Setting out to explore issues of gender discrimination and systemic abuse of power, Andrew T. Betzer’s Important Police Shit immerses us in a male-dominated world as we’re plunged headfirst into a “hell day” hazing for a group of police cadets. Putting his audience through this intense rites of passage, along with the trainees, prepare to be invited into a closed society, where boundaries are stretched and loyalty is everything.

Immersion is the key word here. Betzer admits he “tried to eschew traditional narrative” when creating his film and those of you heading to S/W looking for the more story-based shorts we usually feature, will find this much more of an experiential watch. With minimal dialogue, Betzer instead focuses on the action and the physicality of the scenario as we join the recruits as they’re tasered, gassed and pushed beyond their limits.

“Most people who experience bias and abuse in the workplace never see it coming”

Describing this approach as somewhat of a “gamble”, at times you’d be forgiven for thinking you were watching an OBS doc, as the camera never really focuses on one person and the film never seems intent on building character. Instead Betzer creates a tone that he describes as highlighting “the uniformity and interchangeability of the cadets throughout the film” and it isn’t until the final scene that he really brings his aim on one character.

Something we quizzed him about when discussing his film – “I want to emphasize the fact that most people who experience bias and abuse in the workplace never see it coming; it exists in holes and corners”, he explains.

Betzer describes Important Police Shit as “an intensely personal story”, but his connection to the story isn’t because he experienced a similar hazing experience, it’s something much deeper. “Having experienced the death of my child, I find myself drawn to the exploration of characters who are cornered into traumatic and isolating circumstances”, he openly reveals in conversation with S/W. “This film represents my need to keep re-reminding myself that one can find dignity and redemption merely through the act of survival.”

Andrew’s previous film I Turn to Jello is a personal favourite of mine and although I don’t have the same connection to Important Police Shit, I was initially excited by his work because of how unique and surprising it feels. There’s still a large element of that here, as this feels like a new direction for the director and I’m always drawn to filmmakers who are looking to experiment and try new things and that certainly feels like Betzer’s M.O. – even after 20-years of directing short films.

Important Police Shit premiered at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival earlier this year and Betzer is now in the process of writing a new feature film.