THE NEW YEAR PARADE
Directed by Tom Quinn
United States, 87 Minutes
Drama
SAT APR 18, 3:00pm; TUE APR 21, 7:00pm
In a manner reminiscent of Robert Altman, the breakup of a family plays out against the backdrop of Philadelphia’s annual Mummers Parade in this realistic and gritty kitchen-table drama. Over the course of a year, while the South Philadelphia String Band strives to improve upon its poor showing in past parades, team captain Mike McMonogul (Andrew Conway) watches his children struggle with the dissolution of his marriage amid hurtful gossip of their mother’s indiscretions. Sixteen-year-old Kat (Jennifer Welsh) and her older brother Jack (Greg Lyons) grapple with the painstaking reality that family value, tradition and stability are crumbling around them. Kat tries by sheer willpower to keep the family intact while Jack takes on the responsibility of mediating between his parents and keeping an eye out for his little sister. The simplest joys amidst the heartache can be more uplifting than any made-up Hollywood ending and director Tom Quinn’s documentary-like intimacy is captured in each take, making The New Year Parade a stunning slice of true life.
Filmography: First Feature
Awards: Ashland Independent Film Festival's Independent Film Award for Best Acting Ensemble, BendFilm Festival's Jury Prize for Best Director & Best Supporting Actress, Slamdance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative
Shown with the short film
Empty House
Directed by Sean Christensen
United States, 5 minutes
Based on a true story, this experimental short depicts a family torn apart by divorce as told through the perspectives of the house and furniture that they used to own.
