Hello!

Our movie BEN AND SUZANNE, A REUNION IN 4 PARTS will...

WORLD PREMIERE...

At SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST...

In the NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION!

🤯 🥳

This project has been financed in true indie fashion (the director/producer obliterating his savings account, friends and family coming on board as executive producers). We shot this movie in Sri Lanka in July 2023 -- as soon as the strike began (thank you SAG-Aftra for the interim agreement that allowed us to continue filming)! 

We've managed to complete the movie with the amount we've raised but now we're looking to you to help us cross the finish line!

We are looking to $30,000 to cover the remaining services:

Thank you for supporting a true, indie DIY movie! 

Ben Santhanaraj journeys to Sri Lanka to rekindle his relationship with Suzanne Hopper, an American NGO worker, after a long separation. But when Suzanne's boss demands she work during their vacation, their love is tested by a dilemma: desire versus duty. As Suzanne struggles with the responsibilities of her job, Ben tries everything to revive their intimacy, leading to candid conversations and chaotic twists as New Year’s Eve - and Ben’s departure - looms ahead.

The movie is a standalone, but is part of a series of films that revolve around these characters and the intricacies of a long-distance relationship called THE TOURISTS CYCLE, which can be viewed here.

From the moment of its inception through production this film has been a testament to true independent spirit, bold vision and a whole lot of faith! The film is a story of two people and the question of whether distance jeopardizes passion. Like many people longing for connection in a growing technologically sterile world, our movie brings us back to what we love about the movies: the magic of a fun rom-com without cynicism. 

In a world of microwave satisfaction and so many questions and concerns around the state of movies, our film is a true DIY independent feature that stands as a reminder of what makes movies special in the first place. Our creative team is a community of debuts (from director and cinematographer to our beautiful partners and local Sri Lankan crew! Shoutout to Vision Works LK) and we’re all excited to see this film reach the finish line. In response to an industry that so often feels impenetrable, making this project was a true collaborative effort recalling the indie films of yore made on faith, tenacity, and the generosity of friends and families (no financing partners or production companies were involved). 

Despite the odds we worked relentlessly to keep faith alive culminating in this incredible adventure of a movie. Spanning a decade, this feature is the conclusion of a series of films all with the same lead actors: Sathya Sridharan and Anastasia Olowin. And now we’re starting this next chapter by going to Austin and sharing this wild ride of a movie with the greater creative community and the people that make movies worth making!

The movies on my mind while making it.

And what we ended up with could be described as...

Sathya Sridharan - Ben Santhanaraj

Sathya Sridharan is a New York based actor and writer known for his lead role in Eric Schultz’s sci-fi thriller MINOR PREMISE, co-lead role in Academy Award Nominee Milcho Manchevski's BIKINI MOON, starring Tony Award Nominee Condola Rashad, and his leading role in the short film DASTAAR (2016 SXSW Film Festival, Short of the Week). He was also featured opposite Academy Award winner Brenden Fraser in Darren Aronofsky’s film, The Whale, produced by A24. His television credits include KALEIDOSCOPE (Netflix), LITTLE AMERICA (AppleTV), BLINDSPOT (NBC), BLACKLIST (NBC), MADAM SECRETARY (CBS), and SUCCESSION (HBO). He appeared on Broadway in the American premiere of the Tony Award winning production of Life of Pi, directed by Max Webster. 

Anastasia Olowin - Suzanne Hopper

Anastasia Olowin is a Brooklyn-based actor and producer. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she holds a B.F.A. from New York University, where she studied at the Experimental Theatre Wing. She has also trained at the Moscow Art Theatre and the American Conservatory Theater. In New York, she has performed at multiple venues including New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre For a New Audience, Abrons Arts Center, Soho Rep's Walker Space, HERE Arts Center, TheaterLab, LaMama Experimental Theatre Club, The Brick, and The Bushwick Starr.

Shaun Seneviratne - Writer, Director, Producer
https://www.shaunseneviratne.com/ 

Shaun Seneviratne is a writer and director of emo movies. He teaches at the Brooklyn STEAM Center, co-hosts Rohmercast, and runs Redacted Screenings. He’s based in New York City.

Doron JéPaul Mitchell - Producer
www.doronjepaul.com/ 

Doron JéPaul is a creative architect, actor, producer and writer based out of New York City. His production company Thermostat Media tells innovative, faith centered and thought-provoking stories producing for television, film and theater. Doron is known for his Broadway debut in Aaron Sorkin’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD opposite Jeff Daniels and in LaTanya Richardson-Jackson’s directorial debut of THE PIANO LESSON starring Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks and John David Washington. His upcoming projects include, SELF//TAPE (Writer and Producer with Cinereach LTD) as well as the upcoming pilot sitcom, CLOSE TALKERS (Producer in association with Alto Entertainment.) Doron serves as a creative producer and script consultant with clientele ranging from New York, LA, and the greater Southwest region.

Molly Scotti - Cinematographer
https://mollyscotti.com/ 

Joe Violette - Editor
https://www.joeviolette.com/ 

Jake D’Ambra - Composer
https://www.jakedambra.com/ 

Keith Jensen - Colorist
http://keithjensen.com/ 

Alex Uriati - Sound Editorial
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7208064/ 

Andre Kelman - Sound Mixer
https://www.andrekelman.com/ 

Christine Kecher - Costumes, Life Support
https://www.nytimes.com/column/op-docs

Vision Works LK - Sri Lanka Production Services
https://www.visionworkslk.com/