Ed Parente

A scientist who swore off playing chess after a nervous breakdown as a boy wunderkind, creates an undefeated chess program. But the Russian world champ beats Tommy Rosemund's masterwork in a televised match. So the West German mathematician becomes a top chess pro himself, which the West German media boast will prove the superiority of Germany and democracy. The jowly, white-faced Rosemund believes that the entire Red Communist bloc is out to stop him from vanquishing their atheist pretty boy, Stefan Koruga, to become the next Bobby Fischer and a symbol that capitalism is preferable to socialism.

Shot in the Fire Island Pines during the same summer Poole filmed the first segment of his debut feature film "Boys in the Sand," this short was made in collaboration with the director's close friend and visual artist Ed Parente. The film serves as a visual love letter to Parente's boyfriend Fred, who was often away while the two spent time filming on the island.

A comedy about love, money and alcohol. About someone who tries to exploit love to sell alcohol and get rich...