Touched is a 2017 Canadian psychological thriller written, produced, edited, and directed by Karl R. Hearne. The film stars Hugh Thompson as Gabriel, a superintendent of an apartment building in Montreal, and Lola Flanery as a young girl who remains living in the empty unit of a missing tenant. The narrative follows Gabriel’s investigation into the disappearance, blending elements of mystery, horror, and arthouse drama.
Production
- Director: Karl R. Hearne
- Writer: Karl R. Hearne
- Producer: Karl R. Hearne
- Cinematography: Glauco Bermudez
- Editor: Karl R. Hearne
- Music: Olivier Alary
Cast
- Hugh Thompson as Gabriel
- Lola Flanery as the young girl
- Additional cast members include John Maclaren and Linda E. Smith.
Release and Runtime
- Premiere: International film‑festival circuit, 2017
- Canadian theatrical release: September 15, 2018
- Running time: 78 minutes
- Country: Canada
- Language: English
Synopsis
Gabriel, the building’s solitary superintendent, discovers that a tenant has vanished. While searching for her, he finds a nine‑year‑old girl still occupying the vacant apartment. The film explores ambiguous genre territory, prompting viewers to question whether it is an abduction story, horror piece, or art‑house drama.
Reception and Accolades
Touched received attention on the festival circuit and was noted for its atmospheric tone and psychological depth. In 2019, the film was nominated for the John Dunning Best First Feature Award at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards.
References
- Wikipedia entry for Touched (2017 film) (retrieved via r.jina.ai).
