A DISTURBANCE IN THE HIGH DESERT is a dramatic short film that transports us to 1920s Eastern Oregon. As economic hardship spreads across the region, hateful forces and laws threaten the safety of those deemed inferior or “defective.” Mare and Gemma are lovers who find each other while living a fragile existence in this rugged, unforgiving landscape. Told with restraint and conviction, this haunting story explores the unrelenting prevalence of violence against women and the queer community. It asks us to consider, what can we ask of our loved ones?