Familiar Touch

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Familiar Touch
Familiar Touch.jpg
Promotional poster
Directed by Sarah Friedland
Written bySarah Friedland
Produced by
  • Alexandra Byer
  • Matthew Thurm
Starring
CinematographyGabe C. Elder
Edited by
  • Kate Abernathy
  • Aacharee Ungsriwong
Production
companies
  • Rathaus Films
  • Go for Thurm
Distributed by Music Box Films
Release date
  • September 3, 2024 (2024-09-03)(Venice)
Running time
91 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Familiar Touch is a 2024 American drama film, written, directed, and produced by Sarah Friedland in her narrative feature directorial debut. It stars Kathleen Chalfant, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Andy McQueen and H. Jon Benjamin. It had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2024, where it won the Lion of the Future, and the Orizzonti section Best Director and Best Actress prizes. [2]

Contents

Premise

Billed as a coming of (old) age film, Familiar Touch follows an octogenarian woman (Kathleen Chalfant) as she transitions to life in assisted living contending with her relationship to herself and her caregivers while dealing with cognitive decline. [3]

Cast

Production

Principal photography took place at the Villa Gardens retirement community in Pasadena, California, with residents participating in a filmmaking workshop and acting in the film. [4] [5] Residents made their own biographical films, and only after everyone had been immersed in the experience, they became cast and crew in the feature. Although the film is about dementia, Friedland did not film the residents in the community's memory care wing, due to ethical considerations about their ability to give consent, so some roles (including the lead) were played by professional actors. [6]

Release & awards

Familiar Touch had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2024, in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section, [7] where director Sarah Friedland won the Luigi de Laurentiis Lion of the Future prize for best first film, alongside the Best Director award, while Kathleen Chalfant won the Best Actress award. [8]

In her acceptance speech for the first award, Friedland made a political statement, saying: “As a Jewish American artist working in a time-based medium, I must note, I’m accepting this award on the 336th day of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and 76th year of occupation. I believe it is our responsibility as film workers to use the institutional platforms through which we work to redress Israel’s impunity on the global stage. I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their struggle for liberation.” [8]

In December 2024, Music Box Films acquired distribution rights to the film. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ "Familiar Touch". Venice International Film Festival . Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  2. ↑ Tartaglione, Andreas Wiseman,Nancy (2024-09-07). "Venice Winners: Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Room Next Door' Wins The Golden Lion; Also Wins For Nicole Kidman, Brady Corbet, 'I'm Still Here' & More". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-09-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ Leffler, Rebecca (August 28, 2024). "Memento International moves in for Venice Horizons title 'Familiar Touch' (exclusive)". Screen International . Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (August 30, 2024). "Venice's 'Familiar Touch' Is a Rare Coming-of-Old-Age Character Study — Watch Exclusive Clip". IndieWire . Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Familiar Touch". Women Make Movies . Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ Rizov, Vadim (2023-09-20). "Sarah Friedland - Filmmaker Magazine" . Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  7. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 23, 2024). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: 'Joker: Folie à Deux', Almodovar, Guadagnino, Kurzel, Larrain & More In Competition – Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Israel-Gaza Conflict In Focus At Venice Awards Ceremony As Multiple Winners Voice Support For Palestinian People
  9. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (December 9, 2024). "Music Box Buys Venice Prizewinning Film 'Familiar Touch' Directed by Rising Filmmaker Sarah Friedland (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
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