Audience, Withoutabox

Eve of Understanding U S A

Directed by: Alyson Shelton
Written by: Alyson Shelton
Starring: Rebecca Lowman, Bellamy Young, Daniel Magill
Country:U S A
Created:2005
Runtime:93 min.
Member: jenp77




Film Description: A married man. An abusive father. A religious zealot. All stops on Donna's trip to carry out her mother's dying wish. But even in death Eve can't calm the storm caused by secrets and lies.

Http://www.EveOfUnderstanding.com

BLOG: http://www.OpenPlanProductions.blogspot.com

Upcoming Screenings:
AFI Dallas March 29 & 31, Dallas, TX
Lake County Film Festival, Lake County, IL, March 9, 10
Women's International Film Festival South Florida, Miami, FL March 29-April 1
CIM Madrid International Film Festival, Madrid, Spain, March 26-April 1
Swansea Bay Film Festival in Wales, UK, June, 2007
DETAILS BELOW

Synopsis

DONNA can’t seem to get her life together. Chain-smoking with a bad haircut, she feels it’s all gone wrong, every little bit. When Donna’s mother, EVE, dies, her sister, LISA, inherits everything of value; all Donna gets is a list of addresses and mementos from her mother’s life, to be delivered to the significant people of her past. Her mother’s dying wish sends Donna on a road trip from Texas to Arizona to make peace, uncover secrets, and find some understanding in the life she's been dealt. Past water towers and rice dryers, through one-stoplight towns, Donna makes her way down the list. Each delivery closes a chapter of Eve’s life, but it's ripping Donna’s old wounds right open. Her absentee father, her evangelical aunt, people who were supposed to be there and weren’t, even in death Eve can’t calm the storm caused by secrets and lies. Self destructive and hurt, Donna falls off the wagon and into old familiar patterns, old familiar beds… A hundred miles from El Paso, sitting in the blinding sun with her brother, MICHAEL, Donna starts to realize she might be more than just the messenger. She must break through her own fears and seek the truth once and for all about her mother, her family, and desires for her own life. Among the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, Donna sits at the end of her journey to scatter the ashes of the mother she didn’t really come to know except through other people’s memories.

Forms: Narrative Fiction, Feature
Genres: Drama, Road Trip
Niches: Gay/Lesbian, Women

Screenings & Events

Sedona International Film Festival
Film Festival
Sedona, U S A
February 2006

Method Fest
Film Festival
Awards: Best Actress Nomination, Rebecca Lowman as 'DONNA'
Calabasas, U S A
April 2006

Female Eye Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER BEST FEATURE FILM, nominee Best of Show
Toronto, ON, Canada
June 2006

Waterfront Film Festival
Film Festival
Saugatuck, Michigan, U S A
June 2006

Dances With Films
Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA, U S A
July 2006

Rhode Island International Film Festival
Film Festival
Providence, RI, U S A
August 2006

Breckenridge Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER BEST ACTRESS, Rebecca Lowman
Breckenridge, CO, U S A
September 2006

Boston Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER BEST ACTRESS, Rebecca Lowman
Boston, MA, U S A
September 2006

FAIF International Film Festival
Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA, U S A
October 2006

28th International Film Festival of Cinema and Women
Film Festival
Florence, Italy
October 2006

Beverly Hills Hi Def Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER, BEST FEATURE FILM
Beverly Hills, CA, U S A
December 2006

Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival
Film Festival
Augusta, Georgia, U S A
January 2007

Zion Independent Film Festival
Film Festival
Springdale, Utah, U S A
February 2007

FYLMZ Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER BEST ACTRESS, FINALIST, ONLINE CHAMPION, FEATURE COMPETITION
Nashville, Tennessee, U S A
February 2007

AFI Dallas International Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: WINNER SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Dallas, Texas, U S A
March 2007

Lake County Film Festival
Film Festival
Lake County, Illinois, U S A
March 2007

CIM Madrid International Film Festival
Film Festival
Madrid, Spain
March 2007

Women's International Film Festival South Florida
Film Festival
Miami, Florida, U S A
March 2007

Swansea Bay Film Festival
Film Festival
Swansea Bay, Wales, United Kingdom
June 2007

