New York-based Argentine director and screenwriter Romina Schwedler–an alum of the 12th Annual SHOOT New Directors Showcase in 2014–sheds a light on ageism in her short film Now You See Us which debuts today (10/15) at NYC’s Chelsea Film Festival.

This Screenwork entry is the trailer for the film.

Schwedler directed, co-produced, edited and wrote the adapted screenplay for Now You See Us which is based on the short play “Boom,” written by Barbara Miluski who is also the producer and one of the film’s stars. For the screen version, Miluski made it a point to hire as many talented women as possible, both on set and in postproduction. Not only did she want a female perspective on the topic, but she also saw this as an opportunity to help the ongoing initiative for female representation in the industry.

The film centers on two actresses “of a certain age,” portrayed by Miluski and Caroline Ryburn, who bump into each other at the minuscule waiting area of a casting office located inside a grim, solitary NYC building where an audition is supposed to take place. As the afternoon unfolds, these lifelong rivals begin to realize that they are in the presence of a much larger threat: A society that finds them invisible!

And so the line between fantasy and reality begins to smear, is anyone coming for them? Are they stuck in limbo? And what exactly is wrong with the lights?

Light and its absence are used throughout the film as a symbol for our two ladies feeling invisible to the world around them, as is the use of black and white, and the occasional moonlight-like illumination, the moon being another leitmotif throughout the film.

Now You See Us is the latest addition to a filmography for Schwedler which includes her directorial debut, the spec ad “How A Man Gets Ready” (featured in SHOOT’s 2014 New Directors Showcase), and her first short film The Visit, a psychological drama starring Oscar nominee June Squibb (Nebraska, Shameless) and Sean Maher (Serenity, Firefly).

Credits

Production Romina Schwedler, director, co-producer, editor, writer of adapted screenplay (based on a play by Barbara Miluski); Barbara Miluski, Jonathan Hazan, executive producers; Michelle Polanco, producer/line producer; Danna Kinsky, co-producer; Alan J. Carmona, Bianka WidaKay, Susan Rafter, associate producers; Danna Kinsky, cinematographer; Maca Carrizosa, first assistant director; Ash Knowlton, sound mixer; Mollie Parks, makeup & hair; Mavis Martin, script supervisor; Olivia Kimmel, gaffer; Diana Rodriguez, first camera assistant; Anna Vyaches, Rui Arichika, grips & electrics; Adalina Aladaro, production assistant & BTS photography; Alan J. Carmona, additional photography; Bianca WidaKay, BTS video. Music Itamar Ben Zimra, original score. Sound Design SILVER SOUND Cory Choy, Ash Knowlton, Luke Allen. Color Company 3 Jenny Montgomery, colorist. VFX Eddie Lebron, Shaun Ryan. Cast Barbara Miluski, Caroline Ryburn, Leema Mitchell, Shelly Slovin.

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