We Go Way Back 
| Directed by: | Lynn Shelton |
|---|---|
| Written by: | Lynn Shelton |
| Starring: | Amber Hubert, Maggie Brown, Robert Hamilton Wright |
| Country: | U S A |
| Created: | 2006 |
| Runtime: | 80 min. |
| Member: | seashel |
|
Average rating: 4.63 by 81 users
Film Description:
Synopsis
A hard-working actress with a small theater company, Kate lands her first leading role on her 23rd birthday. When she reads a cheerfully inquisitive letter from her 13-year-old self, it seems she might actually be fulfilling childhood aspirations. But the letter triggers mounting confusion for Kate, and her former self--in the form of a voice and the occasional fleeting vision--won't seem to go away. As Kate bends to the unreasonable whims of those around her with ever-dwindling resistance, the protests of her pre-adolescent self grow more hauntingly intrusive until, in a surrealistic turn, 13-year-old Katie appears in the flesh, primed for a confrontation. Beautifully shot and poetically edited, this resonant film explores the comedy and pain of finding the courage to face up to yourself.
Forms: Narrative Fiction, Feature
Genres: Alternative, Coming of Age , Independent, Magical Realism, Surreal, Dramedy, Reality
Niches: Women
Screenings & Events
Slamdance Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature
Park City, Utah, U S A
January 2006
Slamdance Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: Kodak Vision Award for Best Cinematography
Park City, Utah, U S A
January 2006
Maryland Film Festival
Film Festival
Baltimore, U S A
May 2006
Seattle International Film Festival
Film Festival
Seattle, U S A
June 2006
Sidewalk Moving Pictures Film Festival
Film Festival
Birmingham, U S A
September 2006
Sao Paulo Film Festival
Film Festival
Sao Paulo, Brazil
September 2006
Torun Film Festival TOFFI
Film Festival
Awards: Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography
Torun, Poland
October 2006
Cast & Crew
Gregg Lachow (Producer), Lynn Shelton (Director (1st Feature)), Peggy Case (Producer)
WritingLynn Shelton (Writer (1st Feature))
PerformanceAaron Blakely (Supporting Actor), Amber Hubert (Lead Actor), Basil Harris (Supporting Actor), Maggie Brown (Lead Actor), Robert Hamilton Wright (Lead Actor)
CameraBenjamin Kasulke (Cinematographer/DP)
Art DepartmentTania Kupczak (Production Designer)
Post ProductionLynn Shelton (Picture Editor), Michelle Witten (Picture Editor), Vinny Smith (Sound Editor)
MusicLaura Veirs (Original Music/Composer)
2) I hope folks come to the LA screening of my film tomorrow and come up to say hi after!
3) I just have to mention that this film never would have been made were it not for this incredible nonprofit film studio (the first of its kind) currrently based in Seattle, called The Film Company. Brainchild of Gregg Lachow, a talented filmmaker in his own right, The Film Company greenlights artists not projects. They invite filmmakers whose work they love to come make features with them. Their fulltime staff of collaborative film artists (talented and generous to a one) provide the crew and the Film Company produces. Being invited to write and direct a film with them was the pretty much the most remarkable experience of my life, second only to giving birth to my kid.
Ratings
torque
Director/writer Lynn Shelton nails this one! Great soundtrack,on top of a wonderfull cast, makes this a must see.
andrewsix
WGWB's careful attention to detail in a mundane world reminds us that eye-opening experiences can be just steps away from the beaten path. Amber's terrific performance is sure to be one of many.
citizenkane
Wonderful script, beautifully acted, masterfully shot! A true unique voice that speaks to all through the refelctive eyes of a young woman struggling to cope with an emotional crossroad in her life.
storypipe
Saw a screening of this the other night in Seattle. A beatiful film. Beautifully shot and acted. Very much in the style of Lost in Translation, but it's own creation. A poem on film. Makes me proud to be a Seattle filmmaker. Congratulations Lynn!
Lulubelle
I felt as though I could see her worls through her eyes. The story, the characters came to life and touched me.
Dr_Bob
A beautiful, delicate, poetic film that reassures us that our most important relationships are intrapersonal.
clyde
I like how much space there is in this film, butg also how the soundtrack carries it along. Also, i enjoy the extreme pile of potatoes.