Cast & Crew

Production

Alyson Shelton (Director (1st Feature)), Jen Prince (Producer, Executive Producer)

Writing

Alyson Shelton (Writer (1st Feature))

Performance

Bellamy Young (Lead Actor), Daniel Magill (Lead Actor), Rebecca Lowman (Lead Actor)

Camera

Elizabeth Santoro (Cinematographer/DP)

Art Department

Brenda Hinesley (Costume Designer), Cody Shelton (Production Designer)

Post Production

Cody Shelton (Picture Editor), Marcelo Teson (Sound Editor)

Music

Peter Senchuk (Original Music/Composer)

Representation

Lauri Blue (Publicist)

Upcoming Screenings  Jul 10, 2006 03:18PM
AFI Dallas International Film Festival
March 22-April 1.
http://www.afidallas.com.
*Thursday, March 29, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
Magnolia Theatre # 4
*Saturday, March 31, 2007 @ 12:00 pm (noon)
Magnolia Theatre # 5
Q&A to follow both screenings.
The Magnolia
3699 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75204
214.520.0098
www.landmarktheatres.com

Tickets are available through AFI Dallas beginning March 2. Tickets are sold online or in person. See http://www.afidallas.com for more details. Additionally there are many hotel discounts at: http://www.filmdfw.com/page.php?s=AFI_Dallas_Hotels2007

Women's International Film Festival South Florida
March 29-April 1, 2007
Time TBA
Miami, Florida
http://www.wiffonline.org

Zion Independent Film Festival
February 23-25, 2007
Springdale, Utah (Zion National Park)
Screening TBA
http://www.zionfilmfestival.com

Lake County Film Festival
March 8-12, 2007
Lake County, Illinois (Chicago Area)
http://www.lakecountyfilmfest.com
Eve screens twice:
*
Friday, March 9, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
American Legion Hall
715 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
*
Saturday, March 10, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
Civic Center
135 W Church St, Libertyville, IL 60048

CIM Madrid International Film Festival
March 26-April 1, 2007
Time TBA
Madrid, Spain
http://www.festivalcim.org

Swansea Bay Film Festival
June 1-10, 2007
Time TBA
Swansea Bay, Wales, UK
http://www.swanseafilmfestival.com
May 17, 2006 05:29PM

Rebecca Lowman as Donna in Eve of Understanding
Director's Statement May 17, 2006 05:24PM
I love stories. Good stories. Hearing them. Telling them. Being swept up in them. For years I've fervently dreamt of telling stories of my own. First I imagined this would happen in play form, coming from an acting and theater background that just made sense. But then, in college, I started writing these tricky things called screenplays. I think somewhere I knew that in order to write a truly engaging one it would take me time, effort and inspiration, and it did. Over the years my scripts have gotten better and better and these last few have been good, even great. And then Jen Prince, my producing partner, and I went to Sundance in January 2005. We went to a ton of screenings. It enlivened us and made us want to make movies even more. But how to make a film now? With so little money? Plenty of ideas and some resources, but money, we were definitely short on that. Cody Shelton, my husband and constant inspiration, turned to me one night before bed and said, "Let's make a movie this spring. Let's just do it, for like $20,000." I asked if he had a cheap and great script like that. He said "No." And I said, "Well then we need to have one of those first."

I couldn't sleep that night. I tried, but I couldn't. I started thinking of the resources available to us; places we could stay for free, crewmembers that would pitch in for free, eating establishments we could hit up, possible investors, etc. And I started to weave a tale that felt so right; I couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew the shooting format had to be mini DV, that was a given, so I thought of a story gritty and personal enough that it had to be told that way, not as a compromise, but as the perfect way to shoot it. And at 2am I gave up on sleeping and headed to the computer, where I worked 'til dawn.

A week later I completed 'Eve of Understanding.' Even as I wrote it I knew we were going to make this movie. Jen budgeted it right away, bringing it in at a very very low budget, but still far more money than we imagined we could raise. But the three of us, Jen, Cody and myself, looked at each other on that Tuesday night in mid-February and said, "If not now, when?" And off we went.

