Radiant

Hoping to find a cure for the incurable, a rogue scientist experiments with man-made viruses in a remote desert laboratory. Patients with illnesses that cannot be diagnosed make the pilgrimage to his compound, desperate enough to undergo his radical treatment – to be infected with a “perfect virus” that has the potential to save them, but could also lead to a horrible end.

This contemplative, contemporary sci-fi tale intertwines philosophical musings with gripping suspense. Cerebral loner Ed serves as the narrator, relaying the stories of the pilgrims willing to serve as human guinea pigs. When government operatives swoop in to shut down the lab, the group escapes into the desert, facing an epic transformation on the edge of the unknown.

Director Steve Mahone impressively weaves documentary footage, experimental montage and breathtaking cinematography to create a thought-provoking story of self discovery that approaches the final boundary of what mankind can be – and bravely steps across it.