MERV

Narrative Feature 

Writer |Director
Simonee Chichester
Stage 
Final Script -- Packaging & Polishing 

At 59-years-old, Merv loses his job and his wife of 37-years in the same week. While struggling to redefine himself after a lifetime of routine, change rears its head in the shape of an unusual friendship with an optimistic co-worker from Cuba and in a surprising chemistry with a vivacious, sometimes brassy younger woman from next door.

This screenplay was the 2012 Women in Film & Television Kodak New Vision Mentorship award winner.

White picket fence

Narrative Feature

Writer|Director 
Simonee Chichester
Stage
First Draft

In Pôrto Ferrão, a poverty-ridden rural area of Brazil, Téresa is one of twelve children born to hardworking illiterate parents. Téresa dreams of a better life but when her father, the sole breadwinner of the family, dies Téresa's schooling is abruptly brought to a halt and  she's forced to drop out, move to the of Sáo Paulo and take a job as a nanny and housecleaner. A striking beauty, she soon meets Neville, a handsome, charismatic, English speaking aspiring photographer who shares her dreams for something better. A man of colour, Neville is struggling to rise above the low standards oppressed onto him.  He plans to leave Brazil and tempts Téresa with the promise of a better life in USA. Its 1973 when  they immigrate to America, and heightened by the reality of barely knowing one another, they face common adversities in a new land. Neville masks his dark past with alcohol and affairs while Téresa tries  reconcile the loss of her childhood and her desire to be taken care of. To move forward and redirect their futures powerfully, they must face the demons of their past – all of which are now fronted by their white picket fence.