Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Regal Essex Crossing. Manhattan New York —- Writer, Director, and Actress, Andrea Lee Christensen (Riley on Power Book II: Ghost and Lulu in Snapchat’s Two Sides: Unfaithful), stars in the absorbing short horror-drama thriller, PRONE.
PRONE, (Produced by Lucca De Oliveira; Cinematography, Joshua Ladd; Editor, Dylan Gansen) bases its story in Los Angeles, California, and centers its focus on Aubrey, a struggling up-and-coming actress, who out of desperation, sells her soul to the Devil, portrayed by Cornelia Hanes, (Anaconda, Los Angeles and The Devil Sits on Both Shoulders) in return for her big break in Hollywood.
Aubrey’s Tinseltown dream spirals into a Faustian Nightmare upon realizing this rite of passage, establishing her career in film, meant losing parts of herself along the way. Foreshadowing the classic moral dilemma, Jules, Aubrey’s long-term ‘friend’, played by Bayley Corman (as seen in The Hatred, The Matchmaker’s Playbook, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Modern Family, Jane the Virgin, and The Young and The Restless), introduces her to a major film producer, Richie, all while weaving a sexually suggestive narrative that Aubrey should make herself more available to Richie to increase her chances of landing a role in his anticipated new film. The three have dinner, and Aubrey is coaxed into spending the night with Richie, portrayed by Faruk Amireh (notably performing in Equalizer, MacGyver, and Chicago P.D) in exchange for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Taiwanese-American Director vividly depicts the shift of innocence to impurity on the road to stardom; and the consequential lesson of ‘selling your soul, to gain the world’. Andrea’s on-screen presence captivates the viewers and is effortlessly supported by her performance, which is both believable and engaging.
In a remarkable way, Andrea’s range as an actress is highlighted in this film, showcasing her ability to depict the internal struggles that her character encounters through her portal as Aubrey. Andrea’s resolute performance takes the viewers on a clear journey through her clouded dilemma and begs the viewer to mercy in her fall from grace. The Writer-Director takes such an appealing and humanistic approach in her performance that the audience empathically surrenders and mourns her downfall.
The film emphasizes and cautions us to consider that a ‘lack’ mindset leads us into personal torment and misery. PRONE, Andrea Lee Christensen’s first short film, is currently on a festival run with screenings throughout the US.
Andrea Lee is on a personal mission to tell stories that wed her Taiwanese-American heritage with high-concept worlds. “In PRONE, I wanted to portray the painful dichotomy of Hollywood: the allure of one’s life, changing overnight––as well as the desperation that hopes can breed; the shadowy characters behind the scenes preying on people exactly like me and you. I wanted to write a story about the damage we can cause ourselves when we feel we’ve run out of options and how the pressure we apply on ourselves can feel Supernatural.” Supernatural and almost paranormal elements are depicted in the film, likely citing Andrea’s interest in fantasy novels and cultural undertones. Notably, Andrea Lee Christensen holds a BFA in Drama from NYU, where she wrote and directed her first web series, “Full Movie Here,” which was profiled in Refinery29, IndieWire, AV Club, and Glamour Magazine.
PRONE is currently on the festival circuit, most recently featured in the Katra Film Series hosted at the Regal Essex Crossing in Manhattan from September 30th – October 3rd. Katra Film Series is an independent screenwriting film festival dedicated to championing the next generation of talented emerging filmmakers and content creators worldwide.
The next screening for PRONE will be at the Newport Film Beach Festival, on October 19th. PRONE will be made available online upon completion of its festival run.
Click to view the Official Trailer For Prone
