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NORTH STAR
TYPE: Narrative Short
GENRE: Drama
STATUS: Post-Production
LOGLINE
A rural rancher and his ailing husband, struggling against poverty and isolation, make a heartbreaking decision in order to preserve the dignity of their marriage.
SYNOPSIS
A 30 minute short fiction film about a rural rancher and his ailing husband, struggling against poverty and isolation, who must make another heartbreaking decision in order to preserve the dignity of their marriage in the face of mounting pressures well-intentioned but unaccepting family.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
Don’t just write what scares you – write what will change your life.
NORTH STAR is a story based on my own experiences of being in a same-sex, multi-cultural relationship. Writing it required a truth and vulnerability that was, quite frankly, frightening to expose.
Here, I’ve imagined a middle-aged gay couple living in a rural-American ranch setting. James is a patriotic man of color, a good partner, and hard-working rancher with a husband, Craig, who is dying of degenerative ailments. This story unites themes of loss, dedication, isolation and family while using love as its true North.
I’ve found the script to be a sort of Rorschach test, allowing people to project their own beliefs and experiences onto the story in ways that opens a dialogue about the dignity of marriage, choices made in families and the power of love.
NORTH STAR has brought together an exceptional dream-team of talented and notable filmmakers who believe strongly in the film's potential to touch audiences. NORTH STAR is a film that is meant to bring deep-seated blind spots in all of us into focus.
The best arguments in the world won’t change a persons heart. The only thing that can do that is a good story.
This is a movie I needed as a kid. It would have changed my life, knowing that there are people in the world like me – that I could grow up to have relationships that reflect who I am. And now, as a filmmaker, I get to make the movies I needed, so anyone else who needs them can have them too.
This story is not about ‘those people’. It’s about all of us.
- P.J. Palmer
KEY CREW
P.J. Palmer - Writer / Director
Award-winning writer and filmmaker. Series Producer for the critically acclaimed LGBTQ drama series ANYONE BUT ME on Hulu.
Ernesto Lomeli - Cinematographer
A bi-national cinematographer known for his notable work on Guillermo Del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM and Netflix’s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.
Jeffrey Gafner - Casting Director
With over 15 years of casting experience in film and TV, Gafner is best known for his work on IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA.
Ryan Haffey - Producer
Award-winning producer and writer, Haffey's credits include the feature film BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE and a documentary on THE GRAPES OF WRATH.
Andrew Carlberg - Executive Producer
Oscar-winning producer of film, television and Broadway, Carlberg recently produced SKIN, the winner of the 2019 Academy Award® for Live Action Short.
Brandon Proctor - Sound Design
An Academy Award® nominated and BAFTA nominated Sound Designer known for his work on the acclaimed films BLACK PANTHER and A QUIET PLACE.
Malcolm Gets - as "Craig"
A career of decades spanning across film, TV and theatre, Gets is known for his work in HBO's GREY GARDENS and SEX AND THE CITY.
AUDREY WASILEWSKI - as "Erin"
Featured in over 200 titles across film, TV, voice over and commercial, known for her SAG Award® winning work in MAD MEN and RED with Bruce Willis.
Emily Palmer - Producer
From Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and all points in between, Emily manages productions on national commercials for global brands including APPLE MUSIC and ADIDAS.
Lindsey Moreno - Co-Producer
With 15 years experience in the film industry, Lindsey is co-creator, writer and producer on the TV pilot project, OBIT, and the docuseries, UNCLAIMED.
Corey Reynolds - Executive Producer
Writer and producer of feature-length projects including TRIPLE NICKLES and WALKING IN MOCCASINS, both currently in development.
Laura Innes - as "Jess Broderick"
Known for her award-winning portrayal of Dr. Kerry Weaver on the long-running series ER and her roles in THE GOOD NEIGHBOR and DEEP IMPACT
Kevin Bacon - as "Dr. Owen Broderick"
From DINER, FOOTLOOSE, A FEW GOOD MEN and APOLLO 13 to his series I LOVE DICK and CITY ON A HILL, Kevin's work has been celebrated for decades.
Colman Domingo - as "James"
Celebrated for his award winning body of work on stage, television and film including IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, LINCOLN, SELMA, BIRTH OF A NATION, and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD
Connect With The Filmmakers:
ACCOLADES
UPDATE - October 05, 2019
Staged Reading of North Star on Nov 2nd, 2019 at Film Independent in Los Angeles. Full cast read-thorough. Donors welcome to attend. Email for details at info@twenty2vision.org
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