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The Other Women
TYPE: Narrative Short
GENRE: Comedy
STATUS: Pre-Production
LOGLINE
Three suburban girlfriends confront major midlife crises in their marriages, motherhood (or lack thereof) and trysts with younger men.
SYNOPSIS
Middle-aged moms Lisa and Sharon find their marriages in ruins. Instead of accepting toxicity, they say yes to “fun” as they are pursued by younger men. 50 and fabulous Clarissa faces her own perfectionism and chronic singlehood, amidst her friends and clients spicing up the suburbs.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
Our mature comedy explores reasons, beyond the stereotypes, of why older women go for younger men. It's a little bit "Sex in the City" (Suburbs) meets "Desperate Housewives" (without murder) sprinkled with some "Sex, Lies and Videotape" (Smartphone).
Society has placed an enormous pressure on men to provide for their families, and there is no universal childcare in the U.S. for working moms/couples. So, it's no wonder some parents (like our dad character Jay) succumb to unhealthy coping behaviors. I want to inspire single moms, and women of a certain age, to stand on their own two feet in a system that makes it difficult to thrive.
Hollywood has a current robust film roster of older women/younger men storylines, such as: “Baby Girl” written by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman; "The Perfect Find" based on the book by Tia Williams and starring Gabrielle Union; and my personal favorite “The Idea of You,” based on the novel by Robinne Lee and starring Anne Hathaway. We are not simply nouns, like Stifler’s Mom in “American Pie” (thank you Jennifer Coolidge).
It's time to trash the "cougar" trope and celebrate these other women instead of condemning what is simply human nature.
KEY CREW
Suummer Rain Menkee - Writer/Producer/Actor
Summer Rain Menkee is an award-winning actor, writer, producer whose past short film “Now or Never” won a jury prize at Oxford Film Festival, an audience award at The Valley Film Festival and screened at Cannes Independent and Short Film Corner. Her TV/Film acting credits include “Hysteria” (Peacock), “Dynasty” (CW), “The Resident” (FOX), “The First Lady” (Showtime) opposite Viola Davis, “TILL” (MGM). Summer has a passion for telling stories that help heal the genders, to dissipate the age-old battle of the sexes. She enjoys spending quality time with her two boys, Sage and Neel, and their two cats.
Phillip A. Anderson - Director
Philip A. Anderson has over 20 years of experience in the film industry and has worked as a cinematographer and camera operator for the last 12 years, including the recent Sundance Audiance Award winning film "Twinless" (2025), and television comedies “Portlandia” and “Everything Sucks.” Philip attended Eastern Washington University and received dual B.A.s in Communications and Clinical Psychology, while at the same time serving in the Army Reserve. Philip has also begun to work as a director helming the award-winning short film “The Talk,” and is working through post with his latest dark comedy short film “Collateral Breakup” produced by the Atlanta film group, Actor’s Army.
Taylor Hartley - Producer
Taylor Hartley is a multifaceted film producer, director, and actor with a wealth of experience supporting actors (such as Elizabeth Olsen and Haley Bennett) on high-profile productions for Marvel Studios, Apple TV+, Netflix, and more. Driven by a deep passion for storytelling, Taylor focuses on creating narratives that explore the complex journeys of women and queer people—and aims to create aesthetically beautiful films that transport audiences beyond their everyday lives, blending humor and heartbreak, and fostering a profound sense of reflection.
Solange Tran - Director of Photography
Solange Tran is an award-winning Director of Photography who also operates camera. When she’s not working on indie films she’s running her video agency “It’s Majik Media” which creates brand building videos for social impact brands and nonprofits. She enjoys cooking for loved ones (including her dog Majik) and going to concerts and stand-up comedy shows.
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