A middling rock band that is nearing the end of its brief prime refuses to play a show because no one appreciates their new music. Their band manager Justin must convince them to play for the awaiting crowd. A world of huge but fragile egos, manipulation, and greed slowly reveals itself as fights break out between all parties close to the band.
"Rotten" is a chaotic drama that takes a brief look at a band's dynamics as well as some of the people around them. It is meant to evoke themes of aging, time passing you by, and choosing between your art and success in the entertainment industry.
The Story
"When Aliki (my sister and writing partner) showed me this script, I started to connect with it when I realized that the story isn't just about a band, but about the push and pull every creative person, especially young creative people, experiences between being true to yourself and what you love to do, and finding success in your field. It is very hard to follow your dreams and do what you love, and sometimes it seems that the whole world is conspiring against you; pulling you in every direction, telling you to stop and do something more realistic. That's the situation the band in the film is facing. And that "rotten" feeling you get inside when you don't follow your dreams is something we all wrestle with and sometimes have to accept. This can be seen as a cynical film, but what I hope the audience takes away is that it's better to find the strength to break free from the influence of others, rather than let your life get to a point as bad as the film shows."
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- Telly Bitsakakis, Director