Ghost Car
A teenager discovers his father's ghost car in an old racing video game.
We live in a Black Mirror Era: one where the dangers of today’s cyber world, and how it can change society and humans themselves - is regularly portrayed in film through a Twilight Zone lens.
Dystopian “what ifs” do raise vital questions that we as writers and directors have artistic duty to explore.
But what about the small but touching miracles technology provides? Shouldn’t we recognize and explore those, as well?
Such is the focus of Aeon Solo’s Ghost Car.
Taking place over a span of years, Ghost Car opens in 2001; seen through the eyes of six year old Tommy who really, REALLY wants that new X-Box in the shop window. He cajoles dad John, as kids often do:
TOMMY
Can we get one!? Can we get one!?
With a nosebleed price of $350 quid for the bundle, both John and wife Andrea answer no.
Well, temporarily they do.
But John’s a softie at heart. (Yay, Dad!) Vowing he’ll work overtime to cover, he breaks down and buys the console as an “early Christmas present” for his son.
Tommy’s overjoyed. And really, John is too. Because it’s an opportunity to spend quality time with Tommy playing games (and enjoy something better than his old Atari, too.)
Over the coming days, the two bond – especially with a popular racing game, Rally Sports Challenge. Such are the joys of child and parenthood. Until…
...John suffers a massive cardiac arrest, leaving Andrew widowed and Tommy without his father/racing partner.
With playtime over – and so many raw memories attached to that X-Box – Tommy turns towards something else: the lonely job of growing up.
But is it completely Game Over? Hidden in a dusty closet and half forgotten, that X-Box may still have a few moments of joy left to provide.
Very low on budget - but rich in human theme – Ghost Car could be the right director’s “Blue Mirror”: a short which cheers audiences with the good technology can do, while bringing nostalgic tears to their eyes.