real talent for framing his shots in a way that draws the viewer into the world of the film, creating a sense of intimacy that is often lacking in larger, more bombastic productions.

Overall, Telephone World is a thoughtful and engaging film that explores the complexities of human relationships in a unique and compelling way. If you're looking for something that is a little more subdued and nuanced than your typical Hollywood fare, it's definitely worth checking out.

Telephone World is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.