Completely Normal, a dark romantic comedy helmed by first-time feature film director Robert Vornkahl, has continued its successful festival run with a pair of accolades at Ohio’s Indie Gathering Film Festival, and selections at The Chain NYC Film Festival, New York’s Kingston Film Festival, and Vermont’s Middlebury Film Festival. The film was awarded Best Romantic Comedy at Ohio’s Indie Gathering, where Vornkahl also picked up a Best Director nomination, and leads Seth Kirschner and Jenny Grace have been nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress. Completely Normal screens at the Chain NYC Film Festival on August 12th, at the Kingston Film Festival on August 15th, at The Indie Gathering on August 29th; with a screening date to be determined for the Middlebury Film Festival, which takes place August 27th – 30th.
The movie stars Seth Kirschner (30 Rock, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater) as Greg, an obsessive but awkwardly lovable stalker-type who becomes enamored with Gwen, a 20-something maid who suffers from multiple personality disorder, played by Jenny Grace (Producing Juliet, Summertime in New York). Whitney Kimball Long (The Intern, The Girl’s Guide To Depravity), who previously worked with Vornkahl on the horror comedy short Frank and Barry, plays Gwen’s overprotective sister, Liz.
The film takes an inventive approach to portraying the alternate personalities of Gwen, with Geneva Carr, nominated for Best Actress at 2015 Tony Award for her performance in “Hand to God”, as Mary, Gwen’s confident, sexy alter ego; and pro wrestler / punk singer, Jym Parella, as Dylan, the dark and protective side of Gwen’s personality. Rounding out the cast are veteran actors Kate Hodge (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III) as Gwen’s therapist Dr. Hunter, and Mark Hamlet (Mona Lisa’s Smile, The Guru) as Greg’s well meaning but ill-advising father.
Completely Normal had an efficient shoot on a tight schedule, with production lasting three weeks in December of 2013, and was shot throughout the neighborhoods of Queens, New York. Vornkahl kept his onset crew small, including producers Andrew Beguin and Molly Beitchman, mixer Brian Yost, and cinematographer Brian Harnick, all of whom have previously worked together on the Food Network series Chopped. A 2006 graduate of Hofstra University’s film program, Vornkahl assembled a large chunk of his pre and post production teams with his fellow alumni, bringing together co-writers Heather Davis, Paul DeKams, and Chris Vespoli; editor Mike Api, producer John Rebecchi, composers David Beede and Andy McCarthy; and costume designer Danielle Lemay, who also appeared in a small role as Julie, a cat-loving receptionist at Greg’s office. Colorist Gene Curley (Garbage Dreams, Wildlife) of Nice Shoes worked with Vornkahl to finalize the stark look of the film, showcasing a depressing side of Queens that is only ever brightened by Greg’s breaks with reality.
Completely Normal was previously honored at New York's Metropolitan Film Festival, where it won Best Narrative Feature. The film also screened at the Hoboken International Film and premiered at Indiana's Alhambra Theatre Film Festival where its star Seth Kirshner was nominated for best actor.
About Completely Normal
Written and directed by Robert Vornkahl, Completely Normal, is a awkwardly dark, romantic comedy set in Queens, New York. The film follows two very strange people. Greg (Seth Kirschner), a hopelessly awkward romantic who takes things a bit too far in his mind and in real life, he could be described by some (perhaps all) as a stalker. Gwen (Jenny Grace), is a young woman trying to survive in New York City as a cleaning woman. Her personality disorder leaves it hard to accomplish most things, or even consider a love life. Greg spots Gwen on the subway and is immediately smitten. Gwen doesn’t realize it yet, but she has a very secret admirer. http://completelynormalmovie.com
