The 2016 sci-fi-thriller “The Phoenix Incident” recently screened in a Fathom Events special viewing on Mar. 10 2016. It’s slated for a nationwide theatrical and video on demand (VoD) release on April 8, 2016. Select cities include NY, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta LA, Seattle, Kansas City, Detroit, and, quite fittingly, Phoenix.
“The Phoenix Incident” is the debut feature film from writer-director Keith Arem (“Call of Duty,” “Ghost Recon,” “Saints Row”). While this marks Arem’s foray into cinema as a writer and director, he’s got a bevy of experience in the gaming works, directing titles such as “Deadpool,” “Darksiders II,” “Saints Row IV,” and “Metro 2033.” Accordingly, the cast is comprised largely of actors from the gaming industry as well, including Travis Willingham (“Evolve,” “The Order 1886,” “Sunset Overdrive”), Yuri Lowenthal (“Prince of Persia,” “Dragon Age,” “Sunset Overdrive”), and Michael Adamthwaite (“War of the Planet of the Apes,” “Ninjago”).
The movie is a mashup of the sci-fi-thriller genre and documentary style. Based on the real-life 1997 Phoenix lights UFO sightings, there’s a personal connection for Arem, an Arizona native. While he did not witness the lights himself, the lasting impact of the UFO sightings remain an important event in Arem’s life, and his home state’s history. “It’s a passionate event for me,” Arem told Examiner in a Feb. 18, 2016 interview over the phone. The historical significance presented the perfect narrative for a directorial debut.
“The Phoenix Incident” probes the Phoenix lights sighting from a science fiction-documentary fusion that melds the boundaries of sci-fi and reality. Borrowing elements from the found footage genre, it’s a film that appeals to sci-fi buffs, the UFO community, and gamers alike. Plus, there’s a massive social media campaign with loads of Easter eggs to uncover such as additional footage. Check your local listings as well as the official Phoenix Incident website for VoD and theatrical release info.
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