TRAILER
Introduction
Mathematician Kurt Gödel's revolutionary Incompleteness Theorem:
Every closed system such as mathematics, or the universe, must assume
the existence of a variable outside of itself to explain itself.
INC0MPLETENESS is a psychological dramedy set the in the present-day American Midwest that revolves around the relationships of three couples, interconnected by a tragedy, as they try to find love in a modern world while dealing with their own mortality, betrayal, Chinese cabals, A.I., genetic engineering and the illusion of free will.
Background
Who Created the Series?
INC0MPLETENESS is written and directed by David Ash. Prior to this series, Ash wrote and directed seven short films and three critically-acclaimed, award-winning feature films, all of which played at local, national, and international film festivals. His most recent feature, TWIN CITIES, won five "Best of Fest" awards out of the nine festivals where it screened, including the “Grand Jury Prize” at the Amsterdam Film Festival. The film was distributed in fall, 2018, by Summer Hill Films on Amazon Prime.
Tell Me More
This is a “limited series”, with eight 45-minute episodes in the first season, the first three of which were produced pre-COVID and submitted to prominent film festivals. After a year and a half break, production resumed on the remaining five episodes. Season 01 was completed in June 2023.
Awarded Already?
This project won the prestigious Minnesota State Arts Board "Artist Initiative" grant, which provided funding for production of the series. Based on the three episodes that were submitted to festivals, Incompleteness has become the most awarded series on the film fest circuit –- winning the “Best Series” award at over 50 international festivals.
What’s Next?
We are looking to partner with a premium cable channel or streaming service (Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, Starz, et. al) on distribution of Season 01 and production of Season 02.
Season 01 ReviewS
“In my heart of hearts, I can only hope that everyone out there gives this show a chance because the mere act of watching something like Incompleteness will help you actually EVOLVE as a person. You can't un-see what you see in this show, and whether you understand everything you take in or absorb just a tiny piece by osmosis, I think you'll honestly be grateful for what this show provides us with. It's like we get another piece of our own puzzle. It's a trail of breadcrumbs being left for us to follow in the hope that we'll arrive at the same destination one day.
This is about as confident as I've ever felt about a series – Incompleteness is as interesting as just about anything has ever been to me, and I simply cannot express how meaningful a show like this truly is. You NEED to watch Incompleteness, and then re-watch it again & again until you absorb every nugget of knowledge that it's providing us with. I'm blown away by how amazing this show is from start to finish. I not only WANT a second season, I freakin' NEED one now.” FULL REVIEW
— Jeremy Gladstone, IndyRed.com
“David Ash is a masterful filmmaker and makes brilliant use of his cinematographer Brennan Vance and his actors. Vance brings Ash’s vision marvelously to the screen and the original score by Charlie McCarron is hauntingly beautiful. Every aspect of Ash’s mise en scène in Incompleteness is at an extremely high quality, from the sound design to the color schemes to the editing. Ash’s nuanced nonlinear script, skilled actors and attention to every detail in this series are evident and this is what makes me already excited and longing for season 2.” (5/5 rating) FULL REVIEW
- Jason Allen, IndieFilmCritics.com
“The dialogue crackles with intelligence while still sounding like real life, and these three couples are all easy to invest in. The best of the bunch is Paul and Kayla, as Wethren and Willer’s chemistry is off-the-charts. But each actor works well off everyone else, and they all inhabit their roles believably.
Ash has very specific points he wants to make with Incompleteness, and central to that idea is jumping across different realities. Maybe it is more like branching off to a new timeline from a fixed point. Either way, scenes repeat with minor but obvious differences. Characters will have conversations only for it to end with a different couple having a very similar talk. The direction leans into the dream-like nature of everything well while still giving the drama precedence.
The cast is remarkable, the story compelling, and the dialogue very smart. Season 2 cannot get here soon enough.” (9.5/10 rating) FULL REVIEW
— Bobby LePire, Film Threat
“Ash’s masterful direction shines through in his bold choices and unconventional risks, resulting in a series that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The characters’ struggle with loss, betrayal, and the fragility of life resonates deeply with the audience, evoking a sense of empathy and shared humanity.
Lynchian in mood, time, and place, this 6-hour televisual epic blends unconventional storytelling techniques with poignant human drama. It is at once very familiar, while also being totally original – a thought-provoking and mind-bending exploration of reality, relationships, and the power of storytelling. Incompleteness is not merely a series; it is an intellectual labyrinth that invites viewers to question their own perceptions of existence.
This is a series that deserves a shot at the major networks whose bigger budgets could help turn Incompleteness into another White Lotus. Seeing is believing and believe me you should see it.” (5/5 rating) FULL REVIEW
- Jolly Moel, Screencritix.com
“The blurred lines between what occurs in front of the camera and what is occurring in real life make for some very engaging non-linear storytelling that continually keeps viewers on their toes. Ash is truly commendable in his ability to create characters with sustained depth. This means there are no weak points in the narrative or areas where attention to detail lapses.
