The Making of In Her Name
In Her Name behind the scenes documentary!
Three Women, Two Stories, One Vision: The Making of In Her Name is a 30-minute never before seen documentary about the making of the Tribeca Award-Winning Film, In Her Name.
The documentary is AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon when you order a Blu-ray of In Her Name.
About In Her Name
After decades of radio silence and their mother’s recent suicide,
family bankruptcy conspires to reunite estranged and wildly
incompatible sisters as they face their egomaniacal artist father’s
terminal prognosis.
Fiona, committed to keeping up her cheerful traditional housewife appearances, is a direct product of her pill-popping, born-again Christian mother who reinvented herself to fit into a conservative midwestern lifestyle after fleeing the evils of Hollywood, and her alcoholic husband’s questionable philosophies on sex and freedom. Freya, a natural born artist and daddy’s girl, hasn’t been able to leave the nest and step out from under her father’s shadow, however promising her own career. The film begins when Fiona unexpectedly arrives at Freya and her father’s doorstep to sell the family home before the bank can get to it. Only then does Fiona learn that her dad is dying and her sister’s life is, in her opinion, out of control. Against their wishes, Fiona is compelled to stay. Mirroring an absurd level of denial and delusion over the course of a few days together, the three of them undergo a series of alchemical revelations that unravel their twisted narratives. Their lives are no less tragic, but finally, they know love.
In Her Name has been featured at film festivals around the world, premiering at Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 and taking home an Audience Award. The film was distributed with Giant Pictures and Drafthouse as part of Tribeca Releases in June 2024. Read more about In Her Name here.
Written & Directed by Sarah Carter
Collaboration Story
As a team, Sarah Carter, Erin Hammond, and Ciera Danielle conceived a story exploring the impact of shared trauma and the transformative power of love and forgiveness in reuniting estranged families.
Erin Hammond (Freya) and Ciera Danielle (Fiona) approached Sarah Carter with an inspiring proposal. Having crossed paths with Erin during a scene study workshop, Sarah was intrigued by their shared passion. Despite initial uncertainties, Sarah was captivated by their commitment and unique synergy. Drawn by their deep faith and the prospect of infusing prayer into her creative journey, Sarah embraced the opportunity to collaborate on a feature film, recognizing the potential to experience something truly miraculous together.
Philippe Caland (Marv) joined the project amidst his own grief after losing his mother, the renowned painter Huguette Caland. Our journey began in Philippe's Venice Beach home, a symbolic setting steeped in artistic heritage. It was designed by his mother at the inception of the Los Angeles art scene which informed the new age bohemian world of the film.
Midway through filming, the global pandemic halted our progress, prompting deep reflection on values and unity amid adversity. This theme of art, humanity, and reconciliation amidst differences resonates throughout the film.
Inspired by the devout Christian beliefs of Erin and Ciera, director Sarah Carter delved into the dichotomy between the artist's path and religious devotion, exploring their shared quest for a deeper connection with God while navigating the potential pitfalls of both paths.
Amidst the writing journey, the narrative evolved to focus on embracing our differences, challenging beliefs, and fostering peace within relationships, reflecting the complexities of our times and personal struggles.
In Her Name proved to be a profoundly healing and prophetic tale, particularly poignant for Sarah following the loss of her brother to addiction after the completion of principal photography. This experience heightened the film's intimate portrayal of familial grief and discord, emphasizing the need for understanding and acceptance.
Sarah's post-production phase was deeply influenced by her newfound perspective on love and truth emerging from pain. Recognizing the film's potential to incite profound change and promote radical forgiveness and love, she viewed the project as a transformative vehicle for shifting perspectives and opening hearts on a broader scale.
In essence, the creative journey behind In Her Name symbolized a reunion with the enigmatic forces of life — a prayer answered, a liberation of self and spirit, a testament to faith in the unknown, and a celebration of unconditional love amidst life's trials and differences.
Death and grieving illuminate the essence of life, transcending materiality to reveal the spirit within. Sarah aimed to capture this profound truth, leading to a deeper self-awareness for herself and her collaborators as artists and individuals. Despite the weighty themes, she infused the film with a light-hearted and meditative tone, blending sorrow with humor to engage viewers emotionally. Laughter threaded through the filmmaking process, perhaps serving as the key to the story's enduring resonance for Sarah, Erin, and Ciera.
Collaborators
-
Adam Petrishin
Adam Petrishin is a photographer, filmmaker, and editor. As the additional camera and behind the scenes photographer for In Her Name, he captured the spirit running beneath the surface without fail. Adam has been integral to the Cheshire Moon Production family from inception. Adam edited the Making Of documentary featuring his beautiful footage, available only on the DVD and Blu-ray copies of In Her Name.
-
Sarah Carter
Sarah Carter is a writer, director, actor, filmmaker, musician and CEO of Cheshire Moon Productions. Her success as an actor inspired a quiet pursuit of the director's chair. Working with and shadowing directors like Spike Lee, Judd Apatow, and Steven Spielberg, she discovered her own passion her filmmaking, and the social impact of original storytelling.
Beyond her work as a writer, director, and actor, Sarah Carter has been behind the scenes as the CEO of Cheshire Moon Productions for over two decades. Originally a framework to facilitate her own creative projects, Sarah’s joy and pure intention as a producer is magnetic. Her debut feature, “In Her Name”, premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022, winning an Audience Award. The film is set for distribution with Giant Pictures and Drafthouse as part of Tribeca Releases in June 2024.
-
Leah Brown
Leah Brown is a film director, editor, and creative writer based in Brooklyn, New York. Her directing and editing experience extends across various mediums, including broadcast commercials, fashion editorials, music videos, short documentaries and experimental films. Leah edited the trailers for the Making Of documentary across YouTube, Instagram, and all social platforms. You can check out her work at https://leahbrown.tv/.