Private Project

Jori

An isolated teen grapples with the responsibility of caring for her critically ill father.

  • Hunter R. Adams
    Director
    CRUSH
  • Hunter R. Adams
    Writer
    CRUSH
  • Fanshen Cox
    Producer
  • Mackenzie Huffman
    Producer
  • Chloe Jewell
    Key Cast
    "Jori"
  • Molly Del Rossi
    Key Cast
    "Eve"
  • Chris LaFever
    Key Cast
    "Cal"
    CRUSH
  • Tyler Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Hunter R. Adams

Hunter R. Adams is an independent filmmaker and recent graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. After coming out as transgender in 2020, Adams has focused his energy into work that represents the LGBTQIA+ community. Adams’ first love is screenwriting, but after the creation of his first original film, “CRUSH,” he discovered a newfound love for directing. He is thrilled to be working again in Springfield with much of the same creative team. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, painting, and spending time with his border collie, Olive.

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Director Statement

“Jori” was inspired by what I refer to as the “feminine burden of care”. As I progressed further into my transition, my social and internal world changed and shifted. I became painfully aware of just how disproportionately women and AFAB people (Assigned Female At Birth) like myself are trained to be emotional and physical caretakers, while men and AMAB people (Assigned Male At Birth) are often not even given the tools. “Jori” is a story about obsession, isolation, devotion, and duty. In my mind, as a queer person in the rural midwest, Jori may not have been particularly close with her father before his illness. Now, he’s all she has, and all she knows of herself is how she can help him. Jori lives to save people: her dad, her girlfriend, even her lost cat. But can she save herself—and should she?
“Jori” will mean something unique to each viewer. The film’s goal was not to spell out a message, but to communicate a feeling. I know, when I wrote it, I was feeling a wide spectrum of things! If you’ve ever felt alone, struggled to accomplish a goal, spiraled in anxiety, or needed someone to lean on, this is a story that will resonate with you.