Game with No Rules, A

Our Rating: L Factor: Major lesbian content Short Take: Film noir style love triangle. Stars ‘Xena’ secondaries Danielle Cormack, Marton Csokas and Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Alternate Titles:
Year: 1994 Duration: 17 min Language: New Zealand/English MPAA: Not Rated	Director: Scott Reynolds Writer: Scott Reynolds Starring: Danielle Cormack, Marton Csokas, Jennifer Ward-Lealand

A Game with No Rules Trailer

I was initially attracted to this short because of the cast, but it turned out to be very original and shot in a film noir style. The street scenes are done as if in a 1940′s movie, with backgrounds that don’t move – very creative.

This New Zealand production boasts a cast of three: Vera (Danielle Cormack, Ephiny in ‘Xena,’ Without a Paddle), Kane (Marton Csokas, Borias in ‘Xena,’ The Monkey’s Mask) and Lauren (Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Boadicea in ‘Xena,’ Desperate Remedies).

When Vera and Kane meet, they have a plan to defraud Kane’s wife Lauren out of her fortune. Soon it is murder and mayhem as Vera strikes an alliance with Lauren, seemingly betraying Kane, but playing both sides of the fence.

It’s not until the end that we find out which of the double-crossers actually has been able to successfully deceive the others. Vera’s plan involves seducing Lauren to strategically move her into the bedroom, so we get to see the two beautiful women together briefly.

The film appeared in a New Zealand video shorts collection called Short Takes: Dark Tales. It was also broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in the US. (AB)