Steph
Green learned how to make films at Northwestern University and University
College Dublin and then went on to work as Spike
Jonze’s assistant while he was planning “Where the Wild Things Are”. She credits him as one of her mentors. Her script for “Run & Jump” was co-written with Ailbhe Keogan and was
selected for the Sundance Screenwriting labs and Berlinale Script
Station. Steph was born in San Francisco and currently divides her time
between Los Angeles and Dublin, Ireland. “Run & Jump” is her debut feature film and will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival
2013.
What it’s about: “Run & Jump” follows Vanetia Casey (Maxine Peake), the spirited and
impossibly optimistic center of the Casey family, who’s struggling to
get life back to normal after her 38 year-old husband, Conor (Edward Macliam), suffers a rare stroke which changes his personality. Entering
the emotional fray is buttoned-up American doctor, Ted Fielding, (Will
Forte) who arrives in Ireland to stay with them for two months: his
research grant providing the Caseys with essential financial aid.
Vanetia’s a dynamo, but with two young kids and both men in the house,
she’s feeling bombarded and initially treats Ted and his study of Conor
with resistance. Only when she observes Ted’s calming influence on the
family does she begin to value his friendship, and, in return, Ted
enjoys her heady, happy-go-lucky world. But Ted’s continued presence
in the house sets the family on course for an emotional collision.
What else should audiences know?: “This is not a story about a
man adjusting to life after a stroke. This is a story about a woman
and family adjusting to a new husband and father. Ailbhe, the co-writer, had some real life experiences to draw from while
we were working on the script. Her dad sustained a head injury so, in
her household there was an old and new, a before and after. This lends
an authenticity to the film and the way the Casey’s circumstances are
drawn. All this is happening under the microscope of a complete
stranger. Dr. Fielding and Vanetia’s story is a poignant allegory about
new friendships developing mid-life born of mutual stagnation and
curiosity. Their relationship is gentle and realistic, developing in
shy stages, and never self-serving. This is a type of ‘romance’ we
don’t often see on screen.”
On the challenges: “Other than the typical challenge of financing, our two other major
challenges were a house hunt, and the Irish weather. Over 75 percent of
the movie takes place in and around a house. We needed a house big
enough to shoot in, but small enough to be quaint. The weather in Ireland is never great but we had an unseasonably cold
& wet summer to contend with. This meant that sunny scenes turned
into rainy scenes and a jump into the ocean became a very uncomfortable
experience for our actors. They all handled it with courage through
their chattering teeth.”
What she hopes audiences will walk away with: “This movie is Will Forte’s dramatic debut, and he delivers a subtle and
powerful performance. It’s also a chance for American audiences to have
more exposure to the incredible British actress Maxine Peake. Not to
mention Edward MacLiam, a fantastic Irish actor who is now working in
the US. The kids in the film are irresistible. I hope Tribeca
audiences come away feeling a sense of discovery upon seeing these
performances and performers. I hope they enjoy being transported to
Ireland to observe this family, and I hope they are moved by the story,
which is poignant and truthful.”
What’s next: “I have scripts in development with The Irish Film Board and
some projects brewing in the US. I’m adapting Jonathan Lethem’s Novela
“Girl in Landscape” into a screenplay. It’s a coming-of-age
western-style film set in the future on a new planet.”
Indiewire invited Tribeca Film Festival directors to tell us about
their films, including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and
what they’re doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up
to the 2013 festival.
Keep checking HERE every day up to the launch of the festival on April 17 for the latest profiles.
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