Your Big Break

The Koru Effect
“ The future of humanity lies in the spirit of a sacred leaf ”
Written by Javier Prato

Synopsis:
“The Koru Effect” tells the story of a biophysicist who travels back in time from a future devastated by climate change in search for the Koru, the name given to the new unfurling fern frond, the iconic symbol of New Zealand flora and a sacred plant that symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace in Maori culture. His mission is to use the power of the Koru to bring oxygen levels in the future back to normal and make the planet sustainable once more.
During his journey, he encounters three Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, who take him through the Powhiri, the traditional welcome ceremony extended to visitors of the land, providing an insight into the unique and spiritual Maori world.

Script:

WILD FOREST - DAY

Through a curved glass, we witness a white, solid image
dissolving into a silent evergreen forest filled with trees,
ferns, and flowering plants. It is a quiet place, away from
the bustle of life and the stresses of civilization. The
sound of compressed air is heard as a space helmet is pulled
upward and the sound of multiple birds chirping and a
distant waterfall become apparent.

A thirty-two year old man wearing a white spacesuit with a
name tag reading ALLEN MARSHALL stands, profoundly enjoying
each breath of fresh air. A modern circular emblem
resembling Maori art is stamped across the suit's upper
sleeves and chest. Attached to the belt are several
electronic devices. On the ground is a small robotic vehicle
with an empty glass compartment and, on top, an
independently-moving antenna.

Allen walks through the forest holding the helmet with his
right arm, following the robotic vehicle that guards him
like a trained watchdog. While he seems excited by his
scenic surroundings, he is obviously on a mission.

As he walks through, the sound of broken leaves are heard
from behind. The robotic antenna turns back as Allen's head
follows.

From the bushes, THREE MAORI WARRIORS with tattoos on their
faces and bodies appear suddenly, graceful and alert as they
pirouette, stomp and grimace, raising their weapons and
moving in calculated arches of blinding motion just a few
feet away from Allen and the vehicle.

Allen looks worried as the Maori warriors, their eyes fixed
upon him, slowly approach, emitting loud, fierce shouts.
Noticing the emblem on Allen's suit, they stop. One of them
lays down a fern leaf at Allen's feet.

Allen keeps his eyes on the warrior as he picks the leaf up
from the ground.

ALLEN
Thank you.

The Maori warriors lower their weapons and give him a signal
to follow them. Allen nods his head in acceptance.

A native Tuatara, a small, greenish-brown reptile, stares at
the Maori warriors as they walk through the bushes with the
robotic vehicle and a calmer Allen behind.

MAORI VILLAGE - DAY

The three warriors and Allen approach the village, where
several MAORI WOMEN welcome the visitor with their
ceremonial cries, their voices soaring into the heavens.

A young, attractive MAORI WOMAN walks toward Allen.

MAORI WOMAN
Kia Ora.
(with a thick accent)
Welcome to our marae. Please sit.

The Maori woman seats Allen next to a burning fire, as other
Maori natives pray and sit on the opposite side.

MAORI WOMAN
Why are you here?

Allen pauses for a second as he stares at the fire. Behind
him, two MAORI CHILDREN play with the robotic vehicle as the
antenna tries to orient itself.

ALLEN
(to everyone)
I have come from the international
space station, two hundred years
into the future.

The Maori woman looks at the others as she translates what
Allen is saying.

ALLEN
Earth has become unsustainable for
living. Most animal and plant
species are now extinct due to the
collapse of the biosphere and the
warming of the seas, and it's only
a matter of time until the Earth
runs out of oxygen.

As he speaks, the faces of the Maori natives light up as
images invade their thoughts.

A FLASHFOWARD of a reddish planet Earth that looks more like
Venus with a cover of thin, gray clouds is seen from outer
space. From above, a space station hovers.

ALLEN
But we think there's a cure, and it
may lie right here on this land.
(points to his emblem)
The Koru.

Many Maori natives look at one another, speaking
indiscernibly.

ALLEN
Once established, Koru can
propagate themselves at
unprecedented rates, accelerating
oxygen production. This would
eventually enable the planet to
again support human and animal
life.

MAORI WOMAN
But... this hasn't happened yet!
Isn't there anything we can do to
prevent it?

ALLEN
I'm afraid without effective public
policy, leadership and
international cooperation to
prevent the continuous burning of
fossil fuels, global warming will
be inevitable.

Both Allen and the Maori woman stand simultaneously. She
calls one of the warriors. She tells him something in Maori
and the warrior runs away.

She walks toward Allen and presses her nose and forehead
into his, giving him a hongi. This traditional Maori
greeting means that he is no longer considered a manuhiri,
or visitor, but rather a tangata whenua, or, a person of the
land.

The warrior arrives with a new unfurling fern frond, the
Koru, with the root intact. He hands the plant to Allen, who
carefully places it inside the robotic vehicle's hermetic
glass compartment.

Allen steps aside, inputting some coordinates onto a device
attached to his arm, and a white, circular light envelops
him completely. He vanishes.

FADE TO BLACK.

Links to edited reel and previous work:

Demo Reel
Running Time: 1:37
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG4B3unB2Ic
Quick Introduction + dramatic short
Running Time: 5:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DApcgnm2QOQ

SHORT FILMS:

Jesus Will Survive - Jesus Christ! The Musical
Running Time: 1:04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKk00OYKhU

Empty Arms
Running Time: 5:50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upin3g3lZsM

Ring of Blood
Running Time: 3:21
http://www.hulu.com/watch/56322/indieflix-shorts-ring-of-blood

COMMERCIALS:

Vegas Knock-Out
Running Time: 1:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6dPjlQM_FA

Doritos Cops
Running Time: 0:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNj6VwPngJU

Biography
Javier Prato’s devotion to filmmaking began on the exotic streets of his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father, a business attorney, gave him his first video camera on his fourteenth birthday, fueling his passion for filmmaking. Javier’s first cinematic muse was his loving mother, a popular Argentinean tango singer whose creative nature inspired him to cast her in his first set of experimental short films. However, it was in college that Javier truly refined his skills by exploring all of the facets of filmmaking. There, he studied under Rodolfo Hermida, a prominent Argentinean film producer, and Beda Docampo Feijoo, an award winning Argentinean director and screenwriter.
Eager to expand his knowledge and love for film, Javier took the big leap and moved to Hollywood, California in 1998. Since his arrival, he has kept himself busy by screening his short films at various film festivals in the United States and internationally. His satirical short, “Jesus Christ: The Musical,” continues to hold the number one spot as the most viewed video on the Internet to date. His latest short, “Empty Arms,” was selected as one of the Top 20 final videos in the competition, "YouTube Project Direct," led by award winning director Jason Reitman, known for his film "Juno."
Never losing sight of his education, in 2007 Javier received an MBA in Entertainment and New Media at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires. In early 2008, he partnered with Mexican director, Orlette Ruiz, to form the production company “Gadget Films,” whose primary focus is the creation of sponsored online short video content for Internet viral distribution. His most recent and current project is the experimental film, “POV,” which employs miniature cameras and the Internet’s power to make the story interactive.
In addition, Javier is currently developing two social networks, “InstantCrew” and “MyFilm.Net,” which are devoted to the filmmaking community.

Official Website:
http://javierprato.com