SHARK PARTY MEDIA

Michelle Bossy’s film, Under the Lantern Lit Sky is poised for a festival premiere at the 23rd Brooklyn Film Festival on June 12 at 9pm at Windmill Studios in Brooklyn. The feature-length narrative film is a poetic theatre-film hybrid exploring female trauma, sisterhood, LGBTQ+ issues and ultimately, the sacrifices we make for those we love. This independent art film explores the new marriage of a young couple, who are in different ways, coming to terms with their sexuality.

 

Under the Lantern Lit Sky is a Southern gothic tale of star-crossed lovers. The film begins as Blanche unwittingly marries a gay man. Although it is a period piece, it is a film that resonates with current themes of sexuality, trauma, gender identity, and isolation. The screenplay was written by Jaclyn Bethany, and says Michelle Bossy, “is deeply personal to me, as I married a man who came out recently as a homosexual.”

 

Our main character, Blanche, is a fragile bird desperately searching for love and affection from her husband Allen. When she discloses her assault to her sister, she is shut down; when she questions her husband’s motives, she is gaslit. Through vulnerable storytelling and nuanced performances, Blanche and Allen’s tragic love affair is revealed.  

 

Under the Lantern Lit Sky is Michelle Bossy’s first feature: an independent art film that was shot for under 100K.  Says Bossy, “we shot the film on location in New Orleans, capturing the lush, evocative world of the South.” The cast is comprised of a diverse theater ensemble, highlighted by an original score written by Dalal Bruchmann and Maesa Pullman. As a first-generation Latina woman, whose father was born in Sonora, MX, telling diverse, dynamic stories has always been of the utmost importance to the filmmaker. 

 

About Director, Michelle Bossy:

Michelle Bossy is a Mexican-American director. Michelle’s films have premiered at the Austin Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, Dances with Films, LA Shorts, and the Female Eye Film Festival, among many others.  Her films include: 18, She Grinds Her Own Coffee, The New 35, Friendly Neighborhood Coven, Ladies Lounge, Miracle Baby, Incurable, Klutz, Chance of Showers, and The Trespassed.  Under the Lantern Lit Sky is Michelle’s first feature film.  She directed music videos for Yassou and Brooke Josephson.  Michelle directed the web series There’s a Special Place in Hell for Fashion Bloggers. Michelle has directed theater in off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Website - Instagram - Twitter

 

About Screenwriter, Jaclyn Bethany, “Blanche”:

Jaclyn Bethany is an actress, writer and Emmy award winning filmmaker originally from Jackson, Mississippi. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute. Instagram

 

About Producer, Kerry Vaughn Miller:

Kerry Vaughn Miller combines a background in consulting (Deloitte) and digital product management (American Express, Showtime Networks) with a deep skill set in media production. She has produced award-winning films, websites, photo shoots, events, and everything in between. She also enjoys working as a director, editor, and every-so-often actor. She studied Human Behavioral Biology at Stanford University and started her career reading scripts for Penny Marshall on the SONY lot in Los Angeles. Website 

 

About Cinematographer, Charlie Cole:

Charlie Cole is a proud native of Washington DC, now based out of Los Angeles. Since earning his Master’s Degree in Cinematography from the American Film Institute in 2018, Charlie has lensed four feature films, and over 30 music videos and commercials for artists such as Norah Jones, Chief Keef, Victoria Justice, among others. His approach in cinematography is heavily influenced from his background studying Fine Arts at Pratt Institute and his work has been showcased at Art Basel, Slamdance Film Festival, TED stage, Student Oscars, CAA Moebius, Sigma Cine, among others. Website 

 

About Composers, Maesa & Dalal:

Born and raised in Austria Dalal is a singer, musician and composer currently residing in Los Angeles. Her work spans from classical to Pop Music and together with her composing partner Maesa Pullman she composed the score to Under The Lantern Lit Sky. Website

 

About Christy Escobar, “Stella”:

Christy Escobar has appeared on TV in Blindspot (NBC), Dietland (AMC), Loser Leaves Town (HBO),The Rehearsal (Broadway On Demand). Her film credits include The Man in the Woods, Who We Are Now, Untitled Short Film About White People, The Brick Wall, Anomalous, Viral Beauty, Bright Morning, as well as the upcoming feature filmThe Falling World. New York theater work includes Beginning Days of True Jubilation (SOCIETY Theatre), Scissoring (INTAR), Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train (Atlantic), The Hollow (The Brick), Lady Macbeth and Her Lover (Director's Company), The Artist of the Beautiful (Metropolitan Playhouse), and the legendary Katharine Hepburn in her original solo show Hello, Red!  Regionally, she created the role of Julie in the world premiere of Queen of Basel (Studio Theatre), in addition to Bad Jews (Long Wharf), The Great Gatsby (Virginia Stage Company), Murder on the Nile and Fantastic Mr. Fox (Dorset Theatre Festival), Around the World in 80 Days (Berkshire Theatre Group). She received the New Dramatists Charles Bowden award for her contributions in developing new plays in the American theatre and is a proud member of SOCIETY Theatre. Website 

 

About Devin Kawaoka, “Alan”:

Devin Kawaoka grew up a downhill ski racer in Rochester, New York. He attended New York University, first as an undergraduate and then at the Graduate Acting Program on a full merit scholarship. Soon after graduating, Devin won the Rosemarie Tichler Award for his performance in Unnatural Acts at the Classic Stage Company. On screen you can see him on Goliath, Lucifer, The Manor, American Housewife, Marvel's Runaways, Criminal Minds, Good Trouble,The Path, I Just Want My Pants Back, Surviving Family, The Trouble with Cali, Submission and David Robert Mitchell's Under the Silver Lake. Website

 

About Brooklyn Film Festival:

The organizers of the Brooklyn Film Festival have been staging International, competitive film events since 1998. BFF's mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films; to draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema and to encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking; to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. BFF, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

 

For more info about Under the Lantern Lit Sky’s premiere at the festival, please visit: https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=2346

 

For BFF press inquiries and interview requests with Executive Director Marco Ursino and Festival Programmers, contact: Lisa King, BFF PR Manager, at 646-234-5080 or lisa@wbff.org.