NorthwestVP
Best writing, cinematography and directing I've seen in a movie in a seriously LONG time!
cortezcortez
inexpressibly charming. parallels will immediately be drawn to one's own life. maggie brown's hauntingly (no pun intended) ingenious performance as 13-year-old Kate will stay with you for weeks on end. scene with goats: beautifully fluffy.
mrs_oberst
I love it. You should too! Great writing, directing, editing, and camera work. Awesome film.
mark_s
This film has great charm,warmth, music and camera work... The two Kates were great and the story of reflecting back on life's choices was told in a fresh and thoughtful way...
ThePiemaker
You won't see a better-looking film this year. And watch out for Maggie Brown, she has the it factor and is a joy to watch.
davefilmguy
Strong in every regard. Give this director/writer the means to fully unleash her talent and look out.
heha1
As a professional therapist, this movie was authentic and moving in its accurate portrayal of so many people's lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and recommended it to my family, friends and clients as an avenue to re-experience earlier life.
gnosys
A lovely, wise and often hilariously funny film. Brilliantly written. Flawlessly cast. Oh yeah, and the music is terrific.
Scobie
Shelton somehow creates the perfect petri dish for her surreal twist: a rainy mood so quiet and sad and funny that you don't see it coming, and when it does come you embrace it without even thinking. How DOES she do it??? -- a total favorite
rlr
This is a cleaver, tender and sometimes very funny film. It is an intelliegent look at becoming what we pretend to be, with just enough edge to be very entertaining.
vtrue
A quiet, daring story, beautifully brought to the screen. It made me laugh and cry. Shelton is becoming a master.
30 Comments about We Go Way Back
Feb 06, 2008 08:50PM
We are impressed with your film. We organise 3 major film festivals in India. We wish to screen your film at 1 of our international film festivals. There are no submission fees payable for your film. Kindly visit http://www.pumelo.com. Final submission date - 29th February. Incase you miss the deadline please email isavo@rediffmail.com to submit for our next film festival.
Feb 27, 2007 05:37PM
I see the great Savio has invited you to his "Festival." Please check out the WAB message boards. Hit search and type in, "Pumelo."
Your film looks terrific and certainly has garnered a ton of interest on WAB. The very best of luck to you!
Burnley
www.donttalksodumb.com
Jul 12, 2006 10:00AM
You made a great film, grade A. Check out my buddy's film:
VISIONS OF VIOLENCE
The trailers are featured online at youtube.com, below are 2 links for 2 different trailers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-nGmFWjjWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8eCTjIrwbg
Please check them out, but, please do not mind the quality, the actual movie is a lot crisper and clearer....they uploaded like they are.
and check out the film and read the blog under the member:
http://audience.withoutabox.com/films/visionsofviolence
Jul 04, 2006 03:10AM
We're countries and people that never read their own past. It's good leson for the struggling Africa. Is the movie coming to Africa?
Tinavidy
May 26, 2006 02:51PM
I want to see your film right now!! We go way back. I love your title..
Apr 12, 2006 09:43PM
I saw this film in L.A. at a best of Slamdance showcase. It's really great. It made me uncomfortable thoughout because it rang so many bells. I've never seen a film explore a female character in a way that I found so chillingly relatable. I really enjoyed it.
Mar 11, 2006 01:47PM
I loved this film, so well written and brought to life through a great cast. Thematically this film resonated deeply with me, looking at a young girl's hopes and curiosity about who her future self will become. There were such poignant moments meshed with insightful comedic relief tied together by a beautiful soundtrack. I hope to see it distributed for more people to enjoy.
Mar 07, 2006 04:35PM
This was a wonderful film that inspired my own creative expression. The characters were real yet deeply developed. I say my former self all too well in this movie. This movie needs to be out in the public eye.
Peg
Mar 06, 2006 11:57AM
this film makes it all settle into the lovely and sublime. beautiful film work, fine writing and performances. let's see more, let more see this.
Mar 04, 2006 11:01AM
Great film, we really enjoyed it. Everyone needs the chance to see it. It is very relatable and one for reflection. Great soundtrack as well.
Mar 04, 2006 09:38AM
I saw this film in New York in a raw cut version and thought it a terrific film, filled with humor and insights. I hope it gets a wide distribution.
wohcal
Mar 02, 2006 09:55AM
We Go Way Back and The Film Company is an inspiration to all artists that strive to tell a story. Maggie Brown holds a special presence as an an actress and I am excited to see future success for this film.
