BROKEN BOTTLES (2022)
As two teenagers working at a diner pass the time by playing a game with bottle caps, an incident arises that forces them to question their relationship.
Runtime: 6 mins
Starring: Michael MacLeod & Bebe Katsenes
Written & Directed by: Caden H. Hollander
Produced by: Alexandra Miller
Director of Photography: Kiara Simmons
Edited by: Kiara Simmons
Sound: Alexandra Miller
Production Designer: Jade Crenian
Assistant Director: Yuwan Ye
Script Supervisor: Jovanna Vega-Albela
Assistant Camera: John Kim
Lead Gaffer: Chloe Jaeger
Graphic Designer: Claire Wong
*This project was filmed for CTPR 310 at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and was shot in compliance with all of USC’s Covid-19 filming protocols*
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Romantic comedies are some of my favorite movies, having grown up with a mom and sister that watched films like 10 Things I Hate About You and Love Actually religiously. Truly nothing beats two actors that are sizzling with on-screen chemistry as they banter back and forth.
In writing this film, I found it slowly and happily turned into a rom-com, and once I committed to telling a story within that genre, it made me examine what makes me love those movies so much, and also the internal character flaws that are often frustratingly glossed over in these films in favor of a "happily ever after" ending.
In telling this story, I was most interested in how these flaws and our perspective backgrounds impact the relationships we have or seek to have, and specifically the pain of toxic masculinity that has been passed down through generations of men, a pain that the character Ethan grapples with in this story.
Toxic masculinity is also something that I, as well as many men, have grappled with our whole lives. I tried to come at this aspect of the film with an empathetic perspective towards both characters, as I believe it's crucial to think about both the source of these problems and the effect that our generational trauma can have on the people that we love.
I hope that you're able to take something away from the film, and also enjoy the on-screen relationship that these two characters have.
pw: brokenbottles
MOVIE STILLS
BEHIND THE SCENES
SCREENPLAY
The final Master Script of BROKEN BOTTLES is available to read!! Click on the pdf icon on the right of the page if you are interested in seeing the film's final screenplay!
MUSIC FROM THE FILM
If you're interested in listening to some of the fantastic retro music from the film, we've compiled a playlist of all of the songs played in "Broken Bottles!"
*All music licensing in the film is done courtesy of Musicbed*