Written and Directed by Li Lu
Produced by Li Lu & Scott Connolly
VOD Platforms available on August 2nd: Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Dish Network, COX, Charter on Demand, Verizon Fios, Sudden Link, Mediacom, Insight, WOW, RCN, Eastlink TV, TELUS, Rogers on Demand and SHAW
IVOD Platforms available on August 2nd: iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, Playstation Store, VUDU, Amazon Video, Microsoft and Hoopla
SYNOPSIS:
Sylvia moved to New York City propelled by her ambitions as an artist. After a tumultuous struggle to find work and inspiration in the big city, she loses all traction when she is abruptly fired from her job. Soon after, Sylvia returns to her hometown of Austin, TX to attend a friend’s wedding. In Austin, Sylvia is comforted as she reconnects with old friends. On the night of her arrival, Sylvia meets Esteban, an electrifying stranger. Charming and vivacious, he reveals his adventurous, unorthodox life. He is about to embark on a road trip, and dares her to leave with him. Eager for a careless adventure, Sylvia agrees. On the morning of the wedding, they speed off toward the jewel cities of the Deep South. As the road grows long and Esteban’s mysterious past comes into light, Sylvia must face the ultimate challenge – to find the strength to fight for her place in the world and stand tall.
FILMMAKER COMMENTS:
I make films in an attempt to understand things that I am curious about. I wanted to show the inner struggles of two lost souls, each at their own stage of disconnection, while reflecting the spirit and landscape of the South. TIANWS aims to capture not only the thrill of love and adventure, but also intense moments of introspection. As a reaction to our frenzied culture where immediacy pervades every facet of our lives, I wanted to make a film that focuses on powerful stillness, unafraid to linger on the precious moments of pause in one’s life. Abundant in passion but lacking in ways to physically manifest it, this story was a way for me to try to understand myself and fight my own self-doubts.
Bound from much outward expression, but free for introspection, my Chinese heritage informed every facet of my approach to storytelling. When viewing the films of Wong Kar Wai or Zhang Yi Mou at a formative age, I realized that I could, in my blood, understand the subtle nuances of their cinema.
So yes, I am a female Chinese American filmmaker and although the current discussions around diversity have been groundbreaking and overdue, there has been an interesting counter-conversation about what stories we “diverse” filmmakers are allowed to tell. Many people look at me and ask, “Why do you want to tell this story about a Caucasian woman and Latino man? I ask, ‘Why not?’ ” Most expect me to only tell stories about Asian Americans, with Asian American actors. I lead color-blind casting sessions and have, amongst other diverse actors, a Latino male lead and a Southeast Asian actress playing a Texan bride-to-be. Must we be punished for going “off the reservation” and be limited to tell one kind of story? Did the world roll their eyes at Ang Lee when he got the gig for Sense and Sensibility? Or can we move on and realize that we bleed the same blood and feel the same emotions?
LI LU – Director/Writer/Producer
Li Lu was born in Suzhou, China and her family moved to the United States when she was five. Daughter of two physicists, Li discovered her passion in visual mediums – first through photography, then ultimately into filmmaking. Raised on all three coasts and graduating high school in Sugar Land, TX, Li received her BA from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating cum laude. Her short films “Autumn” and “Before the Flood” have played festivals around the world such as New York’s Anthology Film Archives, Hong Kong Film Festival, and others. Her music videos have been shown on Nickelodeon, MTV Asia, and many have surpassed 1 million views online. “There Is a New World Somewhere” is her debut feature film. Besides film, Li creates video/installation art. Her latest video piece is currently on tour with musician Benoit Pioulard.
AGNES BRUCKNER
Bruckner was born in Hollywood, California, to a Hungarian father and a Russian mother. She is no stranger to being in front of cameras, having begun acting at the age of twelve. Bruckner broke out in the Sundance film “Blue Car” with David Strathairn, in which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. She captured the title role of Anna Nicole in the critically acclaimed “The Anna Nicole Story” for Lifetime, starring alongside Marin Landau, Virginia Madsen, and Adam Goldberg. Agnes currently stars in the new A&E thriller, “The Returned” opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kevin Alejandro, Sophie Lowe and Sandrine Holt. Her feature film credits include “Murder By Numbers” with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Pitt; “A Bit of Bad Luck” opposite Cary Elwes; “The Baytown Outlaws” with Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria; “Breaking the Girls”; “Blood & Chocolate”; and “The Pact.” Her TV credits include recurring roles on “24,” “Private Practice,” “Covert Affairs,” “The Occult,” and “Hawaii Five-O.”
MAURICE COMPTE
Compte is a Cuban-American actor. Born in New Orleans and raised in Miami, Compte attended SUNY Purchase and began his career with the feature film “The Dream Catcher,” an indie hit and the winner of over 21 awards. His next role was in Julian Schnabel’s critically lauded “Before Night Falls.” Compte went on to appear in acclaimed films such as “All The Real Girls” starring Paul Schneider and Zooey Deschanel, and “Showtime,” starring Robert DeNiro and Eddie Murphy. Compte’s career in television includes starring and recurring roles on “E-Ring,” “CSI,” “24,” “Burn Notice,” “Lie to Me,” and “Southland.” His biggest TV appearance was a story arch on AMC’s hit show “Breaking Bad.” Compte was seen in David Ayers’ box office smash “End of Watch,” starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick, and Michael Peña. His latest film credits include “Search Party,” Scott Frank’s “A Walk Among The Tombstones” starring Liam Neeson, David Ayers’ “Sabotage” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and indie “Echo Park” opposite Mamie Gummer.