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Original Film Title: First Refusal
Director’s Name: Courtney Sanello
Writer’s Name: Courtney Sanello
Producer: Courtney Sanello
Country of Origin: United States
Country of Filming: United States
Language: English
Runtime: 7 minutes 45 seconds
Film Description:
In the surreal world of First Refusal, we follow the emotional journey of a young girl who grapples with grief, forced to confront the pain of loss head-on.
Burdened by the recent passing of her beloved brother, she is haunted by the memories of their shared past, all within a unique sanctuary of her own design– a memory palace where she has trapped her brother’s spirit. Within this ethereal realm, the boundaries of reality blur as she relives cherished moments they once shared.
However, cracks soon appear in her creation, and the line between reality and her memories start to blur. Is she reliving cherished moments or keeping her brother against his will?
In a series of surreal visuals that ebb and flow like a fever dream, we follow them on exploration of grief’s complexity. They gradually come to realize an important truth: in order to truly heal and find solace, they must learn to let go.
Driven by evocative imagery, raw performances, and a hauntingly beautiful original music score that matches the dreamlike quality of the film’s atmosphere, First Refusal takes us on a journey that confronts the natural impermanence of life.