With superb performances all round, excellent cinematography from Brennan Vance, and an impressive musical score from Charlie McCarron – Incompleteness wouldn’t be misplaced on any range of television networks and streaming services.” FULL REVIEW
- Olivia Ballington, IndyReviews.com
“I was absolutely engrossed in it. It’s multi-layered and hyper-intelligent. I thought it was fascinating. It drew me in – because it’s that good. It makes you curious. It does what any good film or TV series should do, which is draw you in and make you want to see more. Films and TV dramas are there to challenge us and Incompleteness does that and does it very well.” – Christopher Olson
“There’s a lot of scientific depth here to what is already a thick storyline. It reminded me of watching a Christopher Nolan Film. It’s absolutely gripping. It’s the sort of thing you would watch on Amazon Prime and you would watch the whole thing. I also found it to be one of those things where I was thinking about it a lot when I wasn’t watching it. It is really, really powerful.” – Brian Penn 1-MIN EXCERPT FROM PODCAST
- UK Film Review Podcast
“I could not stop watching, binging the first four episodes in one sitting. Dave Ash delivers a fantastic, well-shot series that thoughtful viewers will be instantaneously drawn to. There are great artistic moments and many outstanding performances from the actors. Incompleteness doesn’t aspire to be a brainy show, it is. Cerebral philosophizing works its way into every episode, driving the plot with ideas almost as much as it does action.
The cinematography in this show is frequently beautiful and always well-conceived. By using some more experimental sequences, Incompleteness breaks up the monotony of the typical drama by utilizing noir-esque staging to keep the viewer entranced.
There’s also an element of cosmic horror that adds a wonderful nihilistic tinge to the show: “The chance of you existing as yourself is so infinitesimally small that you cannot conceive the number,” says the show, “and this is how you want to spend it?” Those looking for a dark and cerebral drama with indie-film flair should look no further than Incompleteness.”
-Jennifer Zimmerman, Independent Movie Review
Cast
The lead and supporting cast includes some of the most highly regarded film and television actors in the Midwest.
MATT BAILEY (ALEX) has appeared in the the acclaimed television series The Path (HULU), Boardwalk Empire (HBO), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Madam Secretary (CBS), and Set It Up (Netflix). He has starred On and Off-Broadway, and on regional stages across 30+ states in shows such as Living on Love, Jersey Boys, Harmony, Fully Committed, and The Little Dog Laughed.
KATIE WILLER (KAYLA) has been a prominent film and theater actor and director in the Twin Cities for over 15 years. She is best known for her work on both sides of the camera in the award-winning webseries Theater People.
REGINA MARIE WILLIAMS (THE THERAPIST) was named the Minneapolis Star Tribune “Artist of the Year” for 2023. She is a McKnight Theater Artist Fellow and received an Ivey Award for her role as Mama Nadi in Mixed Blood Theater’s Ruined.
BETHANY FORD BINKLEY (JODI) has starred in over 30 Minneapolis stage productions and had critically lauded roles in many feature films. She won the 2017 IndieFest Award of Excellence for her work in the feature film, Twin Cities.
JAMES CRAVEN (THE PASTOR) is a 50-year veteran of theater, television, and film. James was the 2005 recipient of a Spenser Chereshore Fellowship, a 2007 McKnight Fellowship and a 2011 Lunt-Fountaine/Ten Chimney’s Fellowship. He has numerous film and television credits include Twin Peaks, Mighty Ducks 3, and Sneakers.
JUAN RIVERA LEBRON (JOHN/MICHAEL) has starred in numerous stage productions and films, as well as appeared as a regular cast member on the long-running ABC serial One Life To Live. He is a recipient of the prestigious Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship.
CHRISTINE WEBER (EMILY/CHELSEA) played a lead role in the films Sold Out, The Final Scene, and Relationship status; however, the majority of her work has been in prominent stage productions for The Guthrie Theater and Jungle Theater. In addition, she has had a residency at the prestigious Globe Theater.
GILBERT ASUNCION (SUN) has recently appeared in a variety of films and television programs including Silver Stars on Red velvet (2019), Danny’s Game (2020), and Charcoal Skies (2022).
CLARENCE WETHERN (PAUL) has played a lead role in 15 films (including the feature film, Twin Cities), as well as countless stage productions. One of the most prolific actors in the midwest, he was named an "Artist We Love" by Minnesota Monthly magazine.
WHY?
This story is for anyone who isn’t 100% sure there is a God out there somewhere guiding and giving purpose to our lives
I grew up in a Catholic family that believed in the story of a God that conveniently provided an explanation for how we came into being, what our purpose is, and what will happen when we die (spoiler alert -- be good, or else). The story served its purpose nicely until I realized it didn’t make the slightest bit of logical sense. However, disavowing this God story created another vexing issue -- if there isn’t a God behind everything … then what is?? Is anything?
Looking for some good intel regarding this question led to an extensive metaphysical inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality, ultimately yielding an entirely deterministic view of our existence -- we are subject to the forces of nature, not one of them. As such, any feeling of agency in our lives must be illusory.
However, if this is the case (spoiler #2: it is), how could there really be such a thing as love or spirituality or purpose or meaning? Are these just self-sustaining concepts with no basis in reality? And ... if we have no actual control over anything ... then what does?
These are the questions in life that most interest me -- ultimately, the most important questions we can ask -- and they are the fundamental queries considered in this series.
- David Ash