Mountainside is a 2023 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Mikiech Nichols, starring Nichols, Nicole Merat, Monisa Brown, Alaina Morretti, and Allyson Norton. The film is set in Seattle and follows Felix, a 30-year-old film projectionist and floundering screenwriter who meets Stella, a chain-smoking cinephile whose friendship ends up inspiring him both creatively and romantically. It is loosely based on the director's real-life experiences.[1][2][3]
| Mountainside | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mikiech Nichols |
| Written by | Mikiech Nichols |
| Produced by | Chad Courtney Lisa Fortino Ashley Hauser |
| Starring | Mikiech Nichols Nicole Merat Monisa Brown Alaina Moretti Allyson Norton Juan Rowlands Sarah Scheller |
| Cinematography | Chad Courtney |
| Edited by | Mikiech Nichols |
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThirty year-old film projectionist and flailing screenwriter, Felix, struggles to connect with anyone outside of his sister and her girlfriend. To make things worse, an intense bout of writer's block doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. After reluctantly joining a writing group and getting invited by someone to a party, Felix meets Stella, a down-to-earth, chain-smoking cinephile who he immediately clicks with. The two become fast friends, and over the next few months spend just about every waking moment with each other. But their seemingly perfect platonic friendship quickly becomes more complicated when Felix falls in love with Stella just as her new love-interest enters the picture. In an effort not to lose her as a friend, Felix tries to keep his feelings to himself and continue spending time with both Stella and her partner until he eventually feels the need to step back and accept a reality where he and Stella might never be together. In the end, Felix finds renewed creative inspiration, culminating in him writing and directing his first feature film.
Never hesitating to take steps outside of reality through the use of movies within movies, found footage, and action sequences, Mountainside is also a love letter to film itself.
Cast
edit- Mikiech Nichols as Felix
- Nicole Merat as Stella
- Monisa Brown as Ilana
- Alaina Moretti as Gina
- Allyson Norton as Nora
- Juan Rowland as Elijah
- Sarah Scheller as Evelyn
- Rich Hawkins as Judas
- Fantasia Rose as Caroline
Production
editMountainside was filmed entirely on location in Seattle, Washington, where most of the crew and cast were either from or lived during its two and a half years of production.[4] The film was picked up for theatrical distribution by Compassionate Disaster Films and for streaming distribution by DeskPop Entertainment.[citation needed]
Release and reception
editFestivals
editMountainside was selected to screen at the following film festivals:
- 2022 Northwest Film Forum's Local Sightings Film Festival
- 2023 Tacoma Film Festival[5]
- 2023 Beyond Hollywood Film Festival
- 2023 Spokane International Film Festival
Accolades
edit
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane International Film Festival Jury Awards | 2023 | Best Northwest Feature | Mountainside | Won | [6] |
| Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival Jury Awards | 2023 | Best Narrative Feature | Mountainside | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Janavel, AJ (September 21, 2023). "'It's a dream come true': Unsure of future, local Seattle cinema continues to provide platform for filmmakers". Fox 13 Seattle. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ McNichols, Joshua (October 12, 2023). "Seattle's Grand Illusion Cinema, indie film buff favorite, faces uncertain future following $2.3 million sale". KUOW-FM. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Hutchinson, Chase (January 29, 2024). "Mountainside Filmmaker Mikiech Nichols on Shooting His Film in Seattle and Trying to Avoid the Manic Pixie Dream Girl Trope". The Stranger. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Preview of 'Mountainside,' movie shot entirely in Seattle". Fox 13 Seattle. September 6, 2023. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Mountainside". Tacoma Film Festival. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Mountainside". Grand Illusion Cinema. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.