POLARA

On TJ’s 18th birthday, a stranger delivers him a key from his father, last seen as he was hauled off to prison 8 years previously. With the key is the address for a proposed meeting - 3000 miles away and in two weeks. The key unlocks a timeworn 1968 convertible, with a coffin welded to its floor. With each decision that follows, TJ plunges deeper into the mysterious and beautiful landscapes we all navigate – on our own, with our tribe, through the shifting turns of the road ahead.

  • Chaysen Beacham
    Director
    The King of Bloody Fookin' Britain (2023), Murder, Anyone? (2022), The Call ((2020)
  • Bill Haney
    Writer
    Jim Allison: Breakthrough's poster Jim Allison: Breakthrough (2019), Track The Last Mountain (2011), Track American Violet (2008), The Price of Sugar (2007), Track A Life Among Whales (2005)
  • Chaysen Beacham
    Producer
    The King of Bloody Fookin' Britain (2023), Murder, Anyone? (2022), The Call ((2020)
  • Bill Haney
    Producer
    Jim Allison: Breakthrough's poster Jim Allison: Breakthrough (2019), Track The Last Mountain (2011), Track American Violet (2008), The Price of Sugar (2007), Track A Life Among Whales (2005)
  • Finn Haney
    Key Cast
    "TJ"
    William
  • William Chris Sumpter
    Key Cast
    "Jake"
    NYC Dreams, The Midnight Club
  • Katherine Laheen
    Key Cast
    "Maeve"
    We Crashed, She Said, Ramy
  • Paul Guilfoyle
    Key Cast
    "Billy"
    LA Confidential, Don't Look Up, The Man From Rome
  • Ross Partridge
    Key Cast
    "James"
    The Drop, Stranger Things, The Drop, Don't Look Up
  • Tim Disney
    Executive Producers
    Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power, The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales, William, Jim Allison: Breakthrough, American Violet
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 33 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    756,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Scatena & Rosner Films
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Chaysen Beacham

Chaysen Beacham is an award-winning American producer, director, and screenwriter. Chaysen was born in Wilmington, NC, in June of 1984. Home to EUE Screen Gems studios, Wilmington allowed Chaysen an introduction to film and television at a young age. From extra work to featured roles in daytime television shows such as "One Tree Hill," Chaysen developed a loved for cinema. After graduating with degrees in film production and marketing strategies, Chaysen pursued his passion for film. Since graduating, Chaysen has worked on television projects for the BBC, ITV, Discovery Channel, and History Channel.

Since 2017 Chaysen has solely focused on narrative features. Finding success in the theater and significant streaming platforms with titles like (The Outsider, The Call, and Murder, Anyone?).

In 2022, Chaysen embarked on his directorial debut with a coming-of-age film titled "POLARA," which follows an 18-year-old boy on a cross-country journey to get answers from an estranged father. POLARA is written by Bill Haney and Executive Produced by Tim Disney.

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Director Statement

Directing and producing POLARA was a journey in itself. If you ask any seasoned filmmaker to shoot across 13 states over 21 days, they would tell you that you are crazy! Our incredibly talented cast and crew readily accepted the challenge that tested and pushed us all to our creative limits. The challenges we faced included filming during a pandemic, skyrocketing gas prices, and even being robbed at gunpoint were daunting but they also brought out the best in everyone. We were able to capture this touching story alongside the beautiful footage of the open road.

To make this film, we traveled across the country 3 times – one to scout, one to shoot, and a final for pickups and to return the vehicle back to Boston. Two of these trips included driving the picture car which happens to be an antique. The ups and downs were all memorable. And, there are 2 nods to my favorite film “The Goonies” in the shots that I hope other super fans will discover. Filming is always exhausting but the glory of the landscape captured and the open road forced a level of gratitude for the love of everything this film represents.

I am grateful for the hard work, dedication and creativity of the whole team. Together, we were able to turn these challenges into opportunities and capture a unique story that we're proud to share. This film is a testament to the power of perseverance, the beauty of the open road, and the bonds that can be formed in the face of adversity. Even in the toughest of times, we were able to find humor and enjoy the experience, and that is something I will always treasure.