The Promise of the Butterfly
Set in Chicago, we meet Doran, part-time flower delivery boy and avid journal keeper who spends the day pondering life by bike. Caught between pressures from his mother and his undecided future, he encounters a mute dancer that takes him on an unexpected journey into himself.
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Meredith KirkmanDirector
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Andrew TamarkinWriter
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Kirkman Tamarkin ProductionsProducer
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Hunter DayKey Cast"Doran"
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Jordan OmeishKey Cast"Bea"
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Pooja Prakash RaiKey Cast"Jules"
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Julie MedinaKey Cast"Adele"
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Anna RoemerKey Cast"Laverne"
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Nasser HabashKey Cast"Nasser "
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Prakash Raj ProductionsExecutive ProducersIdolle Ramayana (It's a Good Ramayana), Mana Oori Ramayanam (Our Village's Ramayana)
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Connie KincaidExecutive ProducersGrease 2, Pennies From Heaven
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Chicago College of Performing ArtsExecutive Producers
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Escalate Dance and Theatre StudioExecutive Producers
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Vivek VaidesswaranExecutive Producers
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Doe BrowningExecutive Producers
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Alex and Ellen TamarkinExecutive Producers
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Jennifer Gallagher and Steve RingExecutive Producers
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Meredith KirkmanDirector of Photography
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Andrew TamarkinOriginal Score
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Isaiah SandermanCo-Composers
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John GoldenCo-Composers
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Todd AulwurmCo-Composers
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Clarice TaylorCo-Composers
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Matthew BrdlikEditor
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Meredith KirkmanExecutive Editor
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Matthew FilipekColorist
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Marcus OmeishSound Designer
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Meredith KirkmanChoreographer
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Geramie Causley, Mystery Street Recording CompanyAudio Engineer
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Zoe TamarkinArt Director
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Julia JayneUnit Production Manager
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Project Type:Feature
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Genres:Independent, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Dance
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Runtime:1 hour 43 minutes
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Completion Date:May 6, 2019
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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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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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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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Vail Film FestivalVail
United States
August 16, 2019
World Premiere
Official Selection
Meredith Kirkman's directing and choreography credits include: The Grand Ole Opry Show Choir Nationals, Stagedoor Manor in New York, Chicago College of the Performing Arts, pop-up performances at the Vail Dance Festival, Vail Performing Arts Academy, and Vail Valley Foundation’s Star Dancing Gala. Kirkman was recognized as a Chicago emerging choreographer in the Endowed Movement Showcase. Her film work includes: Behind the Scenes Video for FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, Photography and Cinematography for Chicago College of Performing Arts Productions, Dance Campaigns for Vail Dance Festival, and "Finding Home: Stories from the Middle East".
She is currently founding HER Film Camp that provides middle school and high school young girls and non-binary youth an opportunity to learn the process of filmmaking in a two summer camp that will debut three original short films.
For her debut feature film, "The Promise of the Butterfly", she took on the roles of Director, Choreographer, Director of Photography, Producer, and Executive Editor. Her dedication, vision, and alliance with Andrew Tamarkin created the spark for this passion project.
She was born and raised in Vail, CO, and a received a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Emphasis from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Alternative communication inspired both the writing and direction of this film. Doran, the story's protagonist, discovers his strengths and weakness for the first time through experiences with his new friend, Bea, a beautiful dancer who happens not to speak. As their quiet relationship grows, they communicate the old-fashioned way—writing and dancing to express how they feel. In this day and age, we have lost the art of writing and the magic of movement as methods of communication. There is more power than you think in a simple curtsey, an unexpected waltz, or a journal lined with poetry. This film sheds light on the wonders writing and dance can provide for human connection.
We hope to inspire coming-of-age audiences that expressing yourself in different ways is not only good for you, but can lead you to a dream career. The film celebrates the decision to be brave in the face of disability, to encourage our audience to find assurance in the unknown, and to inspire an open-minded attitude toward each individual's unique and artistic path. “The Promise of the Butterfly” was not only a coming-of-age story for the film’s characters, written by Andrew Tamarkin, it was a coming-of-age journey for all of the creatives involved. Evolving from a mighty team of two, Tamarkin and I ignited a community unified by passion, most all under the age of 35. In our story, the alternative artist seeks to find purpose; as such, we found purpose side by side creating the story. This truly made for a genuine perspective. The original score carries the motion picture along with classical, jazz, and French sounds, interspersed with contemporary artists including Big Wild, Hey Marseilles, and Hippocampus. This slice-of-life story slowly reveals the plot, hidden analogies, and magical realism.