(SUNLAND, CA) Screenwriter and novelist, Kelly Reno of Sunland, California recently found herself standing in the middle of the Mojave Desert—on the set of her short film, Mojave Philosophy. Produced by Red Horizon Films, Mojave Philosophy is a slice-of-life film about a waitress who discovers what matters in life she compares her dire situation to the barren landscape.
Shot on location in the Mojave Desert, the dismal surroundings reflect the despair and hopelessness that the main character goes through as she reflects on life. Her journey through the City of Mojave eventually leads her home where she realizes that all the sacrifices she made were worth it “This is the story of a flower surviving in the desert,” Reno said.
As a writer, Reno often goes to the desert to collect her ideas and she sometimes passes through the city of Mojave. “One day I was driving through the back streets of Mojave and noticed an abandoned fishing boat in a junk yard,” Reno said. “It was striking, this broken down boat against the backdrop of the Mojave Desert and it was sad. It probably used to belong to some happy family. But now it was rusted and broken and it made me wonder what happened to that family. I began to look around and started noticing other things – things that travelers had left behind; broken down cars, scattered clothing, stray dogs and tumbleweeds. There was this hitchhiker holding a cardboard sign that read; anywhere but here. It was heartbreaking, but it made me think about the people who live there; how they dig in their roots and carve out a life for themselves in that kind of environment. Looking at it from that angle, the story for Mojave Philosophy came to life.”
Although just six minutes long, Mojave Philosophy delivers a powerful message about courage and joy and critics are comparing the uplifting short to Forrest Gump. “It’s an inspirational film about finding your place in this world,” Reno said. “It’s about knowing who you are and what really matters.”
Directed by Tom Wozny and produced by Sandy Hockenbery, Mojave Philosophy was recently accepted into The Doorpost Film Project, an international film competition for inspirational short films. To watch the film’s online debut, visit http://www.thedoorpost.com/
For more information contact Red Horizon Films at www.RedHorizonFilms.com
