"It really fit the theme I wanted for the film:" Feature-length film "God Forgive Us" shot in Kenosha
KENOSHA (WITI) -- It screens for the first time on Saturday, August 9th. The feature film "God Forgive Us" was shot in Kenosha. The film features the dramatic collision of four strangers struggling through drug addiction, existential suicide, terminal illness and death. Portraying all different aspects of life and society, God Forgive Us chronicles the utter hopelessness that all humans experience, regardless of class or social roles.
"The original shot in my mind -- I had seen in a dream or whatnot, and it just kind of evolved and spiraled into this story," the film's director, Michael Bachochin said.
After more than 13 months of writing, filming and dealing with all that comes with putting together a feature film, Bachochin and producer Kyle Downs are getting ready for another new experience: showing "God Forgive Us" to its first audience.
"We`ve done a lot of short films in our time, but just turning it into a feature just created a lot of new whirlwind issues that we haven`t dealt with before. I've never been more proud of anything we've ever done before. I'm excited to show it off," Down said.
"Every scene has an intent. Every scene develops a character or shows a side that you didn`t know this character has," Bachochin said.
It's a concept made even more important given some of the heavy issues this film explores. And the story is being told from Wisconsin's own Kenosha.
"We were sitting in a coffee shop along the lake there in downtown Kenosha and I thought 'well why don`t we do it here?' It really fit the theme I wanted for the film," Downs said.
Downs and Bachochin soon realized that Kenosha was also a good fit for something else.
"We`ve been working on and will launch the first Kenosha International Film Festival next year," Downs said.
But of course, before they embark on that journey, they must reap the rewards of their feature film.
"I want it to be seen. Of course we want distribution. We want people to buy it. We want more people to see it, because for me, like most independent films -- it`s a rarity and a story that hardly ever gets told," Downs said.
The film screens on Saturday night, August 9th at Carthage College. The screening is sold out.
Right now, the only way to see the film is at film festivals.
Downs and Bachochin have submitted the film to several festivals -- including some big ones like Sundance. They're encouraging folks to contact their local film festival if you're interested in seeing the film.
You can also follow their website to see where the film will be shown next.
CLICK HERE to "Like" God Forgive Us on Facebook for updates.
CLICK HERE to access the film's website.