Beyond the Short Official Premiere

Longtime couple Adam and Loli are addicted to Nostalgia, a drug that allows them to re-experience memories in lucid clarity. When they discover they both are having affairs and using the drug to recall times they were unfaithful, they vow to get clean from their past in hopes of a future. But when they take things too far, there’s no going back. Loli overdoses on Nostalgia, leaving her in a blackout that wipes her memory. Without any recollection of who Adam is anymore, Loli is finally able to leave the toxic relationship.

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FROM THE DIRECTOR:

“When we cling to the past, it's difficult to see a future.

For many, nostalgia is an addiction. When we escape into memories rather than facing reality, a fog obscures our hope for what can come. This cycle ensnares Adam and Loli, a couple unable to face the pitfalls of their failing relationship. Only when they try to get clean can they embark on the odyssey of moving forward.

I was an addict of nostalgia. Stuck in a seven-year abusive relationship, I clung to ghosts of my innocent teenage love.

And my father was an addict of nostalgia. Debilitated by my mother leaving him, he suffered severe amnesia. His present life melted away as he focused only on what he lost.

'How can I visually realize the role of memory in relationships?' I wondered, and the tale of MIRAGE sparked to life.

With loved ones bound to meth and alcohol addictions, first hand experience reviving overdoses, and a background studying neuroscience at Johns Hopkins, I sought to capture the seemingly endless cycle of addiction in the fantastical drug of Nostalgia.

Making MIRAGE saved me. It helped me find beauty in the ugly. It helped me face what I was ignoring. It helped me find the light of the doorway out. For my audience, I wish the same.”

-Elizabeth S. Acevedo

CREDITS:

Cast

Loli// Dylan Gelula

Adam// Devon Bostick

Peaches// Jordan Knapp

Jesse// Jackson Linn

Solange// Sharron Shayne

MIRAGE

A HEADLESS DUCKIE production

with ONE & OTHER PRODUCTIONS

in association with BRICKHEAD

A film by Elizabeth S. Acevedo

Producers//

Elizabeth S. Acevedo

Daniel Beracha

Skylar Carano Carroll

Maya Moravec

Peter Gold

Casting// Zoey Burger, Izzie Nadah, Alexa Pereira

Original Score// Henry Giebler

Associate Producers// Santosh Govindaraju, Izzie Nadah, Salonee Ferrao, Al Valhouli, Adrian Sobrado, Dorothy Valhouli, Alexander R Valhouli, Gabrielle DuBrul, Loie Acevedo, Ann Ziff, Cristina Von Bargen, Phoebe Smolan

Editing// Carter B. Linsley

Assistant Director// Theo Franccoci

Stunt Coordinator// Marcus Young

Production Design// Alicia Ho

1st Assistant Camera// Seth Lawrence

2nd Assistant Camera// Andrew Vera

Steadicam Operator// Dylan Burzinski

Gaffer// Heath Gresham

Grip// Jon Brooker

Sound// Phillip Le Gault

Hair & Makeup// Jordyn Maresh

Wardrobe// Jordan Hartmann

Script Supervisor// Carissa McQueen

Production Assistants//

Jaemen Topalian

Sasha Bottita

Air Limpin

Jennifer Espinoza

2nd Unit AD// Catrin Ody

2nd unit DP// Sam Smith

2nd unit PA// Nyah Juliano

Loli’s Double// Kenzie Wilkin

2nd Unit Sound// Connor Burns

Supervision Sound Editor// Tristan Baylis

Co-Supervising Sound Editor// Tom Baylis

Folley// Peter Russel

DI Colorist// Katie Jordan

Director of Photography// Corey C. Waters

Executive Producer// Dr. Pradeep Atluri

Special Thanks//

Mom, Laurel Devore

Dad, Alexander Acevedo

Sister, Nini Acevedo

Bob DeVore & Dot Valhouli, Zaza Acevedo, Audrey Angel, Mark Voelpel, Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Gilford, Jakob Sirota, Rick Smolan, Vincent Peters, Mark Goodman, Check Seed and Spark, Loli Roosevelt, Chandra Greer, Susan Davidon, David Bernstein, Susan and Jean Christophe Le Picart, James Mahedy, Desert DeVore Family, Mateo Graziosi, Guy Regal, Carmel Maglalang, Russel Debra, Colin Devore, Xavier Griffifths, Doug Ellen, Louisa Harrison, Alexandra Maddrell, Julie Salles Schaffer, Robert Vicad, Xavier Flouret, Ryan Misler, Spencer Chandler, Pamela Moschetti, Emmanuel Sharp, Monika McLennan, Laetitia Ohayon, Brynn E Beckner, Alix Jean & Perrachon, Lisa Larson, Stephen Snavely, Julia Bator Charles, Jonas Kirkegaard, Noah Blau, Charlie Herbert, Lauren Marx, Cynthia Hoffecker, Mina, Theresa