Private Project

Audition

Maria, once a successful actress in her native Bulgaria, is on a mission to make it in Hollywood. Her husband Stefan is struggling to provide for the family and wants her to finally give up her lifelong dream and find a “real job,” one that pays the bills.
Maria gets a call for yet another Russian prostitute audition but Stefan is held up at work and unable to take care of their 9-year-old son Danny. She is forced to take Danny with her. While Maria is auditioning, Danny signs up for an audition next door. The next day, she receives a callback email, but it turns out that the callback is for her son. Maria is struck! She doesn't want her boy in this dirty industry.

  • Sarah Jean Kruchowski
    Director
    The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards , For Toby, Almost Not Beautiful, In an Instant, etc.
  • Maria Bobeva
    Writer
    Widows Effect
  • Petro Dushkov
    Producer
  • Maria Bobeva
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
    She Comes In Spring (2013), Half Sisters (2015), The Phoenix Incident (2015)
  • Marie Laurin
    Key Cast
    "Cecile"
    The Cowboy and The Frenchman (David Lynch, 1988), Creature (1985)
  • Zoran Radanovich
    Key Cast
    "Stefan"
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Iceman
  • Vincent Alvas
    Key Cast
    "Casting Director"
    The Institute, Three Thirteen
  • Alexander Ivanov
    Key Cast
    "Danny"
  • Khrishna Grace
    Key Cast
    "Khrishna"
  • Desi Ivanova
    Key Cast
    "Moni/Assistant"
    Finding Her (2017), Medium Rare (2016)
  • Sevdije Kastrati
    Director of Photography
    The Return (2012), The Marriage (2017), The Spearhead Effect (2017)
  • Milen Kirov
    Composer
    Human Error (2004), A Cigar at the Beach (2006)
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Проsлушване
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 19, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Bulgaria
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Bulgarian, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sofia International Film Festival
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Bulgaria
    March 18, 2018
    European Premiere
    Best Festival Shorts
  • Starring Europe Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    May 7, 2018
    Bulgarian Entry Selection
  • Newport Beach Film Festival
    Newport Beach, California
    United States
    April 29, 2018
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cannes Court Metrage
    Cannes
    France
    May 18, 2018
    France Premiere
  • Long Beach Indie International Film, Media, and Music Festival
    Long Beach
    United States
    September 1, 2018
    Official Selection
  • London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 13, 2018
    Special Mention
  • Los Angeles Lift-Off Online
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 18, 2018
    Official Selection
  • Sydney Indie Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    October 27, 2018
    Australian Premiere
    Best Female Lead
Director Biography - Sarah Jean Kruchowski

Sarah Jean is a writer/director who has also written for Lifetime, Bad Robot and Sony. This year, Sarah also directed two episodes of ABC 20/20's IN AN INSTANT, which each won their night in summer 2017. In addition, she's written and directed commercials for Cheerios, Hamburger Helper, Delta, Motts and 3M, as well as several shorts, one of which premiered at the Palm Springs Shortfest 2015.

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Director Statement

When Maria first brought me her script I was immediately excited. For years I’ve been advocating for underrepresented actors to produce their own content. If Hollywood doesn’t want to cast you in their films, screw it, make your own! A declaration, I readily admit, is easier said than done. But, that is exactly what Maria did, writing a role for herself and showcasing both her talent and culture.

It was truly a honor to be part of telling her story of life as a Bulgarian immigrant, mother, and artist and hope it inspires others to step outside from the entertainment stereotypes and make their own truth. In this country, now more than ever we need to understand each other and be compassionate to one another's situations. An overwhelming task to be sure, but one we hope to help contribute to by sharing one personal story at a time.