Private Project

Not the Same Clarence

A man must come to terms with his fathers Alzheimer's disease.

  • Brian Russell
    Director
    Tommy and the Guru, Yo Andrea, Past Prologue
  • Samuel B Russell
    Director
    Be Nice to Fish
  • Brian Russell
    Writer
    Past Prologue
  • Samuel B Russell
    Writer
    Hard Waves, Be Nice to Fish
  • Brian Russell
    Producer
  • Lisa DeTullio Russell
    Producer
  • Samuel B Russell
    Producer
  • James Naughton
    Key Cast
    "Clarence"
    And Just Like That, Planet of the Apes, Chicago (Tony Award) City of Angels (Tony Award)
  • Greg Naughton
    Key Cast
    "Gideon"
    The Independents
  • Delissa Reynolds
    Key Cast
    "María"
    Orange is the New Black, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Good Fight
  • Sam Duncan
    Key Cast
    "Young Gideon"
    Oliver! (Broadway), What We Do in the Shadows, Evil Lives Here
  • David A Gregory
    Key Cast
    "Young Clarence"
    Uncoupled, Deception, One Life to Live
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 24 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.9:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Chain NYC Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    August 12, 2023
    Premiere
    Winner - Best Actor, James Naughton
  • Mystic Film Festival
    Mystic
    United States
    October 21, 2023
    Winner - Best Screenplay
  • New York Long Island Film Festival
    Lindenhurst
    United States
    October 21, 2023
    Winner - Best Director
Director Biography - Brian Russell, Samuel B Russell

Brian Russell grew up in Connecticut. He is a Director and Director of Photography who knows he should focus, but loves all kinds of production. Now in his 50s, he is hoping it isn't to late to make some movies! He is also thrilled to be part of this father-son writing and directing team.

Sam B. Russell is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY where he works professionally as a video editor. Sam writes, directs, and edits narrative short films with the goal of sharing the ideas important to him, exploring the medium's potential, and connecting with other creative people.

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Director Statement

This story began years ago when Brian visited an older friend on a memory care ward, and the friend actually said the words now in the film: "I know the code. I can escape." From that seed, sprung the initial concept for this story. But it became our first-hand experience when Sam's grandfather (and Brian's father-in-law) began experiencing memory loss, and was subsequently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This story about a father and son, written and directed by a father and a son, and starring a father and a son, tells a deeply personal story. Currently, every third person in the United States will suffer some form of memory loss. We have witnessed first hand the brutal toll memory loss takes on the sufferer, but also the family, loved-ones and caregivers. But we also know there is hope, and the deep humanity which exists inside all of us, and each one of us can make a difference. Having attended over 40 festivals in the past two years while loving every second of connection, this father and son team cannot wait to bring this story to people, and have all of those amazing conversations with community members and other filmmakers alike!