We threw ourselves headlong into pre-production. We had 2 months to get our shit together and set out on the road to Texas and Arizona in a cargo van and a Honda Accord, full of our equipment and us; me, Jen, Cody, Elizabeth Santoro, the DP and Rebecca Lowman, our star. We slept in our friends and relatives houses and shot 6 days a week for 4 weeks, staying on schedule and on budget. We did what we believed was possible, and mostly with a smile on our faces.

I'm telling a story I care deeply about. "Eve of Understanding" weaves together so many elements that fascinate me. It addresses the lies people tell themselves to survive and how those lies imprint themselves on their loved ones - indelibly. I love the main character Donna because she rushes headlong through life unsure of her purpose, but with passion, and at the end it becomes clear what her purpose was all along - to find herself. I think it's something we can all identify with, but it's more than that. Donna's sent, by her deceased mother, to drop off tokens to Eve's loved ones. A reverse scavenger hunt of sorts. We're captivated by the twists and turns Eve creates from the grave. Eve couldn't truly love Donna in life, but in death she gives Donna the gift of honesty, of full disclosure. The one thing Donna longs for, without even knowing. I think there's so much hope in this film, even though it can be hard to watch at times, it's also full of laughs and irony, a certain reality that I long for in movies.

What we've created, this movie, "Eve of Understanding," it's a story that makes me feel incredibly proud. Every day.
May 17, 2006 05:21PM


Rebecca Lowman as DONNA

Best Actress, Boston Film Festival
Best Actress, Breckenridge Film Festival
Best Actress, Nominee, MethodFest

Rebecca can currently be seen in the US Premiere of "iWitness", a play by Joshua Sobol at the Mark Taper Forum in iWitness. She is also in the upcoming Regent release, The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green.
May 17, 2006 05:15PM
Festivals  May 17, 2006 12:39PM
Eve of Understanding has been an official selection at:
Sedona International Film Festival (Sedona, AZ)
MethodFest (Calabasas, CA)
Waterfront Film Festival (Saugatuck, MI)
Female Eye Film Festival (Toronto, ON)
Dances With Films (Los Angeles, CA)
Rhode Island International Film Festival
Breckenridge Film Festival, Colorado
Boston Film Festival
FAIF International Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA
28th International Film Festival of Women and Cinema in Florence, Italy
Beverly Hills Hi Def Film Festival
Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival
Zion Independent Film Festival
Swansea Bay International Film Festival in Wales, UK
CIM Madrid International Film Festival
Park City Film Music Festival
Lake County Film Festival

FINALIST, FYLMZ Film Festival
WINNER BEST FEATURE FILM Female Eye Film Festival, Toronto.
WINNER BEST FEATURE FILM Beverly Hills HI Def Film Festival
WINNER BEST ACTRESS Boston Film Festival (Rebecca Lowman)
WINNER BEST ACTRESS Breckenridge Film Festival (Rebecca Lowman)
WINNER SILVER MEDAL "Best Use of Music in a Feature Film", Peter Senchuk, composer, Park City Film Music Festival
It has been nominated for Best of Show at Female Eye Film Festival and Best Actress (Rebecca Lowman) at MethodFest
Visit our blog Mar 24, 2006 02:00PM
Please visit our official site www.EveOfUnderstanding.com
Our blog (which we have been keeping since August 2004, can be found at
http://www.openplanproductions.blogspot.com

Inside Look: Eve of Understanding


Interviews and clips of award winning feature 'Eve of Understanding.' Property of Open Plan Films.


Eve of Understanding Trailer


Trailer for Eve of Understanding, feature film written and directed by Alyson Shelton


Behind the Scenes Featurette


Eve of Understanding Behind the Scenes Featurette - meet the cast and crew as they film


10 Comments about Eve of Understanding

JasonGullickson
Mar 08, 2007 09:07AM

We would love to review your film!

Please visit http://reviewsbrothers.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-cant-turn-you-loose.html for the details about us and why we think we are the best choice for indie film reviews.

We look forward to hearing from you!
reviewsbrothers@google.com

Burnley
Feb 25, 2007 03:16PM

Very compelling synopsis! So many festivals state that their selections are, "all about the story." I am sure your film will continue to do well.

Regards,

Burnley
www.donttalksodumb.com

Open-the-Gate-Pictures
Oct 15, 2006 07:48PM

This is independant film at it's very best. I was blown away at FAIF.

