Buttercup's Lament is an animated short film in development, written by Julie Weinberg with concept art from Casa Cocuyo, with Kendra Williford as Art Director and Justin Chapman as a co-producer.
Two New York City cats, Buttercup and Henri, are stuck inside with their human Mom, Reena, during NY’s lockdown. Reena is a young singer who is determined to stick it out in New York. She has never interacted with her neighbor Michael, an aging, Black torch singer who has already been a recluse for years following the loss of his life partner. The clueless felines go on a quest for treats but when they realize that Mom may be in danger from a monster outside, they have to prioritize protecting her above their taste buds. Through their antics, the cats inadvertently bring these two lonely souls together and learn a life lesson of their own.
Julie Weinberg wrote Buttercup’s Lament while she had COVID as a ten-minute play which seemed like a natural subject for an animated film. We want this film to serve in part as a historical record of the pandemic and how people, especially New Yorkers, came together to persevere. We think the characters' experience is universal regardless of a person’s identity and background.
From Julie:
"The US Surgeon General has recently announced that we are in the midst of a new pandemic of isolation and loneliness. I see hope for us all through connecting with one another but sometimes that can feel impossible. In my experience, our pets are an easy way to begin a conversation with a stranger, and any pet owner can relate to Reena’s life with these cats. Michael and Reena’s connection and new friendship is what we hope to inspire in our viewers."
Check out the pitch deck for our project below. We are sharing it with potential collaborators — and with you — so everyone involved can get a feel for what the film will be like. To make a tax-deductible donation to our project, click the link above! It will help us bring this story to life and pay the artists involved for their stunning work!
Thanks for your support! Visit julieweinbergplaywright.com/buttercup and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @buttercupslament for more insights into our process!
