"When Waksman moved to Missoula, she wasn’t interested in telling the story of a Jewish woman, nor of digging into her own family’s historical trauma. Her fictionalized story was centered on a woman from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.Yet, sharing her family’s story became a way to open doors. 'People were more willing to connect to me when I shared my history,' Waksman said."
When 22 year-old Rae, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is targeted by Neo-Nazis in Billings, Montana, her ancestors' trauma becomes real. After hitting a low, she returns home to her mother and uncovers the truth about a childhood accident. As antisemitism continues to rise in the community, we follow Rae on her journey to forgive herself, her mother, and the broken world.
Inspired by true events, this coming-of-age story shows the inherited effects of historical trauma and the strength of survival and healing.
Director Bio:
Alana Waksman is an Ashkenazi writer, director, producer, and first generation descendant of Holocaust survivors from Poland. She is an alum of the USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA in Film & Television Production, and Connecticut College BA in Theater and English. As an actor, she trained at Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theater Festival, St. Petersburg Dramatic Arts Academy in Russia, and The O'Neill National Theater Institute where she studied under Colman Domingo.
While at USC, Alana was chosen as one of ten top directors to co-direct USC’s first feature film, DON QUIXOTE: THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN OF LA MANCHA with the guidance of James Franco. The film premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and is now available for streaming on Netflix. Alana has written and directed a number of short films and music videos, most notably BLACKOUT, written by David Haskell, received the Audience Award at the LA Shorts Fest, and Best Actor and Best Cinematography at the Women’s Independent Film Festival.
Alana’s feature debut WE BURN LIKE THIS, which she wrote, directed, and produced, is executive produced by Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer Neda Armian (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, THE LOVING STORY, MURDER AT MIDDLE BEACH). She is currently in development for her debut feature documentary, also executive produced by Neda Armian, as well as her second narrative feature.
- Year2021
- Runtime81 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorAlana Waksman
"When Waksman moved to Missoula, she wasn’t interested in telling the story of a Jewish woman, nor of digging into her own family’s historical trauma. Her fictionalized story was centered on a woman from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.Yet, sharing her family’s story became a way to open doors. 'People were more willing to connect to me when I shared my history,' Waksman said."
When 22 year-old Rae, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is targeted by Neo-Nazis in Billings, Montana, her ancestors' trauma becomes real. After hitting a low, she returns home to her mother and uncovers the truth about a childhood accident. As antisemitism continues to rise in the community, we follow Rae on her journey to forgive herself, her mother, and the broken world.
Inspired by true events, this coming-of-age story shows the inherited effects of historical trauma and the strength of survival and healing.
Director Bio:
Alana Waksman is an Ashkenazi writer, director, producer, and first generation descendant of Holocaust survivors from Poland. She is an alum of the USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA in Film & Television Production, and Connecticut College BA in Theater and English. As an actor, she trained at Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theater Festival, St. Petersburg Dramatic Arts Academy in Russia, and The O'Neill National Theater Institute where she studied under Colman Domingo.
While at USC, Alana was chosen as one of ten top directors to co-direct USC’s first feature film, DON QUIXOTE: THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN OF LA MANCHA with the guidance of James Franco. The film premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and is now available for streaming on Netflix. Alana has written and directed a number of short films and music videos, most notably BLACKOUT, written by David Haskell, received the Audience Award at the LA Shorts Fest, and Best Actor and Best Cinematography at the Women’s Independent Film Festival.
Alana’s feature debut WE BURN LIKE THIS, which she wrote, directed, and produced, is executive produced by Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer Neda Armian (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, THE LOVING STORY, MURDER AT MIDDLE BEACH). She is currently in development for her debut feature documentary, also executive produced by Neda Armian, as well as her second narrative feature.
- Year2021
- Runtime81 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorAlana Waksman