August 2023 Winning FEATURE Film Festival

Showcase of the winning feature film for 2023.

IN HER NAME, 102min., USA, Drama/Comedy
Directed by Sarah Carter
In Her Name is a dramedy about estranged sisters forced to confront their differences while dealing with family bankruptcy and their formerly-important-artist father’s terminal illness. Immersed in the absurdity of the Los Angeles art world they fall through the spiritual rabbit hole that is their childhood home. However tragic their lives remain, they find love again.

https://www.cheshiremoonproductions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cheshiremoonproductions/?hl=en

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/in-her-name-review

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Director Statement – Sarah Carter

If I had known that we would be shut down for four months halfway through our shooting schedule due to a global pandemic, I probably never would have made what turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

With very little money and huge challenges along the way, this film is living proof that everyone involved was genuinely inspired. My greatest accomplishment as a first time director may be the simple fact that people showed up to set everyday. Gathering in a circle at the top of the day and appreciating everyone’s presence always felt like a miracle, and something I might have taken for granted had we shot at a less tumultuous time.

With influences like Francois Truffaut, Fellini, Greta Gerwig, Wim Wenders and Miranda July, I wanted the film to have a dreamlike and meditative quality to it, but not without a sense of humor.

Appropriately In Her Name is an absurd dramedy that explores how shared trauma affects us all in different ways. It’s a film about losing a significant family member and how it can bring estranged people back together in the unwitting purpose of alchemizing the evolution of self and soul.

While making light, the film follows cycles of addiction and how those cycles intertwine with personality distortions that often come with genius. My only brother recently lost his battle with addiction. My love for him informs the compassion and sense of humor this story holds for the complexity and drama of fixating on escape while also longing to be connected with family at a primal level.

The film deals with themes of judgement, resentment, and reconciliation in the family dynamic, while utilizing death as a catalyst for confronting differences. It also explores the false images of self vs. the expectations of the world.

It’s no surprise that finding freedom within a family dynamic is what our film’s story explores, because that’s the spirit that got us through. Witnessing our team choosing to face fears of Covid, the stress of the cultural climate, whatever California fire was burning that day, and to create an elevated surreality has given me something I feel compelled to devote my life to. Family. And what we can create together.

After 20 years in the entertainment industry, nothing prepared me more for feature filmmaking than being a mother. As a mother, it’s easy to love with an open palm and humbly recognize that no matter how clear the vision or how well organized the plan to execute, ultimately, how little control I have or how little credit I can take for what comes through creatively. It’s that kind of feminine leadership I felt was most beneficial to me as a producer and director. For me, this film is a stunning string of miracles.

Our two lead actresses, along with myself, our line producer, production manager, and assistant director are all mothers of young children. This film couldn’t have been made without the willingness to put our children’s needs first which, by the way, was totally possible. The first thing I would say to the cast and crew when they arrived on set was “I have a three year old daughter. Her name is Alice, if you see her around please take a moment to introduce yourself to her kindly and gently, and please understand that her needs come first should something arise throughout the day.” Everyone was receptive. The attitude of family-first created a stronger sense of whole hearted presence and trust in our production leaders… a team of mothers.

It stars fine artist, Erin Hammond, but the story was inspired by the life of the late feminist painter, Huguette Caland, who fled oppression leaving her children in Beirut to make a name for herself in the art world.

I was interested in exploring what it’s like to be a woman with maternal values pursuing a career in art while dealing with oppressive and often abusive circumstances inherent in patriarchal society.

Under the emotional turmoil and various ways of acting out there is a deeper question the film asks the audience. Can we be equally devoted to creative freedom and family? What is more important as it relates to one’s life purpose? Can we judge a person for their priorities? What is the cost of this freedom?

It was essential to me that our process creating the film be infused with the energy of the message. Because of the lead characters’ arc from disempowerment to empowerment, I wanted to create a culture on set where the feminine was honored.

Without having any intention to contribute a particular perspective other than my own, I do feel that my film represents a uniquely feminine approach to cinematic storytelling and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the ever-growing wave of women in film and the expansion in consciousness the female gaze essentially offers.

I understand now that filmmaking can be a shamanic art. The collaborative process of writing, producing, directing, and acting in this film has been undeniably shepherded by spirit. My greatest wish is that I continue to shed light, and share the beauty and humor I perceive in the strangest, simplest, moments that connect us.

With a sense of beauty and play, my intention is for this story to offer insight to the mystical healing patterns that emerge when someone dies and confrontation with reality is forced within a toxic family dynamic. The hope is that we recognize the sometimes subtle and somewhat tragic ways in which love prevails.

~ S ~

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Author: chicagofilmfestival

Submit your Short Film and get it showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival in Chicago. 1 event in 2019. 12 events in 2020. Festival takes place at LOGAN Theatre in downtown Chicago on the 3rd Friday of every single month.

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