Mar 01, 2006 08:52PM
Writer/director, Lynn Shelton has infused this film with the feel of an exquisit hiaku poem. One lovely image is placed after another with such restraint and skill that the whole takes on a meaning beyond the sum of its parts. There is a sense of reality to this film as well. I did some theater work when I was younger, and I can't think of another film that portrays stage rehearsals and theater life with such authenticity as "We Go Way Back. This is truly a work of art!
Mar 01, 2006 08:44PM
I saw this film at a showing in Seattle. I loved it! I did some theater work when I was younger, and I am very impressed with the way this film captures the essense of working on a play. I can't think of another film I've seen that portrays stage rehearsals and theater life so accurately. Lynn Shelton also brings a wonderful eye for the humor in the process.
The tone of the film impressed me even more than its accuracy. Shelton has infused the film with an the quality of an exquisit haiku poem. Lovely images placed one after another with such skill and restraint that the whole amounts to much more than the sum of its parts. The film stays with me - the scenes sifting through my mind again and again. 'We Go Way Back' is truly a work of art!
Mar 01, 2006 02:27PM
We Go Way Back is an impressive feature debut for Lynn Shelton. I was particularly captivated by the editing and sound mix, and by Amber Hubert who has a lovely understated presence on film. Basil Harris was great too.
Mar 01, 2006 01:34PM
I'm drawn to this film for its almost disconcerting use of light, space and time. It's ethereal and mundane at once, sad and funny, and hopeful. I've seen it twice and I'll see it more. Magical!
Feb 28, 2006 10:26PM
I like how much space there is in this film, but also how the soundtrack carries it along. Also, i enjoy the extreme pile of potatoes.
Feb 28, 2006 08:19PM
Lynn is everything I look up to and idolize as a writer and director. This movie NEEDS to be seen. It can speak to anyone on some level or another...
Feb 28, 2006 07:55PM
I thought this was beautifully cast with an excellent sense of atmosphere. Just a taste of what this filmmaker will eventually become, which is big.
Feb 28, 2006 05:24PM
this film draws you in and rather than spitting you back out, rests you gently in another place... very moving. i thought about it for a long time afterward.
Feb 28, 2006 02:19PM
I've seen this film three times, and really, I'm just not that kind of person. This movie is very very funny, and tells an important story about how we remember the best person within us, and let go of all the social sediment that we accrue over the years. I can't wait until more of the people I love have the opportunity to see this film so that we can talk about it. Thank you Lynn and Thank you Film Company.
Feb 28, 2006 02:19PM
I've seen this film three times, and really, I'm just not that kind of person. This movie is very very funny, and tells an important story about how we remember the best person within us, and let go of all the social sediment that we accrue over the years. I can't wait until more of the people I love have the opportunity to see this film so that we can talk about it. Thank you Lynn and Thank you Film Company.
Feb 28, 2006 02:12PM
We Go Way Back is a beautiful film with a great soundtrack. The acting was pretty sweet too. Lynn Shelton is an amazing writer and director, and I hope she continues to make great films like We Go Way Back. My 13 year old self would love it!
Feb 28, 2006 01:47PM
I was lucky enough to see this film at a preview showing in the Seattle area; it's a very powerful and effective piece, with great emotional/philosophical impact, a film that stayed on my mind long after the initial viewing.
There's a lot to like here: great acting (especially by Amber Hubert), beautiful framing and creative cinematography, and a lively, varied soundtrack that perfectly suits the film's delightfully quirky combination of alienation and connectedness.
Feb 28, 2006 01:08PM
A beautifully filmed story that left me alternately laughing and crying. Great soundtrack too.
Feb 28, 2006 12:02PM
This film has great charm,warmth, music and camera work... The two Kates were great and the story of reflecting back on life's choices was told in a fresh and thoughtful way... lovely!
Feb 28, 2006 10:57AM
This film was really enjoyable to watch: excellent story, with just the right touch of humor, and I was able to relate with the protagonist.
Feb 28, 2006 10:19AM
We Go Way Back was my favorite movie at Slamdance. Amber Hubert was amazing.
Feb 28, 2006 09:47AM
This film really moved me, it is relatable/heartbreaking on so many levels. Amber Hubert and Maggie Brown were both captivating. Beautifully shot with a mezmerizing score
Feb 23, 2006 11:47PM
Great job Lynn. It was nice to finally see your film, also great to learn more about the Film Company from Gregg. Lots of good projects in the works...
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