The Four Daniels
Processing a traumatic breakup, Sophie searches for love through sex, sock puppets, and dating multiple men with the same name.
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L.C. HendersonDirector
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L.C. HendersonWriter
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L.C. HendersonProducer
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Chico D. MejiaProducer
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Jack McLainProducer
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Andrew Stitt KingProducer
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Beatriz Carreno CorianoProducer
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Lori KovacevichKey Cast"Sophie"
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Andrew Stitt KingKey Cast"Adam"
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Randy McGilvaryKey Cast"Daniel 1"
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Orlando JamesKey Cast"Daniel 2"
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Omar LewisKey Cast"Daniel 3"
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Romantic Comedy, LGBTQIA
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Runtime:12 minutes 56 seconds
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Completion Date:January 1, 2024
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Production Budget:8,000 USD
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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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Aspect Ratio:2:35
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Longleaf Film FestivalRaleigh, NC
United States
May 11, 2024
2024 Narrative Short: Best Comedy -
Cinequeer Film NightAtlanta, Georgia
United States
June 30, 2024
Audience Choice Award -
aGLIFF Film FestivalAustin, Texas
United States
August 25, 2024 -
Virginia Queer Film FestivalNorfolk, VA
United States
September 21, 2024 -
Hub City Film FestJackson, TN
United States
September 26, 2024 -
Femme Filth FestLos Angeles, CA
United States
September 27, 2024 -
Appalachian Queer Film FestivalShepherdstown, WV
United States
September 28, 2024 -
Raleigh Arts and Film FestivalRaleigh, NC
United States
October 5, 2024
Born and raised in the small town of Mount Airy (or as Andy Griffith fans refer to it, Mayberry), North Carolina, Lauren "L.C." Henderson tumbled into film school in 2014 after she realized her career as a musician wasn't going to work out.
In 2016, L.C. produced the short film BLACKHEAD, her first project as a Producer. From there, she produced the short TETHERED, which won the Long Leaf Film Festival Judges’ Choice Award for Narrative Film in Raleigh, NC. After graduating from film school, she produced the feature film DUKELAND, which is now available via Vimeo and your local Pirate Bay.
In 2024, L.C. made her directorial debut with the short film THE FOUR DANIELS. Her style focuses on stories of queer love, often turning the expectations of typical rom-coms for marginalized groups that have not had a chance to shine on screen. This style continued to the short film I REALLY WISH MERCURY WASN'T IN RETROGRADE RIGHT NOW, which lives as part of the exhibit at Meow Wolf in Grapevine, TX.
Growing up, whenever I'd have a bad day, I would run home after school and turn on a rom-com. Whether it was MADE OF HONOR, 13 GOING ON 30, or even FATHER OF THE BRIDE -- so many of these genre films romanticized a life I always wanted. The choices were always the same: her career vs her lover, her family vs her fiancee, and my personal favorite, Mr. Right vs. Mr. Wrong. She always changes, settling her expectations for love. She always ends up with the same heteronormative lover. And in these movies, that means she always wins.
THE FOUR DANIELS started off as a joke between Jack McLain (producer) and I -- what if we made a romantic comedy where, instead of the girl having to choose which man she wanted, she explored ALL of her options? At the time of writing THE FOUR DANIELS, I was unemployed, confused, trying to find answers at the height of the Pandemic. I wanted to imagine a world where choices still existed, where the world had never stopped spinning. I was scared, but through it all, I had THE FOUR DANIELS to keep me going.
What started off as a silly romantic comedy turned into a way to process my grief, my trauma, and my love for the craft of filmmaking. Now that we’re on the other side of the Pandemic, anything feels possible. This film was the first dip into what my style has evolved into -- stories of queer love, hyper-colorful to represent the beautiful world around us, and at times, a direct rip-off of Gregg Araki.
I hope that THE FOUR DANIELS serves as a reminder of the divinity of self-love and an empowering statement on sex and sexuality in the 21st century. It's a film my cast, crew and I poured our hearts and souls into, and it's turned into a punk-rock feminist reminder of the power we have within ourselves. Most importantly though, THE FOUR DANIELS is loud and clear about one thing: at the end of the day, we will be loved, and eventually, we will be okay. Thank you for listening.