Nicholas Barclay, a 13-year-old Texan went missing on June 13th, 1994, vanishing without a trace. The boy’s family was devastated, but kept hope alive that Nicholas would return to them. Then, in 1997 the Barclays got a phone call that would change their lives forever. What happens next is the subject of Bart Layton’s chilling documentary that’s screened at Sundance and SXSW this year.
Initially overwhelmed with relief and joy to get their son back, the Barclays clung to the strange young man who showed up at their home, even though his eyes weren’t the same color as the boy they knew, and he spoke with a pronounced French accent. But as days go by, they come to the fearful realization that this brown-eyed boy is not Nicholas Barclay, but rather a notorious imposter known as “The Chameleon.”
Documentary meets Film Noir in this astonishing true story which has all the twists and turns of a great thriller. Just as the truth begins to dawn on you, another truth begins to emerge leaving you even more on edge.
About the Filmmaker, Bart Layton is a British filmmaker known for visual innovation and challenging conventions. He has directed a number of acclaimed documentaries for both British and American broadcasters and has been finalist on several occasions for best documentary for The Royal Television society, shortlisted for BAFTA and a finalist for Best Documentary at the Grierson Awards. He is the Creative Director of leading British production company, RAW.