Jim McConnon
Glacier Bay

jenp77
Aug 14, 2006 05:44PM

"This is one of those independent films where halfway through I start to wonder if Miramax, or Focus, or Fox Searchlight didn't sink millions into it. Writer/Director Alyson Shelton is fantastic. If you don't have a file on her already, start one. If you're in casting and you don't have a file on Rebecca Lowman then you need to be in another business. She has a working actor's résumé a mile long, but this appears to be her first full on lead. She doesn't just carry this film she dances with it. Kudos should go out to all of the departments on this one, too, especially DP Elizabeth Santoro. She's another one to keep an eye on, as her work is invisible – beautiful, but without upstaging the actors or the story. See this movie, not because you're in the business, but because you're a human being and so need and deserve to be exposed to work that is this good. Brava!"
-
Robert Mellette, Dances With Films

jenp77
Jun 29, 2006 10:47PM

"I didn’t have the courage to say hello in person today-so I’m doing it now. I saw the screening of "Eve" this afternoon at the WFF. Wow. I was deeply moved by the story- the journey that Donna took & especially the feeling of always knowing deep inside something was “off” but never being able to place it. I too, grew up not knowing my own biology, and I found myself really reaching a new level of healing just watching the film. Thank you both for such beautiful, beautiful work. It is appreciated!"
- Anonymous Viewer

jenp77
Jun 29, 2006 10:46PM

"I just got home from an amazing weekend at the WFF. On Sunday, I had the fortunate experience of seeing the second viewing of the Eve of Understanding, and was inspired and compelled to send you an email. I am a survivor of domestic violence. When I saw the description of your movie I was intrigued, and at the same time hesitant. As a survivor, I am a bit more sensitive and concerned about how the subject matter is handled. I can honestly say that I am glad I chose to view your movie. Eve of Understanding presents an honest and accurate portrayal of the experience of domestic violence, and all the complicated relationships that it impacts. It also provides a sense of hope and healing, despite all the obstacles, and that the cycle of voilence can be broken. Thank you for treating this subject matter with a great deal of respect and honest perspective. I have already told some family members about it, and would love for them to be able to experience the movie. I will continue to spread

jenp77
Jun 29, 2006 10:46PM

"Eve of Understanding is the type of film that gives substance to independent filmmaking. It makes the actor want to work more. The pulse of life is in the hands of the indie filmmaker, this is why I work in them. It gives purpose to my art and therefore purpose to my life."

-Nick Nolte, actor

jenp77
May 17, 2006 06:25PM

"Eve of Understanding" is a knock-out film on many levels. It is a
thought-provoking journey of self-discovery that hits close to the heart. With a
compelling and talented cast, an intelligent script and superb direction, the
film strikes a chord with its audience in an emotional, touching and very
sensitive way. Anyone dealing with ghosts from their past MUST see this film!
Old wounds can be ripped right open, as is obvious in "Eve of Understanding".
It's how we deal with these wounds that makes us strong. This film proves
triumphant in bringing so many powerful issues to the forefront! BRAVO!"

Patrick Schweiss
Executive Director, Sedona International Film Festival &
Workshop

jenp77
May 17, 2006 06:24PM

"Rebecca Lowman's performance in Eve of Understanding was a
sensational breakout performance. It came from an actor I was not yet
familiar with who, I now realize, is currently gathering rave reviews for her
performance also in the play, "I Witness" at the Mark Taper Forum. Lowman's
performance in Eve of Understanding is captivating. It is heartfelt, and
hits all the marks throughout the film. Lowman "is the part," and it is
consistent with the passion of the filmmakers, and entire cast on the Eve of
Understanding. Like Lowman's performance,which will be a great discovery
for Hollywood, Eve of Understanding is a discovery film, understated, done on ashoestring, and utterly convincing throughout. Exactly what we need more
of...a film that feels real."

Don Franken, Executive
Director, The 9th annual The Method Fest Independent Film Festival

jenp77
Mar 24, 2006 01:59PM

Please visit our official site www.EveOfUnderstanding.com
Our blog (which we have been keeping since August 2004, can be found at
http://www.openplanproductions.blogspot.com

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