Genre
Synopsis
300 acres of land, several miles of fenceline, 60 head of cattle, 15 horses, 6 barn cats, 1 dog; all held together by widowed Sam. Sam is 71, and his aging body is barely keeping up with the multitude of tasks it takes to maintain his ranch. As Sam’s body aches and slows, the changing climate threatens the livelihood of the land. When Sam learns his ranch is denied water rights for the year, he is forced to sell off his entire herd because the land will not sustain them. Stubborn in his independence and in denial of his limitations, Sam proceeds to move his livestock on his own. When an unexpected accident occurs, Sam’s daughter, Jade, arrives just in time to save him from a worse fate. Jade works as a registered nurse miles away from the ranch, and constantly fears for her father’s well-being. Sam shares with her his dilemma and she springs into action to support his shutting down operation. Jade reenters ranch life with ease, while a recovering Sam watches on, ashamed of his inability to participate and devastated at facing this new era. Jade and Sam butt heads throughout her visit: neither of them willing to hold space for their varying points of view. As Jade continues to push through caring for her father and shuttling the cattle, she understands the deep sorrow and loss Sam feels. Not only did he lose his wife, but because of the declining climate, he can’t even save the ranch they both loved. Jade invites her father on a morning horseback ride as a peace offering to revel in the beauty of the ranch. Things will be different for them and the land, but they just might be okay so long as they have each other.
Bio
Originally from Colorado, Chelsea Christer is an award-winning director based in San Francisco. She has traveled the world, producing and directing brand documentaries and commercials for companies like Google, Adobe, HP, and Dolby. These productions have taken her all across the US and abroad to places like Tokyo, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Sydney, and rural India. As both a documentary filmmaker and scripted narrative writer/director, Chelsea’s work in each discipline focuses on deeply human stories; character studies that show moments of growth, reflections on identity, and stories of the sacrifice that can come with following a dream. She’s directed two fiction short films (We’re Just Like You, 2010, and Sierra, 2012). Both have screened at multiple festivals domestic to the US and internationally in Scotland and Australia. Her first feature-length film, the music documentary Bleeding Audio (2020), is an eight-time award winning film, screening at over 17 festivals worldwide including Slamdance, Cinequest, Dances With Films and more. Bleeding Audio secured distribution and is available on VOD.
Awards History
Shore Short Film Fund 2024 - Semifinalist
Credits
Actor - Lily Harris
Actor - Ed Harris
Producer - Clinton Trucks
