Broken Side of Time

When I saw this movie at a festival in NYC last year I left deeply appreciative of how this production truly takes great advantage of the medium to do more than tell a story, but to leave a visceral impression, an experience of a lifestyle I knew very little about. Lynn Mancinelli's Dolce, an Alt model, is on a personal road to change, and the narrative is compelling (helped by an expert, understated performance by Mancinelli)- but what makes the film different most of all is how it somehow, by the time the film comes to its peaceful close, creates in the viewer the sensation of having experienced what it might like to be photographed so many times in one's life, in one's career - and how the clicking and flashing becomes a kind of battery. The beauty of the result of the photography is for the unknowing, anonymous viewer - but this film gets you inside the subject of such photography - not only on a level of empathy, but somehow, and I still can't really articulate how, on an internal level. I felt like I experienced something ironic, and that Bechard and these storytellers do a real service by bringing the unbeautiful hustle and poison in such an industry to the forefront. I like learning something about things when I watch a movie- and this really surprised me in a good way.

"Broken Side of Time" was an interesting little project by Gorman Bechard. It follows veteran model Dolce (Lynn Mancinelli) on a road trip to her home, stopping at different places along the way for various types of photoshoots. She is leaving the modeling business, and she intends for these shoots to be her last big "hoorah" before leaving. We see Dolce struggling with a variety of different issues, from relationships to drinking and smoking. Through her actions and expressions, it is easy to tell what she is going through at any given moment, and Mancinelli is so convincing in the role it is hard to believe she is even acting. There are many great scenes, including my favorite where she gets behind the camera to shoot a younger model named Viral (Audria Ayers). My favorite aspect of the film was the use of natural lighting. Whether it be the sun shining through a window, or a sliver of light coming from a door, it makes the film seem all the more realistic. Bottom line, this is a good film not only if you are into the aspects of modeling and photography, but also if you like character study. I must admit, I don't get to see many indie films, but I am glad I caught this one.

This was a dark journey for the Dolce/Jane (Lynn Mancinelli) and the viewer is right there with her. You see her at her lowest, indulging in the vices a lifestyle with no center and sustained by illusion, smoke, and mirrors, provide. You experience her world, from her eyes, and together come to a realization that the ride must come to an end. So, one more trip down the rabbit hole. Only this time, not to stay, but to say, "goodbye". On the road for one more stab at all the things that made this her lifestyle of choice. Indulge in one more drug binge, one more casual sex encounter, one last great photoshoot. With each experience, she sheds her demons. In the end, there is redemption in coming home.

In 'Broken Side Of Time', Gorman Bechard has crafted a road-trip film that is equal parts literal and figurative. The story centers on Dolce, played by the fantastic Lynn Mancinelli, who has been modeling for a decade and is trying to figure out all aspects of her life: her career, her family, her passions, her vices, and herself. Despite not having any true insight into the life of a model like Dolce, I find it easy to relate both to her story and to both aspects of her journey. The film is beautifully shot, with captivating perspectives and dazzling balances between light and shadow, color and griminess, and action and passivity that speak directly to Dolce's movements and to her mental state throughout. Dean Falcone's score, which sounds as if could be a lost Chris Whitley instrumental album, provides a perfect backdrop from start to finish. I won't give anything away here, but I will say that of all the stories I've read and seen on film that follow a character through a journey whereby he or she is seeking redemption or change or insight into the meaning of life - whether his or hers specifically, or in a larger sense - this one speaks to me in a deeper and more direct way than most, particularly when compared to films of the past two decades or so following this general theme. Like life itself, there are moments of Dolce's journey that are hard to take, but they serve to provide both the character and the viewer with the drive to keep on going, to continue searching, to never lose hope. Bechard has struck a chord with me in 'Broken Side Of Time', and has given me plenty to think about in my own journey through life.

Greetings,

Thank you for checking out the IMDb page for my new narrative feature, "Broken Side of Time."

This is a film that grew out of making my first documentary, "Color Me Obsessed, a film about The Replacements," and the idea of shooting a fiction film the same way we'd shoot a documentary. No script. Just an idea for a beginning and an end, and we'd let the footage captured dictate the story when we got to the editing room. But I knew to make that work I needed a brilliant lead actress, so I turned to Lynn Mancinelli from my "Friends (With Benefits)." She will break your heart in this film. She will speak to the wrong decisions we all make, the abuse we often times inflict upon ourself, knowing we need to stop, but unable to, until rock bottom is hit.

"Broken Side of Time" is a story about redemption. About starting over. About hitting that rock bottom, and realizing you are the only one who can save yourself. Lynn's character, Dolce, needs to reinvent herself at 30 and start over. And that is never easy.

The 11 professional photo shoots depicted in the film were all real shoots, with some of the best photographers located on our road trip between Connecticut and Detroit. They were shot cinéma vérité style. My camera set into a corner, capturing the action as it unfolded. The only instructions to the photographers: Lynn had to be called by her character's name.

I'm very proud of this film. It was made by a very small crew. At times I was the only person behind the camera (shooting, directing, doing sound), Lynn was the only person in front of it (also doing hair and makeup). The most crew members ever on set numbered 5 during the bar scenes, proof that a small collection of people who really know what they're doing can make a film look as good as a crew of 20 or 60 or more.

By ordering this DVD or renting/purchasing the film on a digital platform, you are supporting indie film the way it was meant to be. (This is not a $20 million dollar Hollywood version of "independent" cinema.) I truly think you'll find "Broken Side of Time" raw and heartbreaking, and Lynn's performance beautiful. Hopefully it's a film that will stay with you for a long long time. A film that you will return to, finding some deeper meaning each time you watch it. Spotting a shot that you somehow missed the first time around. One that now takes your breath away.

Thank you for coming along with us on this amazing ride.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Until next time...

Gorman Bechard director/editor/cinematographer, "Broken Side of Time"

P.S. The DVD edition on sale May 20, 2014, features a number of great EXTRAS, including: 5 extended unedited photo shoots, a bunch of deleted scenes, extended scenes, and some really funny blooper outtakes. Plus there's a featurette on how we created the look and feel of the film, and got it made on such a low budget using KickStarter.