Hollyshorts / Lone Star Film Festival - Chasing Grace
A young woman reluctantly meets with her estranged father only to discover the truth about the events of the wild 70’s summer that drove them apart.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Julia Barnett
Watch Chasing Grace on Tubi and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I had been writing about this story for many years and finally felt it was time to make it as my first film. “Chasing Grace” was based on my own childhood experiences. My parents were divorced when I was 4 years old and a lot of what happened during that time was clouded in mystery and misunderstandings. As I became a mother myself and delved further into what happened, I realized that some of my memories could not be trusted. I discussed this topic with others whose parents were divorced when they were young and many of them had similar experiences to mine. So, I set out to tell a story that explored misunderstood memories. What is true when you're 6 isn't always true when you are 36.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you have a parent or have become a parent yourself, there is a lot to identify with in the story.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It’s very personal to me, because my childhood experiences inspired it. But, the universal theme is of forgiveness and redemption.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I started working on this idea in 2004 and then shelved the it. I brought it back up a few years ago, but this time with the new perspective of being a parent myself.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Very positive and deeply personal for some people who were products of divorce, especially at a young age. A lot of people who grew up in the 70’s love the film and the nostalgia of that time and era, which I think we capture very well.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I’ve also been surprised at the number of people who have come up to me after seeing it and say, “That exact thing happened to me during my parent's divorce”. It has meant a lot to me to hear other's stories and perspectives and to know I created something that has deeply connected with audience members.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
As a first time director, I’m really honored to have my work seen and appreciated.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am working on the feature story inspired from this short and also developing another feature film set in Kenya, of which we have some strong names attached. I am looking for the right team to help move my projects forward.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope it will help others consider their childhood memories and the possibility that some hurts might have been misunderstood or misrepresented.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why did it take so long for Mel to tell Grace the truth about what happened?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am shooting my next short in October and developing a feature from it. I have also been in pre-production on a script I wrote set in Kenya. I lived there in the early 90’s and still travel to East Africa frequently with my work. I’m focused on getting these projects off the ground.
Interview: September 2017
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
_______________________________________________________________________________
Chasing Grace
A young woman reluctantly meets with her estranged father only to discover the truth about the events of the wild 70’s summer that drove them apart.
Length: 11 minutes
Director: Julia Barnett
Producer: Julia Barnett, Mayra Radzinksi
Writer: Julia Barnett
About the writer, director and producer:
Chasing Grace is Julia's director debut. She is an actress, writer, director and producer, and recently appeared in a recurring role on the TV show, "Nashville" as Heidi Bell. Her play, "Modern Missionary" won best play at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2006 and is currently in pre-production as a feature film. She is also in pre-production for her next short film and developing a feature based on that short and Chasing Grace.
Key cast: Christopher Backus, Jolie Vanier, Lydia Tracy, Julia Barnett
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Looking for agents and buyers to make the feature.
Social media handles: @thejuliabarnett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasinggraceshortfilm/
Twitter: @actingandafrica
Instagram: @juliabarnett
Other: Twitter: @chasinggracemov
Made in association with: Arts+Labor; Polecat Productions
Executive Producer: Connie Britton
Where can I see it in the next month?
Lone Star Film Festival