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Dominic Zamprogna stars as Robert Westfield, a grieving man who finds solace in the presence of his wife (Danielle Rayne) and daughter (Julie Romano) in the moments before he has to eulogize his mother.

Starring Dominic Zamprogna,

Danielle Rayne, and Julie Romano

 

Written, Directed, and Edited by Nate Hapke

Produced by Rosie Grace and Sophia Zach

DoP Dana Fytelson

Costume Design by Rosie Grace

Production Design by Zachary B. Friedman

Score by Caleb Parker

Production Sound by Brandon Walz

UPM Julia Balayan

1st AD Lexx Truss

Script Supervisor Nina Leonard

Hair and Make Up by Michele Miguel

Gaffer Mario Hurtado

Artist’s Statement:

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I am also a firm believer in using writing as a catharsis for emotional pain. 

 

There was a period in 2018 where I would have these day (dreams) nightmares; no matter where I was, I'd be hit with the image of my mother on her death bed. Vulnerability and fear on her face in a way I'd never seen before. Days later, it was Dominic Zamprogna's last day at General Hospital and he leaned into me and said "send me something, I just want to play." And then it clicked; extrapolate out myself down the road when my mother has just passed away, I've seen this face, I've lost her, and I'm here in this impossible situation of being tasked with a finite period of time to eulogize her. What would I say? What would I need? 

 

The words flowed. I sent it to Dom, and he was in "for a million reasons." At the time, I had no idea about his own mother's recent passing. There was a very real, very tangible, very emotional connection that we both had to this piece. 

 

The original name for the project was Imperfect. I had briefly also considered Fallible.

 

Next came the role of the wife. I worked with Danielle Rayne on One More in 2017 and absolutely loved the experience. I had been meaning to write something new for her, and was simply looking for the right fit. I sent her the character breakdown and she was in.

 

From this project in particular, I've learned never to decide definitively on a title before finishing the script. Fallible and Imperfect worked initially because I wanted to explore the idea of that moment when you have to accept the fact that your parents are not perfect, that they make mistakes, and that they're human. As this script was revised, I decided to use a phrase that was very near and dear to me in "To the moon and back" as a through line for the main character's relationship with his mother and then with his daughter. I decided to change the title right then and there. 

 

After making the announcement of the title change, I get a message from Danielle saying that it was fate. That phrase was something she had said to a loved one who had just recently passed. I had no choice but to smile.

 

Julie Romano is a talented actress that I've been wanting to work with for years. I was so thrilled when the role of Freddi Westfield needed a zealous, wise beyond her years actress. Julie was perfect for Freddi. What I didn't know was that she was incredibly close to her grandmother who is also no longer with us. The scene where she's talking about her grandmother's smile, and great memories with her rang true. She wore some of her actual grandmother's jewelry in the film, playing a grieving granddaughter. It was meant to be. 

The Film

Theatrical Trailer

Production Stills

Premiere Photos

Question & Answer Following World Premiere

Featuring Stars Dom Zamprogna, Danielle Rayne, Julie Romano & Writer/Director Nate Hapke

Moderated by Actress/Host Niya Wright

Question & Answer Following Festival Premiere

Official Selection - Film Invasion LA 2020

Featuring Stars Dom Zamprogna, Danielle Rayne, Julie Romano, 

Writer/Director Nate Hapke & Producer Rosie Grace

Moderated by Film Invasion LA Festival Director  Jeff Howard

Articles in the Media

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Soap Digest
Digital Journal
Michael Fairman
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Laurels/Screenings/Awards

Winner - Best Actor - Dominic Zamprogna - Master Craftsman Runner Up - The Golden Hour Film Festival 2021
Winner - Best Cinematography - Dana Fytelson - Master Craftsman Runner Up - The Golden Hour Film Festival 2021

Winner - Best Ensemble Films Director - Nate Hapke- LA Live Film Festival 2020

Winner - Best Ensemble Cast - Trinity International Film Festival 2020

Official Selection - The Golden Hour Film Festival 2021

Honorable Mention - Rock the Shorts Film Festival 2021

Official Selection - LA Live Film Festival 2020

Official Selection - Trinity International Film Festival 2020

Official Selection - Film Invasion Los Angeles 2020

World Premiere at Downtown Independent, Los Angeles, CA 11/2/19

Chosen to screen in the fourth season of Discover Indie Film Series on Amazon Prime. The film appears in Episode 9 of the series' fourth season. Click on either image below to watch the episode or the entire series now!

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Season 4, Episode 9
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