--- title: "Pallaton" description: "Former combat soldier Pallaton is enjoying his retirement in rural Oklahoma. When his wife is brutally murdered, he has to face his demons from the past." url: https://johannesbecht.com/portfolio/pallaton date: 2026-03-20 modified: 2026-05-08 author: "Johannes Becht" image: https://johannesbecht.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Zachary-Hokeah-in-Pallaton-1-scaled.png type: portfolio lang: en --- # Pallaton ## Information ### Title Pallaton ### Format Short Film ### **Genre** Action, Drama ### Status Completed ### **Director** Johannes Becht ### **Starring** Zachary Hokeah, Kinley McGowen, Dennis Knifechief ### **Language** English ### **Filming Year** 2023-2024 ### **Filming Location** Oklahoma ### **My Role** Hartman ### **Runtime** 22m ### **Cast** Zachary Hokeah (Pallaton), Kinley McGowen (Alex), Dennis Knifechief (Colt), Jordan Cruz (Mercenary), Johannes Becht (Hartman), Milan Davis (Realtor), Brenda Hardy (Bartender), Joshua Jennings (Pedestrian), Sydnie Skinner (Pedestrian) ### **Production** Johannes Becht, Zachary Hokeah ### Writers Johannes Becht, Zachary Hokeah ### Cinematographer Bom ### Editor Johannes Becht ### Make-up Artist Kinley McGowen ### Boom Operator Johnathan Nguyen, Jake Curran, Johannes Becht ### Stunts Zachary Hokeah ### Camera Department Bom (camera operator), Hawk Hartico (drone operator), Johnathan Nguyen (camera operator) ### Colorist Bom ### Production Assistants Jake Curran, Hawk Hartico, Kate Kitova, Khrystyna Melnchuk !(https://johannesbecht.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Scenic-Oklahoma-in-Pallaton-1024x492.png) !(https://johannesbecht.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pallaton-2024-Poster.jpg) *Pallaton* is a character-driven action drama set in the quiet yet unforgiving landscapes of rural Oklahoma. The film follows a former combat soldier attempting to leave his violent past behind and build a life in isolation. But when his wife is brutally murdered, that fragile peace collapses—forcing him to confront the very demons he thought he had escaped. What begins as a seemingly straightforward story of revenge quickly evolves into something more complex. As Pallaton retraces the steps that lead him back into a world of weapons, old contacts, and unresolved conflicts, the narrative unfolds through tense encounters, pursuit, and confrontation. A chance meeting with an old friend sets off a chain of events that pulls him deeper into a web of violence, culminating in a brutal clash with Colt—the man responsible for his wife’s death, but also someone with his own unresolved past tied to Pallaton. At its core, *Pallaton* is not just about revenge, but about responsibility, guilt, and the lingering consequences of war. The final confrontation challenges both characters not only physically, but morally—leaving the audience with a resolution that resists easy answers. * This project marked my final major production in the United States before returning to Germany. At that point, I had already spent several years working across different areas of media—from journalism and on-the-ground reporting to video and content production. Pallaton* became the culmination of that phase, bringing together storytelling, visual composition, and hands-on filmmaking into a single project. Unlike larger productions such as (https://johannesbecht.com/portfolio/resurrection-road) or (https://johannesbecht.com/portfolio/bloodstained-ivory), this was an independent film built through close collaboration, limited resources, and a strong focus on execution. I was involved in multiple roles, including directing, writing, editing, producing, and acting. This multi-layered involvement required not only creative decision-making, but also a deep understanding of how every element—from camera work to sound design—contributes to the final narrative. Working across these different roles fundamentally shaped my approach to storytelling. It sharpened my sense for pacing, framing, and emotional impact—skills that extend far beyond film and continue to influence my work today, particularly in digital media and marketing. The ability to think visually, structure narratives effectively, and understand audience perception remains central to everything I do. Looking back, *Pallaton* represents more than just a film project. It stands at the intersection of two phases of my career: the hands-on, exploratory period in the United States, and the more strategic, media-driven work I focus on today. While my professional path has since shifted towards digital marketing and content strategy, the foundation built during projects like this continues to shape how I approach communication, storytelling, and media as a whole.