ROBERT IN THE BEDROOM
An elderly woman (Lottie) prepares to start her day, but nothing is going right. Her husband Robert won't come out of the bedroom, the coffee's burned and when her daughter Sylvia shows up out of the blue--she accuses Lottie of being forgetful. Is Lottie just having a bad day, or is there something terribly amiss in her world?
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Cynthia M. UhrichDirectorM4W, Suite 7734
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Cynthia M. UhrichWriterM4W, Suite 7734, Hot Dish
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Cynthia M. UhrichProducerM4W, Suite 7734
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Lee SandbergProducer
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Ingrid MossProducer
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Mary Kay Fortier SpauldingKey Cast
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Ingrid MossKey Cast
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Katie GaulkeKey Cast
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Bryan Daniel PorterKey Cast
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Gregory WinterCinematography
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:15 minutes 15 seconds
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Completion Date:April 2, 2016
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Production Budget:8,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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36th Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul Int'l Film FestivalMinneapolis-St. Paul
United States
April 24, 2017
Official Selection -
Frozen Film FestivalSt. Paul
United States
February 12, 2018
Official Selection
Cynthia Uhrich has a broad-reaching scope of experience and knowledge in the film and acting business ranging from acting to teaching, screenwriting, producing, casting, and directing. She resided in Los Angeles for eight years, where she augmented her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater with professional acting training and worked as a production assistant on commercials. She was a member of SAG and AFTRA for 24 years. She currently lives in an artist's loft in the arts community of Lowertown, St. Paul, Minnesota.
In 2012 she created IN THE MOMENT FILMS, fiscally sponsored by Springboard for the Arts, with the mission of employing Women in front of and behind the camera, with an eye towards telling original stories featuring women on topics of social significance.
Filmography (Shorts) Screenings & Awards:
"MISPLACED TRUST" (Drama) Director, Producer, Screenwriter
* Z-Fest winner "Bent Brewstillery Award"
* Oniros Film Awards: "Best Thriller" & "Best Ensemble"
* Mindfield - Albuquerque "Finalist"
* IndieFest Film Awards - Award of Merit: Female Fimmaker & Short Film
* Indie Short Fest - Finalist
* Hollywood Blood Horror - Winner: "Best Thriller" & "Best Ensemble"
* Cyrus Monthly Film Festival - Toronto - "Semi-Finalist"
* Hollywood International Golden Age - Finalist
* Phoenix Monthly - "Semi-Finalist"
* WRPN Women's International Film Festival - "Award of Excellence"
* Hollywood Just4Shorts Film & Screenplay Competition - WINNER "Best Horror Short"
* Cinema World Fest Awards - Selected - "Best Lighting" "Award of Merit - Cinematography"
* Hollywood International Golden Age Festival - "Finalist"
*Golden State Film Festival - Selected
* The International Horror Hotel Film Festival - "4th Place - Short Film"
* Hang on to Your Shorts - Nominee "Best Thriller"
* Over Forty Film Festival - Selected (July - virtual F.F.)
* Raleigh Film & Art Festival
"OH MY STARS" (Drama) Director, Producer
* Sedona International Film Festival - Official Selection
* Twin Cities Film Fest - "Audience Choice Award"
* Central States Indie Film Fan Festival - "Best Featurette"
* Highway 61 Film Festival - "1st Place"
* Culver City Film Festival - Official Selection
* Julian Dubuque International Film Festival (Postponed to screen in 2021) - Official Selection
*Sanford Independent Film Festival - Official Selection
* Dumbo Film Festival - Finalist
* Global Independent Film Awards:
- Gold - "Best Female Screenwriter" - Lorna Landvik
- Gold "Diversity & Inclusion"
- Silver "Best Leading Actress" - Anna Stranz
- Silver "Best Female Director" - Cynthia Uhrich
* Las Vegas International Screenwriting & Film Festival - Finalist
* Best Shorts Competition - "Best Actress" - Anna Stranz
*Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift - Official Selection
* Queens World Film Festival - Official Selection
* Los Angeles Film Awards - Semi-Finalist
* Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival - Official Selection
* Catalyst Content Festival
“EVERYONE GOES IN THE LAKE” (Dramedy) Director, Producer
* Twin Cities Film Festival
* Los Angeles International Indie Short Fests (Official Selection)
* Adventure Minnesota Film Festival
* Film North selection - Cinema Lounge screening
“ROBERT IN THE BEDROOM” - (Drama) Director, Screenwriter, Producer
* Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival,
* St. Paul Frozen Film Festival
* Minnesota Women in Film & Television
* Film North Cinema Lounge.
“CODE GREEN” - (Docu-Drama) Director, Screenwriter, Producer
* Docs Without Borders Film Festival
* Great Lakes Shorts Festival
* Kids'nFilm International Festival
* Highway 61 Film Festival
“M4W” - (Romantic Comedy) Director, Screenwriter, Producer
* Film North (formerly IFP) Cinema Lounge screening
She served for three years as a screenwriting and short story judge for the NYC Midnight Competition and has co-written a memoir with famed musician BrownMark of Prince's The Revolution band, "My Life in the Purple Kingdom" published by the University of Minnesota Press and released in September 2020.
ROBERT IN THE BEDROOM's screenplay was conceived 3 years ago, while I was reminiscing about my time working and living in Los Angeles. In 1995, I had been retained to help a family in Beverly Hills to document the art collection. My employer shared with me that her mother had recently been diagnosed with Stage 2 Alzheimer’s disease; a devastating diagnosis. I also discovered, that between the tears were stories that were, well, funny—because honestly—the silliest and strangest events occur in the early to middle stages of the disease.
I had an occasion to experience one of those times.
I was invited to visit Francine’s mother at her home, and upon meeting me, Francine’s mother’s eyes lit up, she threw her hands up, and she said “Hello, there you are! Would you like some iced tea?” I responded, “No tea for me, but thank you so much.” Her mother then smiled at me, and left the room. Francine and I continued chatting. . . and five minutes later, Francine’s mother returned, her eyes lit up once again, she threw her hands up in the air and said “Hello, there you are! Would you like some iced tea?” Her voice was exactly the same, as were her gestures, and the elated expression on her face. I told her that no, I was just fine without tea.
She returned two more times. Surprised to see me and asking the same question. We couldn't help but laugh. . . but after the fourth time, we looked at each other and cried.
Capturing this odd juxtaposition in which families find themselves seemed a moving, interesting idea. . . and so, we are first eased into Lottie’s world with some humor and warmth. This little story unfolds and progresses as the disease does. The outcome is heart-breaking.
It was important to me also to demonstrate in the film how those who have not been diagnosed often hide the fact that they are struggling; many in the elderly population suspect there is a problem, but are afraid to face it. The warning signs are easy to miss and easily attributed to aging. A traumatic event can worsen Alzheimer's, and often an individual has to re-experience tragic events over and over; because they simply cannot remember what has happened. Short-term memories are obscured, while the long-term memories may be intact. It is my hope that this film will increase awareness of this aspect of the disease. I worked with professionals in the Geriatric Health Care field who provided guidance to ensure the script is an accurate portrayal of the disease, and of the way in which lives are impacted by this incurable disease.