Tag Archives: comedy-drama

‘MOVE ME NO MOUNTAIN’ (2024) makes it’s stunning hometown debut at Indie Vegas Film Festival this weekend

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indie Vegas film festival logoMove Me No Mountain

Deborah Richards’ locally filmed drama 
MOVE ME NO MOUNTAIN
Makes “homecoming screening” at
Indie Vegas Film Festival
Saturday, April 27

move me no mountain poster

SYNOPSIS
Real estate agent Jenna Anderson is crippled by guilt from the violent and sudden death of her daughter. The experience and the unbearable weight it places her under, leads Jenna to abandon the life she knew to live on the streets of Sin City, Las Vegas. There, she finds herself among people who have different reasons for being homeless. Then, Jenna meets an exploited homeless girl who lives with her addict caretaker. After a violent attack, she helps the homeless girl escape her situation. Now, the two of them must try to find a way out of unforgiving life they have been living on the streets before it consumes them.

move me no moutain- jennaWritten, directed, edited, and shot by Deborah Richards, Indie Vegas Film Festival 2024 selection MOVE ME NO MOUNTAINS is a dark meditation on grief and healing. 

Richards leans into Jenna’s pain-numbing and Self-destructive behaviors. Unable to climb out of her loss, The film follows day by day of Jenna’s chosen homelessness, displaying the ever-evolving danger, hopelessness, and saving grace. MOVE ME NO MOUNTAIN captivates in contrasting closeups and sprawling wide-angle shots. Both are unforgiving and awe-inspiring. 

move me no mountainThe script dives headfirst into the plight of the unhoused from every perspective, giving us a wide range of backstories in the characters Jenna crosses paths with. The film’s premiere comes at an auspicious moment in history as The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a complicated case that may make homelessness illegal. Richards handles the issue with the care and respect it deserves. 

Cat Lellie is ceaselessly compelling as Jenna. She delivers a compassionate authenticity and lived-in sorrow. MOVE ME NO MOUNTAIN lives and dies by her dazzling presence and Deborah Richards‘ engrossing storytelling.

MOVE ME NO MOUNTAIN SCREENING INFORMATION
Saturday, April 27 at 7:30PM
Cinemark Century Orleans 18 and XD
The Century Orleans Hotel and Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

TICKETS
https://www.indievegasfilmfestival.com/

LOCALLY SHOT WITH A FOCUS ON LAS VEGAS’ HOMELESS PROBLEM
Move Me No Mountain was shot entirely in Southern Nevada, including the underground flood control tunnels, and shows the city as it’s never been portrayed before in a movie.

The movie highlights the Las Vegas Valley’s homeless problem, particularly as it affects women. Multiple Emmy-award winning filmmaker Deborah Richards, and Emmy-nominated producer Patrick Wirtz are both Las Vegas residents who worked with the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and the Shine A Light Foundation to bring the issues facing the homeless population to light in this film.

Deborah Richards - Film Director - Head Shot
Deborah Richards

Director/Writer:                        Deborah Richards
Producer:                                  Patrick Wirtz
Editor:                                       Deborah Richards
Cinematographer:                    Deborah Richards                      
Composer:                               Travis Lohman, David Rosen
Cast:                                         Cat Lellie, Nicholas Roylance, Amanda Forstrom
TRT:                                          84 min
Country:                                   USA

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Review: ‘FAIRYTALE’ is nothing short of magic.

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Synopsis: United States, the 50s. Amongst stuffed poodles, whiskey-infused teas, sinful mambo lessons, and threats of alien invasion, Mrs. Fairytale spends her days locked in her dream home and without a moment to breathe. A surreal world where anyone can finally be who they want to be, but behind which hides another upsetting reality.

Sebastiano Mauri‘s directorial debut, based on Filippo Timi‘s play, Fairytale is a deliciously eccentric cinematic experience. The glorious opening shots where Mrs. Fairytale’s face is hidden are simply genius. The over-the-top 1950’s sets, with their saturated color schemes and patterns, not to mention the glaringly flat and ever-changing window visuals, make for the highly stylized wonder that is Fairytale. And that is the literal first minute of this film. The sheer absurdity of every single aspect of this film is magic. The physical theatricality of the blocking, performances, and lighting is such a deliberate choice it must mirror Timi’s original staged version. I could not imagine this film being presented in any other way.

Mrs. Fairytale is what happens when you combine Miss Yvonne and Pee-Wee Herman and make them take the Playhouse scenario seriously. I genuinely mean this as a compliment. Fairytale has all the markings of a cult classic. The visual transitions between scenes are colorful dreams. The underlying message is what’s most important. Fairytale is about living your truth and loving who you want to love. It’s wrapped in a farce, making it all the more entertaining. The very final act takes a sharp left turn, but it more of a “why not?” moment. It is equally as enchanting and impactful.

Filippo Timi as our lead is perfection. If someone doesn’t give him an award I will be angry. I said it, angry. You cannot overlook the specificity of his individual beats. They are so funny because they are so genuine. Think Lucille Ball level of hilarity. If you aren’t belly laughing, someone needs to check your pulse. Supporting cast members are all spectacular. The costumes are a beautiful mix of garish and period-accurate. They add another element to the performances you’ll have to see to understand.  Trust me when I say they have weight to them.

You can watch Fairytale today on DVD and VOD. There is nothing like it. I see 100’s of films a year. I have no doubt Fairytale will land in my top ten list in 2020.