Famously coined in Magnolia and perhaps applicable here…we may be through with the past… but the past is not through with us. Deadline reports that The Orchard have landed one of the more “difficult” and most noticeable directorial debuts of 2016 and this year’s SXSW Film fest in Kris Avedisian’s Donald Cried. Starring Avedisian, Jesse Wakeman and indie starlet Louisa Krause (The Heart Machine, The Mend, Gabriel), The Orchard will release this theatrically early next year. The pic surfaced at New Directors/New Films, and will likely grab further film festival slots (upcoming Montclair Film Fest) and play at some international film fests friendly to America indie items beforehand.
Gist: Peter Latang (Jesse Wakeman) leaves working class Warwick, Rhode Island to reinvent himself as a slick, Wall Street mover and shaker. Fifteen years later, the sudden passing of his grandmother forces him to return to his hometown. An unfortunate turn of events leaves Peter no choice but to call the last person he’d ever want to see: his long, (and thankfully) lost, childhood friend, Donald Treebeck (Kristopher Avedisian). Donald hasn’t changed a bit, and what starts as a simple favor turns into a ride into their past.
Worth Noting: This is based on the 2011 short film of the same name.
Do We Care?: With Variety describing it as filled with “anxious, cringe-inducing humor,” with our Nicholas Bell adding that “there are some deliciously awkward moments of discomfort here,” we’re expecting a memorable movie-going experience to look forward to in 2017.
