An ex-military pilot fears for his daughter’s safety after seeing a vision of the end of the world.
Directed by Bruce Tetsuya, House of Kodo
End of Things is a brief, but intense glimpse into what we imagine for our future, what we long for, and what we believe will endure when everything else falls apart. We tend to see the “end of things” as destruction, but what many don’t realize, is that it also means to rebuild, to start anew.
End of Things is both a cautionary tale, as well as an ode to human nature, of fatalistic tendencies, and parenthood. The core emotion I want to tap into with this project is resilience; finding beauty and hope in the aftermath of devastation.
The script was written in the months leading up to the birth of my daughter, and we went into production about a year after she was born (it’s actually my daughter in the film, as the baby).
This film was a way for me to express my anxieties and fears, but also joys of parenthood. You never really consider how delicate the world is, or how fragile life can feel, until you’re in the hospital, waiting for your child to be born. The months leading into our delivery were not easy, to say the least. Many weeks of false trips to the delivery room and several heart / umbilical cord related scares later, we welcomed a healthy baby girl into the scary, big world. It was the most overwhelming feeling of joy but also of responsibility. In those first moments hearing her, and holding her, everything I thought I knew about myself changed. Every idea I had about success or what I wanted to achieve was rewritten.
The original draft I’d written for this project was cold, dark, and pessimistic. After Kiyomi was brought into the world, my wife and I added a scene to the end, which explores hope, and the balance a child’s perspective can bring. The first half of the film is intentionally maximalist and overwhelming, designed to hit the audience like a storm – but the final scene, which culminates in a calm monologue, speaks to many historical traumas my family has faced, and looks toward healing and catharsis.
Director Biography – Bruce Tetsuya
Bruce Tetsuya is a Japanese filmmaker and father. He is also the founder of HOUSE OF KODO – a full service film production & creative marketing company. When Bruce isn’t not on set, you can find him on the tennis court, making an espresso, or exploring new lands with his wife and daughter. Bruce is set to direct his first feature film August 2026.
Denver Film – Sie Film Center 2510 East Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206
Validated FREE parking is available in the garage located above the Sie FilmCenter, accessible from both Columbine and Elizabeth streets during our regular hours of operation. Please bring your parking ticket to the Box Office for validation. Street parking is available throughout the surrounding neighborhood, where posted.
Ticket includes a boxed dinner.
