Harvest Home (film)
Encyclopedia
"Harvest Home" is a short film written and directed by Austin
filmmaker Craig Whitney and starring Diane Hruska and Scott Bate. The film was produced in 2008 in association with Better Archangel Pictures, and was screened in May 2009 at the Cannes
Short Film Corner.
Inspired by the family chamber dramas of Yasujiro Ozu
and the analytical depictions of modern life in the films of Michelangelo Antonioni
, "Harvest Home" offers a lyrical and plaintive examination of growing old and enduring life’s everyday tragedies in the midst of contemporary society, and the mysterious dichotomy that exists between the tragedy and the banality of our daily misfortunes.
. Mrs. Kern’s children—a successful ophthalmologist and the wife of a busy businessman—have long since moved away to start families of their own, setting aside the traditions of the Jewish faith which she so cherishes for the concerns of daily life.
Tentatively embarking upon her reentry into the world, Mrs. Kern is visited by a cable repairman (Scott Bate), who has come to her house to fix a problem with her reception. Deprived of her lifetime role as both wife and mother, she tries to forge an emotional connection with this stranger—telling stories about her family and bringing him cake and coffee—all in an effort to fill the void left by her recent loss. But unsure of what to make of this unexpected situation, the repairman is at once taken aback and drawn in by the residue of the tragedy that lingers in the home.
Film Festival. West had also previously worked as a second-unit photographer on Austin filmmaker Kat Candler
's feature, Jumping Off Bridges.
Writer and director Craig Whitney said in an interview with Short Film Texas that the tension between Mrs. Kern and the repairman was a key element in "Harvest Home"'s thematic concerns.
The film features a cameo appearance by Music & Entertainment Television VJ Brittany Neighbors, who appears as herself during one scene introducing videos on a TV in the room.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
filmmaker Craig Whitney and starring Diane Hruska and Scott Bate. The film was produced in 2008 in association with Better Archangel Pictures, and was screened in May 2009 at the Cannes
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
Short Film Corner.
Inspired by the family chamber dramas of Yasujiro Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu
was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
and the analytical depictions of modern life in the films of Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
, "Harvest Home" offers a lyrical and plaintive examination of growing old and enduring life’s everyday tragedies in the midst of contemporary society, and the mysterious dichotomy that exists between the tragedy and the banality of our daily misfortunes.
Plot
Emotionally uprooted after the recent death of her husband, Esther Kern (Diane Hruska) is trying to return to normal life after completing her shiva—a weeklong period of family mourning mandated in the Jewish religionJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. Mrs. Kern’s children—a successful ophthalmologist and the wife of a busy businessman—have long since moved away to start families of their own, setting aside the traditions of the Jewish faith which she so cherishes for the concerns of daily life.
Tentatively embarking upon her reentry into the world, Mrs. Kern is visited by a cable repairman (Scott Bate), who has come to her house to fix a problem with her reception. Deprived of her lifetime role as both wife and mother, she tries to forge an emotional connection with this stranger—telling stories about her family and bringing him cake and coffee—all in an effort to fill the void left by her recent loss. But unsure of what to make of this unexpected situation, the repairman is at once taken aback and drawn in by the residue of the tragedy that lingers in the home.
Cast and crew
Harvest Home was produced by Stephanie Huettner and filmed by cinematographer Jameson West, both of whom had previously worked with Whitney on Nick Robinson's film I Am Nick Robinson, which was featured at the 2007 South by SouthwestSouth by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Film Festival. West had also previously worked as a second-unit photographer on Austin filmmaker Kat Candler
Kat Candler
Kat Candler is an American independent filmmaker. She graduated in Creative Writing at Florida State University in 1996 and is now based in Austin, Texas...
's feature, Jumping Off Bridges.
Writer and director Craig Whitney said in an interview with Short Film Texas that the tension between Mrs. Kern and the repairman was a key element in "Harvest Home"'s thematic concerns.
The film features a cameo appearance by Music & Entertainment Television VJ Brittany Neighbors, who appears as herself during one scene introducing videos on a TV in the room.
External links
- Official trailer at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Better Archangel Pictures
- "Harvest Home" press materials