Best Girlfriends writer, director looks forward to LUNAFEST screening

When LUNAFEST film festival comes to the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre later this month, the film Best Girlfriends, written and directed by Barbara Troy of Pleasant Ridge, will be among the selected features.

The fourth annual festival, which focuses attention on women filmmakers and benefits The Breast Cancer Fund, will have two showings this year, April 21 and 25. Best Girlfriends actors Jaclyn Strez and Morgan Chard (pictured left, photo by Amy DeRosier), Jamie Warrow, Sandra Rollin, Michael Rollo and Troy will attend the Wednesday April 21 event. 

The founder of Shady Lady Films LLC, Troy is pleased the film is part of an event that benefits breast cancer research. She looks forward to attending a preview on April 19; it will be the first time she sees Best Girlfriends on the big screen. 

"It's a ten-minute short about two women who were childhood friends, their mothers were friends...they meet and fall in love in 24 hours," said Troy, who added the characters will also be central to a feature film she is trying to get funded. "It turns out this film stands on its own very well."

Best Girlfriends had the support of about 100 dedicated people, including professional cinematographer Lon Stratton, whose resume includes work on more than a dozen commercial films and eight features, including the critically acclaimed Ocean of Pearls.

"He is an incredible cinematographer," Troy said. "Our film looks beautiful."

Five actors have speaking roles, including the stars, Morgan Chard, who is also co-producer, and Jackie Strez, whose stage name is Jaclyn Strez. Both are active in Detroit's theatre scene. Chard's work on stage earned her two Oscar Wilde awards in 2009, one for drama and one for comedy.

In the feature film, Dreamtime, the characters are "on the lam" for a murder they didn't commit.

"It becomes a road trip movie," explained Troy, pictured center with Morgan Chard, right, and Jackie Strez, left. "It's Thelma & Louise, only younger and gayer." (Photo by Lora Grujic courtesy Shady Lady Films LLC.)

While she has had some interest in Dreamtime, including actress Susan Sarandon (who co-starred in Thelma & Louise), Troy said it's hard to find funding for film in Michigan, and especially difficult to find funding for gay films. Because it's a "road trip" film, she has approached the auto companies. Their problem wasn't the gay lead characters, Troy said, only a lack of funds. As their fortunes begin to change, she hopes to find some backing.

Best Girlfriends will have its official premiere in Los Angeles in July, but all of the cast and crew are local talents, Troy said. Co-producer Rebecca Sekulich, who now lives in LA, is originally from Dearborn. Even the score is homegrown, composed by Detroit native Troy Gregory. Best Girlfriends has also had support from attorney Lisa Pick of Miller Canfield, who specializes in working with the film industry. "Whenever I've needed anything, she's been there," Troy said.

"It truly takes a village to make a film," she added.

One of Us films is in its fourth year of hosting LUNAFEST, this time with two screenings at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre: Wednesday April 21 from 6 to 8 pm and Sunday April 25 from 4 to 6 pm, in partnership with Lunabars and The Breast Cancer Fund.

LUNAFEST is a national film festival that features short films by, for and about women. In addition, One of Us Films will be screening its films from this year. Ticket prices are: $20 for LUNAFEST and One of Us Films screening; $15 for LUNAFEST and $10 for One of Us Screening.

More information can be found on the One of Us Films website, under the screenings tab. www.oneofusfilms.org