Lost Prophet

((Drama--B&W))

A Rockville Pictures release of a J-5-1 production. Executive producers, Ann de Avila, Rolando de Avila, Rose Stewart, Diana Neeley, Anne Maria Cronin, Pilar Pinsley, Howard Pinsley. Produced and directed by Michael de Avila. Screenplay, Michael de Avila, Drew Morone, Larry O'Neil, Shannon Goldman.

Jim ... James Burton
Kym ... Zandra Huston
Real estate agent/ Mick Prophet ... Drew Monroe
Kid ... James Tucker

NEW YORK--The experimental feature "Lost Prophet" contains some arresting visual imagery but lacks the narrative to sustain audience interest. It's booked for a one-week stand at Gotham's Le Cinematographe.

James Burton, who looks a bit like Tom Hulce, is featured as a lonely wanderer, shown in Jack London-esque survival situations in an opening reel in forests and paddling across a lake in a canoe.

Debuting director Michael de Avila uses an annoying technique of blackouts between sequences in which Burton's voiceover is unintelligible mumbling about a prophet. Our hero meets a strange young woman (Zandra Huston) who spouts mystical mumbo jumbo and reads from a book entitled "Mick Prophet."

Burton's wanderings in a strange mansion are relatively uneventful and random incidents involving a foul-mouthed young kid (James Tucker) and real estate agent (Drew Monroe) don't add up to much.

Monroe also appears as the shaggy-haired Mick Prophet, with Burton or his alter ego donning a wig in the Prophet role as well.

It's not clear which Prophet is responsible for a string of murders, though the implication is that Burton has dreamt everything up. Film ends inconclusively with the recurring image of a misty lake.

Lack of continuity or explanation of the author's various symbols is a serious drawback that denies "Lost Prophet" any commercial future. Acting by the ensemble is unimpressive.

Camera (Duart B&W, 16mm) & editor, Michael de Avila; music, TRF Music Libraries; sound, Chris Cliadakis, Marissa Bennideto; assistant director, Goldman. Reviewed on vidcassette, N.Y, June 1, 1992.No MPAA rating. Running time: 72 min.

With: Steven Tucker, Shannon Goldman, Larry O'Neil, Christian Urich, Sophia Ramos.

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