Balston
Directors: Liisa Kaufman and Carson Marie Earnest
Cast:Liisa Kaufman
Crew:Writer: Liisa Kaufman. Producers: Carson Marie Earnest, Mark Ashin, Liisa Kaufman. Director of Photography: Andrew DeNatale. Editor: Anthony Abdo.
Email:liisamkaufman@gmail.com
Synopsis
Rocked out of her insular existence by the bite marks and bristles of a used toothbrush, Balston must make a choice between her safe, superficial existence and accepting who she really is.
Trailer
About the directors
Liisa Kaufman - Liisa Kaufman is a writer, actor, and director based in New York City. Born and raised in Seattle, late light summers fueled her exploration and sense of storytelling. Her work often centers on unearthing the dark parts of ourselves, and the levity that comes when we do. Her work has been featured at the Seattle International Film Festival, Another Hole in the Head, 1.4, Barcelona International Fashion Film Festival, LA’s Rich and Successful Film Festival, and more.
Carson Marie Earnest - Carson Marie Earnest is a New York City-based actor, director, and producer, originally hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the lead producer for Page 8 Pictures, whose most recent projects have been featured at Wyoming International Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival, Santorini Film Festival, Blowup Arthouse Film Festival, and Another Hole in the Head. Carson was featured in the New York Times regarding “Runts," a play in which she starred at the New York Theatre Festival.
Filmmakers' note
Liisa wrote this short in the height of the pandemic. After producing and co-directing it nearly 4 years later, it's clear how much of the loneliness of the time oozes out of it.
Beyond the callback to a lonely time, most of Liisa’s work focuses on accepting who you are, no matter how socially "unacceptable" or distasteful it might seem. The form that self acceptance takes in Balston's story is one that we believe will resonate with *most* people who feel the need to adhere to arbitrary societal constructs. We hope it gives others a sense of freedom and possibility.
- Liisa and Carson