Shady Grove

USA
1996, 1 6mm, B&W, 86 min.

Director: Christian Moore
Producer: Amy Grappell
Executive Producer: Michael Young
Cinematographers: Mott Hupfel, Kisark Hwang
Editors: Eva llona Brzeski, Christian Moore
Screenwriters: Christian Moore, Amy Grappell
Music: Tim Kerr, Eric Friend, Alfred "Snuff" Johnson
Principal Cast: Richard "Dicko" Mather, Amy Grappell, Jubal Clark, Clarence Hollimon

Nowhere Texas. Zak (Richard Mather) and Louise (Amy Grappell) live in a trailer set against the vast emptiness of the plains. Zak washes dishes by day and spends his free time playing backup in various blues and country jams. It's a simple life, but a satisfying one. At least, it's enough to keep Jack happy. Trouble is, Louise is very unsatisfied. She suggests they visit her girlfriend in New York, and Jack reluctantly agrees. But he misses their flight and Louise takes off alone. By the time he catches up with her at New York's Chelsea Hotel, Louise wants nothing to do with him. So Zak tools around the city and spends some time with a hooker (Line Haltman) in drunken conversation. Eventually, Zak and Louise are reconciled, but it's a listless reunion. As the sounds of the city drift through the window of their hotel room, one can almost hear the voices in their head asking just how far you can get on a suitcase full of dreams. Filled with beautiful magic realist touches, Christian Moore's debut feature is "a low key comedy very much in the minimalist mode of early Jim Jarmusch." (Variety)