In The Strangest Of Places - Feature Film

Summary

In The Strangest Of Places is a thought-provoking drama that delves into the life of Stella, a trans woman working as a sex worker in Portland, Oregon. The film offers a raw and intimate glimpse into her world, where her daily struggle for acceptance and safety is a constant battle. Stella, portrayed with depth and vulnerability, navigates the harsh realities of her profession while grappling with her sense of identity.

At the heart of the story is Stella's identity as both a trans woman and a sex worker, which has been skillfully developed to protect herself from emotional connection and intimacy with men. The story intercuts the periods in Stella’s life that build her identity to explore how her defense mechanisms and desires, initially a shield to inflate her ego and lead to self-satisfaction, slowly evolve into barriers that isolate her from genuine connections and finding meaning. As Stella moves through the cool blue minimal atmosphere, neon-lit nights, and shadowy corners of the city, her interactions with the people in her world reveal the diversity of human desires and the profound loneliness and misconceptions surrounding her existence.

The film's core theme centers on the complex interplay between identity, desire, and these defense mechanisms. It poignantly illustrates how the very tools Stella employs to prevent harm also contribute to her emotional and psychological suffering. In other words, “the defenses we use to protect ourselves often end up killing us.” Her journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the quest for true acceptance, both from others and within herself.

In The Strangest Of Places is a powerful narrative that challenges societal norms and invites the audience to look beyond stereotypes. It's a story of struggle but also of hope and the relentless pursuit of one's true self in a world that often turns a blind eye to spiritual needs in favor of shallow materialism.

Why Now? Why This Movie?

Because we’re going through a chaotic period of change, seek honest and thought-provoking art that helps us make sense of the chaos to find balance and growth.

We’re living in a time where the social systems (religion, marriage, monogamy, etc.) that provided order for so long have lost power. The result is greater individual freedom to pursue one’s desires rather than collective goals. Individualistic desire isn’t inherently bad. Without desire, there’s no direction or purpose to life. Yet, when we’re out of balance, we tend to attach too much meaning to desire, believing that if we get what we want, we’ll be able to find permanent relief from what causes us to suffer.

Story is the art form that reminds us that this isn’t true. Obtaining what we want doesn’t make us feel fulfilled because desire is rooted in protection mechanisms from our past trauma. We want what we believe will prevent suffering and, in pursuit, distract ourselves from coming to terms with our past wounds, forgiving those who may have been responsible, learning from them, and accepting the pain as an important part of our experience.

Unhealed trauma, especially throughout our adolescence, can lead us to form our identity around a specific set of desires, which can harbor our defenses and lead to behavior that prevents us from obtaining what we truly need. In other words, some methods we use to protect ourselves from suffering can directly cause us to suffer.

In The Strangest Of Places is an exploration of the role that unhealed trauma plays in suffering. It’s designed to guide us to find meaning in NOT doing something rather than doing something we want. This spiritual guidance and practice system helps us balance our instinctual desires with spiritual growth to remain healthy and functional and focus on what truly matters in life: the connection we have with others and our environment.

Unique Mood & Tone

The film's tone is meticulously crafted to highlight the profound journey of finding beauty and significance amidst suffering. This is achieved by starkly contrasting the gritty, raw realities of the characters' experiences and the film's visually stunning, naturalistic cinematography. The visual narrative oscillates between shadows, soft sunlight, and a tranquil blue ambiance, complemented by a deeply resonant and melancholic string score. This cinematographic approach is designed to reframe the concept of self-destruction, not merely as an act of eradication but as a transformative process of deconstructing an old identity to forge something new and meaningful. Authenticity is at the heart of this portrayal, achieved through casting genuine individuals and filming in real, natural settings, ensuring a true-to-life representation of the character's struggles and triumphs."

A Low Budget Film With A Unique & Well Known Cast

We have strategically chosen to cast prominent adult film actors and actresses, a decision driven by the film's subject matter and budget considerations. These performers are not only familiar faces but also bring a distinct level of recognition that is expected to draw in audiences. Their involvement is more than just a casting choice; it harnesses their substantial fan base and public profile to generate excitement and anticipation for the film. By featuring these well-known personalities, we aim to attract their existing followers, who are keen to see them in an unconventional, dramatic role. This tactic not only aids in marketing the film effectively but also resonates with the film's core themes. The actors and actresses' connection to the film's subject matter lends authenticity and depth to their performances. We anticipate that their participation will appeal to indie film enthusiasts and their dedicated fans, significantly extending the film's reach and potential impact."

What We Need & What You Get

We are actively seeking financial contributors who resonate with the vision and potential of our film. Contributions are welcomed within any range of money, and every contribution will play an instrumental role in bringing our distinctive narrative to life on screen. Funds raised will be allocated towards production expenses, supplementing our personal investment and funds from angel investors.

Other Ways You Can Help

Beyond financial contributions, we're eager to collaborate with partners capable of enhancing our film's marketing efforts or offering essential production resources, including unique filming locations, legal guidance, accounting services, and more. Both financial investments and in-kind resource contributions are pivotal to realizing the potential of our film.

We sincerely thank you for considering our project and for the time you've taken to understand our vision. Your belief in our project and your willingness to support it in any capacity could be the turning point that enables us to share our unique story with a wide audience. We are excited about the possibility of working together and are ready to provide any additional information you may require.