WFG RATING: B+

A Newark Studios production. Written, lensed, edited and directed by Franklin Correa. Produced by Robert D. Parham and Sergio Russo.

Stars Franklin Correa, Katie Sargent, Bryan C. King, Robert D. Parham, Karen Willknot, Carlos Gutierrez, Andrew Spitzer, and John Ragsdale. 

The hunt is on for a mysterious person in this action pilot starring and directed by Franklin Correa. 

In Mexico, Carlos seems to be a devoted husband who is actually part of an organization that is protecting someone known as “The International”. When he is confronted by members of a rogue organization, Omega, Carlos does his best to fight back and contacts Lisa, another protector in Washington D.C. In California, Terri, another protector, has contacted “The International” and learns that a former protector, Parker, has turned rogue and is working for Omega.

Meanwhile, in Montana, Omega tracks down John, another protector, but he is able to evade the Omega assassins, who demand to know the location of the International. However, he is killed by one after killing the other. Lisa learns The International is in New Jersey and having arrived there, she intends to meet up with him. The mystery person is Rico, an old friend of Lisa’s who takes her to another friend, Lance, who has become a pastor. Knowing he will be hunted, Rico is ready to take action and stop the Omega Group.

This is a pilot for an upcoming series starring one of this year’s WorldFilmGeek Hall of Famers, Franklin Correa. Compared to his films, this could be one of his most ambitious projects yet. While he plays the titular role of “The International”, Correa takes a back seat until two-thirds of the pilot as there is quite an interesting story in this one. 

Katie Sargent is good as Lisa, one of Rico’s closest allies and protectors. Their chemistry together is natural as they play old friends who reunite at a time of danger and yet, we see Rico sharing what some of their group is up to these days. One such guy is Lance, played by Witness lead Bryan C. King, who is a pastor. We don’t see him but hear him and even see somewhat of a fourth wall break as Rico talks to him to protect Lisa. 

What Correa does is quite interesting is set the pilot in various locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The story opens in Mexico, but also relies on California, Montana, Washington, and of course, Correa’s home New Jersey. The Montana scene is perhaps a definite favorite scene where John Ragsdale’s protector John finds himself hunted down by two Omega assassins. One assassin is excellently played by Gabrielle Vallee, who is tougher than her counterpart. To put it in her words, “a woman can do a man’s job”, and in this case, better. 

While we don’t know much here about why Rico is known as “The International”, perhaps subsequent episodes will reveal the backstory behind this. This is a pretty good setup for what could be Franklin Correa’s most ambitious project yet. When it’s released, definitely check out The International and support indie filmmakers.