narrative feature films
highway one
86 mins, Released.
In rural California, Anna is hosting a New Year's Eve party. Nina, a long-gone friend from high school unexpectedly shows up, bringing out the feelings of Maria. Over the course of the evening, Maria struggles with her feelings and facing the partygoers: a gaggle of eccentric millennials
Festivals: Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2021 (World Premiere), Defy Film Festival Nashville (Best of Fest Award), Not Film Festival (Italy, Best Ensemble Award), Vail Film Festival, Evolution Mallorca! Film Festival (In Competition for Best Narrative Feature), New York Film Week, Reykjavik Feminist Film Festival
Cinemauto Muses + Women’s Month Screening at Second Home Hollywood
Distribution: Bohemia UK, tbd North America
Exclusive Engagement at Genesis Cinema, London
“Highway One is a glittery exploration
of millennial ennui. Whit Stillman meets Dazed and Confused at a tragic New Year’s Eve party. When a beautiful vision from the past, Nina, returns unexpectedly every- one is forced to confront their stagnant existence. Dreams, reality, lies, and games blend together and shift in this funny and heart breaking ode to Chekhov. The beau-tiful costumes and fun dialogue are merely the icing on top of a thoughtful inquiry into the human condition, as told by an important new voice in filmmaking, Jaclyn Bethany.”
“I had the pleasure of nabbing a special preview screening of this lovely film by writer/director Jaclyn Bethany. Existential dread, sparkly vintage eye-candy, surrealism tucked away there under the covers, and relationship drizzle combined with collective melancholy that speaks honestly on the New Year’s Eve house party. I loved every minute of it.”
“A worth American independent film” - Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara Critic’s Pick
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“(Juliette) Labelle is luminous in the role.”
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“(Aisha Fabienne) Ross equals Labelle in every way, as her slightly bitter, somewhat happy glances at Nina throughout the party speak volumes more than the words ever could.”
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"…will stay with you long after it's over."
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“Bethany’s screenplay is full of stirring themes, soulful sentences, and many amusing moments that feel true to life in that cinematic, unreal sort of way.” -Film Threat, 9/10
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.”An industry veteran, Bethany’s filmmaking is slick and vivid, with variations of lighting palettes utilised throughout the film which gives the impression of visual range.” - The Movie Waffler
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“Ivy George is a highlight” - The Guardian
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“Discovered as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), the second film written and directed by Jaclyn Bethany after Indigo Valley (2020) and numerous shorts, Highway One won us over… Above all, this film makes us want to go back to our old life, where we could go out, celebrate life and live life to the fullest.”
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“Highway One has the merit of managing to hold our attention throughout the film thanks to a solid direction of actors and a scenario conducive to highlighting excellent dialogues.” - Mulderville
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“Highway One is a bit like a surreal Big Chill, and at its best it recalls the talky ensemble films of Robert Altman, but with a weird and sexy style that often feels like a music video in the best way.”
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“I admire Highway One’s ambition, and Juliette Labelle is magnetic as the mysterious Nina.” - Nashville Scene
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“The relationship between Maria and Nina is one of the most intriguing aspects of Highway One. These sequences reveal the feelings they have for each other and wider aspirations and attitudes of the town.” Film News UK
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“A worth American independent film” - Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara Critic’s Pick · “(Juliette) Labelle is luminous in the role.” · “(Aisha Fabienne) Ross equals Labelle in every way, as her slightly bitter, somewhat happy glances at Nina throughout the party speak volumes more than the words ever could.” · "…will stay with you long after it's over." · “Bethany’s screenplay is full of stirring themes, soulful sentences, and many amusing moments that feel true to life in that cinematic, unreal sort of way.” -Film Threat, 9/10 · .”An industry veteran, Bethany’s filmmaking is slick and vivid, with variations of lighting palettes utilised throughout the film which gives the impression of visual range.” - The Movie Waffler · “Ivy George is a highlight” - The Guardian · “Discovered as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), the second film written and directed by Jaclyn Bethany after Indigo Valley (2020) and numerous shorts, Highway One won us over… Above all, this film makes us want to go back to our old life, where we could go out, celebrate life and live life to the fullest.” · “Highway One has the merit of managing to hold our attention throughout the film thanks to a solid direction of actors and a scenario conducive to highlighting excellent dialogues.” - Mulderville · “Highway One is a bit like a surreal Big Chill, and at its best it recalls the talky ensemble films of Robert Altman, but with a weird and sexy style that often feels like a music video in the best way.” · “I admire Highway One’s ambition, and Juliette Labelle is magnetic as the mysterious Nina.” - Nashville Scene · “The relationship between Maria and Nina is one of the most intriguing aspects of Highway One. These sequences reveal the feelings they have for each other and wider aspirations and attitudes of the town.” Film News UK ·
the falling world
The Falling World, 73 minutes
October 1992. A group of law students head to a remote home upstate where a girl disappeared two years earlier.
