GRIEF

“GRIEF”, follows the life and sudden death of Kari Hartnett, a fragile honors student, who decides that suicide is the only way out.

After her death you are then taken on a journey into the lives of her friends and family. It is then that you'll gain a better perspective on how one person’s death truly does impact those around them in profound and surreal ways. The mind is a wonderful thing with many checks and balances including a mental process for dealing with death, also known as the stages of grief. Our lives force us to handle the passing of a loved one in many different ways and each character in this story is no different. Each will be taken on a journey of internal truth, reflection, and self-realization in order to move past their loss. The question is who will succumb to grief and who will not.

  • Kevin R. Phipps
    Director
    Friday the 13th Part 3 : The Memoriam Documentary, My Sekret War
  • Ruben Angelo
    Producer
    Tank Girl, Boys on the Side
  • Jason Wiechert
    Producer
    Shatter, Astoria
  • Colleen Hartnett
    Key Cast
    "Kari"
    7 Hours in Heaven, After World
  • Jarod Anderson
    Key Cast
    "Les"
    Astray, Durants Never Closes
  • Melissa Ann Marie Farley
    Key Cast
    "Sharon"
    Believe, Silent Hill (Internal Prison)
  • Michael Hanelin
    Key Cast
    "Mark"
    Edgar Allen Poe's: The Cast, Killing Margery Keller
  • Ruben Angelo
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
    H.O.P.E, A Horse for Summer
  • Jane Fendelman
    Key Cast
    "Linney"
    Day on Bleaker Street, Trial 2020
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    2 hours 33 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 13, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    80,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    FHD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kevin R. Phipps

Mr. Phipps began his professional career in the 1990's as a graphic and digital artist working on publications such as X-Men and GI Joe
comics. His passion to grow and create a well rounded foundation for himself led him to another pivotal decision, authoring a children's book titled "Hergbert: The Not So Scary Monster", which received great reviews as well as an impressive fan following.

During the drafting phase of his second book Mr. Phipps decided to take a break from writing, a decision that would change his life forever. As an avid lover of film and the filmmaking process, an opportunity presented itself in the form of directing an independent film. He found the passion he had been looking for all along and the rest they say is history.

Kevin's directing and assistant directing projects, to-date, include a slew of independent feature films, music videos, and national commercials. Most notably his recent work on the feature film ”Grief “ ,"Coyote Requiem", the TV pilot "H.O.P.E", several commercials such as Kellogg’s, Vanish in London, Oil of Olay, Cigna, Canal+ which is now C-More, Quest, Head and Shoulders to name a few.

He continually pushes the envelope at all levels to ensure the artistry in his work creates a world that captivates the audience. "Grief" is his latest feature project, written by Kevin, the story digs deep into the idea of surreal reality, similar to David Cronenberg's work.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As I sit here thinking about the shooting of “Grief” I can’t help but think that this is a film that everyone can relate to. We have all, in some way shape or form, small or big been affected by the grieving process. Whether it be a three year old child who’s whole world that was wrapped up in their parents died as they left to go to work, to the teenage years when we lost our first love. Most of us will at some point or another lose someone close to us to the greatest adventure yet: Death.

When a contact at the Sundance Institute, who shall remain nameless, came to me asking about “Grief”, I told them it was just barely a thought in my head and I was just starting the writing process. That said, they were highly intrigued by the idea that we get to see the aftermath of someone taking their life and how it affects five family and friends according to the five layers of grief. They asked for the finished script in a month, so the journey started and I never looked back.

Here we are today; a screenplay that I was most surprised to come out of me; a film about a young honor student who is loving and caring for the people around her; who one night gets brutally raped. What happens next is a surreal journey of a woman who takes her own life and her family and friends who each in their own way deal with this very sad circumstance.

After finishing the screenplay I asked over 30 acting friends to come in and read it out loud so I could see the drama unfold. I found that we had struck gold. Everyone had said this was a very impactful screenplay, so much so that we had Webb Pickersgill, an Emmy award winning Director of Photography on board to capture the film. I was also very fortunate to cast several soon to be known actors, including actor Gabrielle Stone, daughter of actor Dee Wallace from Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” as well as multiple award winning players and crew members.

This isn’t a straight drama by any means, it’s a surreal drama impacted by the reality of the circumstances within it. It’s a punch
you in the stomach journey depicted metaphorically and realistically. Some make it through, some don’t but rest assured this is one rollercoaster ride that will grab a hold of you and make you rethink what life means and how one person can have such an impact on the world around them in life and death.

Myself along with the rest of the amazing cast and crew are putting
our hearts and souls into this film. We invite you to go on this very
personal journey with us. At the end of the day we are connected in some way and every choice like a rock thrown into a still lake will make ripples in the lives around you.

Much love and respect,
Kevin R. Phipps
Writer/Director of Grief