The members of an underground, post-apocalyptic bunker invite a psychologist from the radioactive and chaotic surface to audition for a place to live among them.

The short film, Bunker Burger (2019), is written and directed by Adam Yorke made its world premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. A slightly psychological short feature that takes place in the living room of a bunker, Bunker Burger proved to be a smart take on post-apocalyptic narratives that allows its characters to use logic as a weapon of choice.

After the world is ravaged by a global disaster, a woman named Eve (Sarah Mitich) is brought by a child to a bunker after having to fend for herself on the surface. Seemingly an oasis in a desert, the spacious bunker is complete with running water, entertainment, and even burgers. The bunker owner, Rico (Enrico Colantoni), informs Eve that they already have a Pediatrician, Surgeon, Dentist, Radiologist, Proctologist, and Neurologist, but that they had underestimated their need for a “shrink” and have been through 6 other Clinicians before her. Having disposed of them, and as a former psychologist before the end of the world, Eve is next up to audition before the group. Her interview brings up not only her own past but also brings to light the festering fissures within the current group as she turns the analysis on them.

In short, I loved this short! If this were to become a feature-length or even a series, I would be here for it. Is it Mad Max or Walking Dead outside? Who knows?! But the above-ground circumstances are enough for people to claw at the door to this exclusive bunker and pay with their life. The worldwide disaster is a mystery and only serves the purpose of herding these diverse people into the same small corner of a crumbling earth. Yorke could do A LOT with character development for a 12-person ensemble, doing something like the Mist meets 10 Cloverfield Lane would make this exciting as a completed movie. I enjoyed the social dynamics of being in this kind of pressure cooker situation where, daily, your life is precariously in danger of being ended if your value to the bunker is perceived as less than that of a potential new member’s value. It speaks to our human nature, we are both inherently compassionate but capable of abject cruelty, and in group mentality, we acquiesce to the will of the majority for fear of being singled out. And possibly being next.

The upbeat music played at the beginning and end is a slap of satire to the movie, which plays well with the absurdities found in the film – have a valuable skill to contribute to the group’s well being, be straight so you can procreate, be non-Vegan, and of stable mental capacity. The newbie in the hot seat who must fight for her place at their burger and bloodstained table is brilliantly played by Sarah Mitich, who is interviewed and questioned by the welcoming but practical bunker leader, Rico, played by Enrico Colantoni; their performances together stole the show, displaying a great range of seriousness and humor in this wonderful short.

Survival of the fittest applies both above and below ground in this smartly crafted post-apocalyptic movie. This Canadian film comes surprisingly without manners, as characters share frank and mocking dialogue while the group disposes of people as if they were no longer people. Clocking in at 11 minutes of entertainment, Adam Yorke’s clever, satirical, and scarily possible sci-fi, Bunker Burger, is screening at the Tribeca Film Festival on the following days:

• 9:00 PM – SAT 4/27  REGAL CINEMAS BATTERY PARK
• 8:45 PM – TUE 4/30 REGAL CINEMAS BATTERY PARK
• 5:45 PM – FRI 5/3 VILLAGE EAST CINEMA
• 11:00 PM – SAT 5/4 VILLAGE EAST CINEMA