World Premiere, Cinequest 2022
BEFORE THE WORLD SET ON FIRe
71 mins, post-production
Mixed media
The story follows a mysterious illness that breaks out at a college, rumored to be caused by a chemical leak. Professor Anya Davis has resorted to online teaching of her undergraduate philosophy seminar, where something goes horribly wrong with one of her students, Wilder. In the fallout, she is put on trial where she is implicated in the incident and perhaps a corroboration of bio-terrorism.
the invisible girl
The Invisible Girl, 70 mins, in post production
A queer spin inspired by Mary Shelley's The Invisible Girl, told through the eyes of Henrietta and her lost love, Rosina.
Written by Sofia Drummond-Moore
Story by Sofia Drummond-Moore and Jaclyn Bethany
Animation by Vasilina Mikhaylova
indigo valley
Indigo Valley, 74 mins
Indigo Valley is the story of estranged sisters Louise and Isabella. When Isabella unexpectedly joins Louise and her new husband John on their honeymoon through the wilderness, tensions arise and secrets between all three begin to surface in unpredictable and dangerous ways.
Festivals: Garden State Film Festival, Reykjavik Feminist Film Festival
Distribution: Giant Pictures, 2020
Nomination for two Hollywood in Media Music Awards for Dalal Bruchmann & Maesa Pullmans’ Score and original song “Braided”
Available on Amazon and Apple TV and additional digital platforms in the US & UK.
“Indigo Valley is a character driven story. Many times, this means it is up to the cast to carry the movie. If the audience do not get a sense of the drama or tension, then the film will fail. Fortunately, the characters are very well developed. Bethany and Day do an excellent job of conveying the tension between the two sisters. Early on, it is played up with subtle glances and comments. Indigo Valley does not just begin with a volatile relationship; it eases into it.
“Writing, directing, and starring in a movie is a large burden to take on. Jaclyn Bethany manages to do handle all three roles with Indigo Valley. Those looking for a strong narrative with well rounded characters will enjoy this film.”
“Bethany aims high with her atypical drama about sisterhood, adultery and addiction, and luckily exceeds expectations.”
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"Sublime, natural cinematography. The lighting and rustic imagery of an exceptional level and is deserving of all praise."
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"Impactful thanks to a strong cast"
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Bethany successfully graduates to the next level of her career.. We definitely haven’t seen the last of her.” -Into: Screens
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“I enjoyed Jaclyn Bethany's Indigo Valley for its performances and the understated story.” -Film Threat
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“Bethany aims high with her atypical drama about sisterhood, adultery and addiction, and luckily exceeds expectations.” · "Sublime, natural cinematography. The lighting and rustic imagery of an exceptional level and is deserving of all praise." · "Impactful thanks to a strong cast" · Bethany successfully graduates to the next level of her career.. We definitely haven’t seen the last of her.” -Into: Screens · “I enjoyed Jaclyn Bethany's Indigo Valley for its performances and the understated story.” -Film Threat ·
“The gap between sisters Louise (Rosie Day) and Isabella (Jaclyn Bethany) flows like the River Kwai. One of them spends a lifetime mending the bridge, while the other packs it with dynamite. Indigo Valley is a stark, moody study of this relationship, in a film that gets spiked with a few surprises.. Viewers will find a lot to absorb here, especially in an ambiguous final act.”
“Bethany also writes and directs, and she has a sharp ear for dialogue. Notice Isabella’s tryst with an affable ranch hand (Atli Oskar Fjalarsson): She’s bubbly and empathetic one minute, only to casually mock his name and alienate him in the next. Meanwhile, Louise often drapes her words with a layer of cheerfulness, as if to provide a defiantly friendly counterpoint to her sullen sister.
Indigo Valley maintains a mood of melancholia throughout, and all the performers oblige that with appropriately intense performances. “
“Indigo Valley is a smart, illuminating little film. It absolutely nails the complex, unknowable relationship that can develop between sisters.”
UNDER THE LANTERN LIT SKY
Feature, 72 mins.
World Premiere Brooklyn Film Festival, 2021
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Written by and featuring Jaclyn Bethany
Directed by Michelle Bossy
Under the Lantern Lit Sky explores the. new marriage of a young couple in 1927 Mississippi, who in different ways are coming to terms with their sexuality.
“Writer Jaclyn Bethany is pivotal to the success of Under the Lantern Lit Sky. Combined with production designer Kit Sheridan, this human drama set in 1920’s Mississippi oozes decadence. Sexual repression, social taboos and conservative attitudes define this character piece. Coming in at a taut seventy five minutes, this concise study of marital convenience feeds into discussions around gender and sexuality.”
“Director Michelle Bossy has crafted an old-fashioned theatrical experience, relying on pitch perfect performances and an inherently southern social malaise. Devin Kawaoka and Jacyln Bethany take centre stage as newlyweds.”