ALBATROSS
“Albatross” is a dark, character-driven, drama, which examines the concept of self (identity, ethnicity and sexual-orientation) in the context of society, while illustrating the compromises individuals are willing to make to feel as though they belong.
Two seemingly separate narratives, spanning some 30 years converge at a dinner party between two newly introduced couples in 1959 New England, revealing that the attendees know much more about one another than they first thought.
STORY
After moving to a new town, a young bi-racial couple, Elizabeth and Thomas Miller, are at a cross-roads: they are childless, and he remains an unpublished writer. After five years of marriage, Elizabeth’s become tired of cutting the checks, while Thomas has grown more reclusive. Consequently, his work has suffered to the point that his publisher has encouraged him to ditch his magnum opus to write a more commercially viable romance.
Carol and Dr. Lloyd Burke have built an imposing façade glorifying the societal ideals of the 1950s; an impressive home, prominent role at the Country Club, and son studying medicine. But, behind closed doors, the couple’s haunted by the cracks in the foundation of their relationship. Despite being represented by an esteemed gallerist, Bertram Fontaine, the failed housewife seeks validation in every encounter. Her husband, practices controversial methods of psychiatric treatment, including dosing patients with LSD.
Through drug-induced memories, a 30-year-old mystery surfaces and reveals Thomas’ racy novel hits a little too close to home. Was this night a coincidence, or were there more sinister intentions?
A NOTE FROM THE WRITER / DIRECTOR
Would you reject a good omen? Would you recognize one when you see it?
Creating a film during the pandemic has been an incredibly rewarding, albeit challenging experience. Not only was I tasked with developing a story that met the requirements of a COVID-free production, but also with writing a film within those constraints that exemplified my aesthetic and beliefs as a filmmaker.
“Albatross” is a deeply personal story that examines timeless issues; race, gender, sexuality and belonging, through a period lens. Conceptually, I am fascinated by the ways we cope with challenging experiences to either grow or stagnate. Social media encourages us to react emotionally to the impact alternate opinions have on our community; it’s become too easy to block an account and categorize others as either fitting within or outside of our own bubble. With “Albatross”, I wanted to go back to a time where differing ideas had to be discussed intellectually. The film is riddled with opposing philosophical perspectives, forcing the characters to question the stability of their respective relationships and consider how the past or future will continue to nurture or deteriorate them. What happens when you can’t leave the dinner table?
Bringing this story from page to screen required the support of a solid cross-border team and cast (I was adamant about tapping into Canada’s rich theatre community). After 12 months of development, production and post, I’m proud to introduce “Albatross”. Please enjoy our film, and my first foray into feature filmmaking.]