Hot Tomorrows is a 1977 American student film written and directed by Martin Brest while he was a student at the American Film Institute (AFI). The film was shot in December 1975 and completed after a two‑year post‑production period, with a final budget of approximately $33,000. It runs for 72 minutes and is presented in English.
Production
The film was produced and edited by Brest, with cinematography by Jacques Haitkin. Funding difficulties delayed post‑production until additional resources were raised in 1977. Notable contributions include a voice cameo by Orson Welles for a funeral home radio advertisement.
Cast
- Ken Lerner as Michael, a young writer obsessed with death
- Ray Sharkey as Louis, Michael’s friend
- Hervé Villechaize as Albert
- Victor Argo as Tony
- George Memmoli, Donne Daniels, Dr. Rose Marshall, and others in supporting roles
- Appearances by the theatre troupe The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, as well as archival footage of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as themselves
- Danny Elfman and Marie Elfman appear as singers
Plot
The narrative follows a New York‑born writer who has relocated to Los Angeles and spends his time exploring a morbid fascination with mortality. The film portrays his interactions and the surreal experiences that arise from his obsession.
Release and Reception
Hot Tomorrows premiered in 1977 and has been referenced in contemporary film literature, including a review by Janet Maslin in The New York Times (October 4, 1977). It remains a notable early work in Brest’s career, preceding his later mainstream successes such as Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and Scent of a Woman (1992).
Legacy
Although primarily of interest to film historians and AFI alumni, the film is recognized for its experimental tone and early showcase of talent that would later achieve significant commercial success. It is listed in film databases such as IMDb and AllMovie.