Genre
Synopsis
Nestled in the Catskill mountains and stitched together by duct tape and chicken wire is the antiquated farm town of Arcane NY. Park (16), a queer teen, struggles to squeak by with her friends Jason, a fearless, trans cowboy and Hae-Woo, a deaf, Korean wilderness scout.
Park's father abandoned her and her mother when she was just four, leaving behind a void. With a resolve to evade hurt at all costs, she shields herself from vulnerability. Little does she realize, however, that genuine connection necessitates braving the possibility of pain.
Park’s mom, June (45), a brilliant physicist in the tiny town, runs the Mountain Institute of Physics and High Energy Evolution (MIPHEE) on the outskirts of town. June’s research project is the fifth element of physics, the enigmatic Universal Quantum Particle. When June is killed in a suspicious accident at the lab, Park’s worst nightmare comes true, leaving her clinging to control her last bits of emotional stability. Park is forced to ping pong between the two worst possible people left to care for her, Clay (70), her cantankerous, farmer grandfather, who is incredibly critical and Aunt Vee June’s churchy, conservative sister. When Clay's company Syston Energy decides to take over the lab, Park drags Jason and Hae-Woo on a quest to finish her mothers work before it is destroyed.
On a wild journey that reveals more questions than answers the teens try to figure out the connection to the universal quantum particle. In their search, Nia (17) , a new cute ATV riding cowgirl, joins the group and a spark ignites between her and Park. As Park gets closer to figuring out the particle and closer to Nia, Park's confidence grows and a glimmer emerges that connection might be possible both in science and in her life. Park risks a bit of hurt for the possible love that could bloom.
As Clay and Syston work to gain control of the powerful quantum experiment for themselves, the teens race to complete it. However, for Park to complete the experiment, she must confront the daunting prospect of endangering her own safety. In doing so, she grapples with the realization that embracing risk might be the sole path toward attaining the connection she yearns for.
The teens ultimately uncover the ancient connection to element number FIVE, The Universal Quantum particle that connects us all and Park discovers that she cannot have love or connection without the risk of getting hurt.
Bio
Growing up an isolated queer kid in the Catskill mountains, Charlie found solace in her imagination and began storytelling at a young age. An ex-Army sergeant turned Emmy award-winning filmmaker, she won the Audience Award at the ATLFF and Best Doc at LCFF for her documentary, THE FOUNDERS. She followed that film with four award winning short films LIMERENCE, THE LICK, RIDESHARE and THE MOTH. She directed the Emmy winning web series INTERSECTION and most recently she directed network episodes for Discovery and TLC. Her talents aren't confined to the director's chair, she also co-produced and edited MARGARET MITCHELL American Rebel for PBS, the feature film MAN MADE about trans bodybuilders and the short film HOME FIELD which premiered at Tribeca. As a cinematographer she has lensed shows for Magnolia Network, Discovery, Disney, ESPN as well as several short films and a web series. As a writer, her scripts have been selected for Stowe Story lab, Southern Producers lab, Cinestory lab and garnered recognition from Screen Craft and the Austin Film Festival. Beyond her professional achievements, Charlie is a steadfast advocate for the transformative power of storytelling both in practice and in consumption and sees it as a catalyst for profound change and connection within communities.
Awards History
Stowe Story Lab 2022
Southern Producers Lab 2022
