The Atoning
Synopsis:
Vera, Ray, and Sam, a seemingly normal family, are haunted by more than mere ghosts. The lingering horror of their past threatens their ability to function as a loving family until they become enlightened by a mystical encounter. From that moment on, they’re thrust into a horror worse than anything they’ve ever experienced. Personal demons manifest and tear the family apart from the inside out as they come to terms with their past.
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Michael WilliamsDirectorOzLand, Kane
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Michael WilliamsWriterOzLand, Kane
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Michael LaCourProducer
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Michael WilliamsProducerOzLand, Earthrise, Kane
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Virginia NewcombKey CastReparation, 3 Fingers
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Cannon BosargeKey CastTrue Heroes, Kane
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Michael LaCourKey CastTexas Heart, 94 Feet, Forced Move
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Project Type:Feature
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Genres:Horror, Suspense, Drama, Thriller
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Runtime:1 hour 29 minutes
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Completion Date:January 1, 2017
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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:Blackmagic 4K
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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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Oxford Film FestivalOxford Film Festival
United States
February 18, 2017
World Premiere -
Magnolia Film FestivalStarkville, MS
United States
March 4, 2017
Best Home Grown Film -
Tupelo Film FestivalTupelo, MS
United States
April 22, 2017
1st Place Feature Film, The Ron Tibbett Award for Best Mississippi Film -
Azalea Film FestivalMobile, AL
United States
April 1, 2017
Best Feature Film -
International Horror Hotel Film FestivalOhio
United States
June 16, 2017
2nd Place Suspensel Thriller -
FestivalSouth Film ExpoHattiesburg, MS
United States
June 4, 2017
Best Feature Film, Best Actress (Virginia Newcomb), Best Cinematography
Distribution Information
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Gravitas VenturesCountry: United StatesRights: All Rights
Michael Williams began creating short films in 2004 while in high school. Since then, he has been consistently creating short films and screening them at film festivals and film screenings across North America. As a 2009 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Williams was awarded the Top Film Student of 2009 Award.
Williams’ professional career in film began in 2007, and his credits range from assistant camera to director of photography on many independent short and feature length films. Currently, Michael owns Shendopen Productions in West point, MS, continues to write and direct his own independent films, produce films by other regional filmmakers, and works regionally in the film industry primarily as a director of photography.
After writing, directing, and producing over 20 short films, Williams broke into the feature length film territory with his debut, award-winning feature "OzLand". The film went on to premiere and screen theatrically in Hollywood, CA, gain nationwide distribution, and is currently releasing in the international market.
Williams' desire to tell complex stories visually draws him to pursuing a career as a visual story teller. Williams writes and directs films like "OzLand" and his sophomore feature "The Atoning" so that he can share his stories with whoever is interested in watching them.
My first feature film "OzLand" was a passion project that occupied several years of my life. It was an amazing journey and the success of the film opened up a lot opportunities for me and my team. Because of the film's success, I had the fortunate ability to carefully chose what my next film would be. I knew I wanted to tell a very different kind of story and explore very different territories in terms of genre, setting, characters, and cinematography. "The Atoning" fit that mold.
Based on a concept that has been brewing in my head for quite a while, "The Atoning" came together quite fast. I soon realized we were not making your typical horror film. Choosing horror as the genre for my next film was a pretty easy decision considering I wanted to make a film that was more marketable than my previous passion project and be a stepping stone for me and my team. However, if I am going to pour my heart and soul into a film, I have to find ways to make a film my passion even if our goal is to be marketable. I found this to be a great challenge. How do we make a marketable horror film that is also unique, meaningful, and a form of artistic expression for me and my team?
"The Atoning" pulls from a lot of influences but not all of them are horror. It is an elegant horror film that displays a wide variety of "horror" through its exploration of complex themes and characters.
With "The Atoning", I hope the film can be an exciting and intriguing horror film for audiences that look on the surface. For those who want to dig deeper, I hope the film can be meaningful exploration of the film's complexities.