Rotor DR1

Ohio filmmaker Chad Kapper's low-budget sci-fi feature jumps on two hot bandwagons at once, satisfying both the appetite for YA dystopian futures and the fascination with remote-controlled “drone” camera aircraft. A future virus has wiped out 90 percent of humanity, leaving survivors in an anarchic wasteland, where the only signs of civilization are airborne drones delivering largely unused medicine from…somewhere. Kitch (Christian Kapper, the director's son), consumed with abandonment issues connected to his absentee doctor father, tinkers with salvaged drone batteries to briefly bring old gadgets back online. Kitch captures DR1, a non-standard drone copter with an AI chip (think a flying R2D2), which he discovers is somehow connected with his AWOL dad. A glum Kitch fixes and follows the flying machine through bleak landscapes towards what he assumes will be a reunion. Despite a too-long running time and DIY production values, Rotor DR1 is an interesting watch, not least because it was literally a crowd-sourced effort thanks to thousands of online followers in the drone-iverse who contributed story suggestions, music, props, crowd-scene extras, and general support. A strong optional purchase. (C. Cassady)