ZERO DAY Rating: Director: Ben Coccio Producers: Elizabeth Bell, C.L. Coccio, Courtney Jordan, David Shuff Writer: Ben Coccio, Chris Coccio Director of Photography: Cast: Calvin Robertson, Andre Keuck

(Read the interview with director Ben Coccio)

Review by: Warren Curry
9/15/02

Movies don't get much more polarizing than Ben Coccio's very difficult Zero Day. It's a film that examines violence, yet doesn't take an easily discernible stance on the subject. Rest assured, it's not a work that in any way is promoting the disturbed mindset or behavior of its main characters, but the lack of a traditional philosophy is guaranteed to divide audiences. Coccio draws a portrait of two characters, who most people would rather not confront or accept as real, and demands that you spend 90 minutes isolated in their world. There's an aspect of Zero Day that feels almost dangerous or subversive; a film that steadfastly refuses to blink and very consciously challenges the viewer on psychological terms.

Andre Kriegman (Andre Keuck) and Calvin Gabriel (Calvin Robertson) are high school friends who have united in their distaste for the world around them. They view their school as the embodiment of all that's wrong with their environment and are determined to issue what they describe as a "wake up call" to those around them. As the film begins, the two start recording a video diary of their preparation for what they've deemed "zero day" -- the day they intend to massacre a substantial population of their classmates -- and aim to leave the tape as an explanation note to the media. We follow Andre and Calvin through the initial stages of their mission to the completion of it nearly a year after the plan was set in motion.

I'm not quite sure Columbine is far enough in the past for most moviegoers to be willing to analyze this film fairly, and there's something so ritualistic and clinical in the main characters' thought process and actions which will be tough for many to stomach. What's so disturbing and powerful about this film is that Andre and Calvin aren't portrayed as emotional types who are lashing out uncontrollably at what they deem an unfair world. On the contrary, their malice is methodical and incredibly disciplined. Make no mistake, Andre and Calvin won't be apologizing for the destruction left in their wake, as they truly believe there is a method to their madness.

If it sounds like a bitter pill to swallow, well, that's because it is. Since the film's point of view never shifts (with the exception of the final few scenes), you are trapped with the characters. Coccio never acquiesces to traditional narrative devices and the film is all the better for it. For instance, neither central figure possesses a character arc and much of the acting feels improvised, which only heightens the film's realism. Yet, the characters are distinct and each interesting in their own way -- Andre seemingly more withdrawn into himself and Cal more willing to at least partially assimilate with his surroundings. Of course, there was a part of me that wanted to see and understand the source of Andre and Calvin's animosity, so I might be able to work up even the slightest bit of empathy for them. Coccio refuses to allow the viewer such luxury and that's what makes this movie stick -- its absolute resistance to sugarcoat these characters.

Zero Day deals with the psychology and culture of violence in a frank and serious way, but doesn't spoon-feed a message. If there was statement that I gathered from this film, it was purely that Andre Kreigmans and Calvin Gabriels exist and the longer our society turns a blind eye, the more we're prone to the possibility of more incidents like Columbine occurring. The fact that Coccio doesn't issue excuses for the ills that have driven Andre and Calvin to their respective limits may just add to this commentary. That's just my interpretation and what's striking is that the film doesn't hand you any answers -- it invites you to draw your own conclusions.

I've come to another conclusion: Ben Coccio is an incredibly exciting new voice in cinema. Zero Day contains an urgency that is impossible to escape and is sure to garner a strong reaction from even the most passive viewer.

(An Avatar Films release. Opens in New York on September 3, 2003. Expands to more cities at later dates.)

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