Wonder Watchlist

I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life, and though not many would assume the filmmaking potential the Great Lakes State possesses. The backdrop of lush forests and metropolitan cities is used in major Hollywood films. Or others base their film in many of the state’s iconic cities, such as the Motor City of Detroit. From the Detroit and the historic Russell Industrial Center for 2016’s Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice to the dystopian streets of Detroit in 1978’s Robocop. Michigan representation in filmmaking doesn’t just stop there, with local talent celebrating the state’s beauty in unique ways.

There’s two film that I was able to catch recently that captured my attention wonderfully. An Autumn Summer from Jared Isaac is a warm summer breeze that floats us through the growing pains of transitioning into adulthood. The Daughters of the Domino from Jacob McAnally captures a mystery thriller that reunites estranged sisters tracking down their serial killer father. Both show Michigan for all their midwest charm, down to the dive bars and shorelines that make it home.

An Autumn Summer Dir. Jared Isaac

Synopsis: “An 18-year-old spends the summer with his girlfriend, family and best friends before heading off to college.”

Michigan is a state that experiences all the very best and the very worst when it comes to weather. And there’s truly nothing like a Michigan summer, especially spent lakeside with loved ones. An Autumn Summer is a reminder of weekend trips up north with friends, times we thought would never end, but sadly they do. Jared Isaac captures a nostalgic longing for the time before college, where the only responsibilities were to have fun while it lasted.

He tells his film’s story from the perspective of Kevin (Mark McKenna), his girlfriend Cody (Lukita Maxwell), and their friends Jared (Jun Yu) and Martin (Julian Bass). It’s 2010, and college is closing in closer and closer, and much like any group of friends, they aren’t all going to the same college. Kevin and Cody have to grapple with being long-distance or having a relationship that is on and off for the next several years. A choice that isn’t easy, no matter what age you are.

Isaac captures the feeling that time is running out incredibly well. It helps that Mckenna and Maxwell have great chemistry together, especially in moments where they are silently seated together just taking in their last few days. The passionate young love that feels overjoyed with its excitement but also overwhelming with its limited time. The film’s best moments are when these two lovebirds are desperately trying to find solutions for the distance that will soon be between them.

Michigan is basically its own character in An Autumn Summer, from the vibrant trees that stretch for miles to the dark, cooling waters on a hot day. Shot in Northern Michigan and highlights all the activities that make that part of the state the best summer hangout. My favorite is when Isaac uses the dunes to show a reluctance between Kevin and Cody; he’s ready to take a jump, but she is more hesitant. Or the early morning fog that sits just above the water, with the young couple taking in each other’s last morning together.

An Autumn Summer has all the makings to be an indie classic. It’s got a charming cast, warm and cozy nostalgic vibes, and a premise that most people can relate to. Showcasing Michigan in all her beauty.

For more information, check out their website for more!

A Michigan release for An Autumn Summer happens on May 15th and May 22nd.

The Daughters of the Domino Dir. Jesse McAnally

Synopsis: “When Detective Nina Rose arrested her serial killer father, The Domino, she became an overnight sensation. Years later, the glory has faded but the hurt remains; Nina’s relationship with her sister Laura never recovered. With a new killer in town and Laura’s daughter missing, the sisters must work together, following the convoluted and sometimes absurd trail uncovering dark secrets from their past.”

Original films like The Daughters Of The Domino are refreshing for audiences, especially in the sea of remakes and reboots. A generational mystery that explores how the true crime community has changed how victims and the predators that harm them are seen. A modern film noir from Jesse McAnally shows the talent Michigan filmmakers hold.

There’s a lot to love from McAnally’s newest film, which centers around the lives of sisters. One being a seasoned detective who helped break the case on her murderous father, Nina Rose (Miranda Moffat). And her sister Laura (Lucie Gillespie), who spends her time raising Nina’s niece Jules (Ashley Poulin), with the infamy of their looming over them. Their relationship is strained, especially with Nina continuing to tell their family’s story now with a book. But when Jules goes missing and murders in the same style as the Domino, they have to team up.

McAnally gives the audience a fair share of twists and turns in The Daughters of the Domino, at times totally subverting where you think a twist might go. It keeps the film engaging, especially when it touches on the impact that true crime communities have. When someone’s pain and family trauma become a podcast episode for people to indulge in. And how it reopens wounds that were better left closed. Laura and Nina are both complex, having their own unique history with their father. This further adds to the conversation surrounding how their story gets told.

The film approaches generational trauma in a way doesn’t dweele soully on being victims. It gives two sisters a chance to reconnect and finally resolve the biggest hurdle in their relationship. Moffat and Ashley play off each other well, with Laura being the more closed off one to the outspokenness of Nina. Their moments together wading through the wreckage the Domino leaves behind are equally heartwarming and frankly, badass.

A Michigan film that truly highlights the quality of filmmakers the state has to offer, look no further than The Daughters of the Domino.

For local screenings, check out their website for details.

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