Parallel Chords (Overture) (2015)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Writer/Producer/Director Catherine Dudley Rose shows true talent is story development. Parallel Chords was an amazing film to experience, not only for the production value, but a story that most audiences can relate to. This is a very moving story of a young woman with ambitious goals in life, but struggles from traditional values of leaving the nest. There is a strong cinematic presence in the film, that really conveys the inner struggles of our protagonist, and her journey. The cinematography is so compelling, that my eyes were glued to the screen. Parallel Chords is a brilliant example filming at its best, and I look forward to more from Catherine Dudley Rose.

This short film is beautifully shot and does a great job of depicting the inner turmoil of a young woman. While her father's desire for her to pursue a musical path could be called singular, driven, and focused it could also be seen as obsessive and maddening. His lip quivers and he wrings his hands, in recognition of his own limitations, seeking to overcome them through his offspring. It's a hell of burden to place on anyone. Her own passions overshadowed and yearning to break free, we see her struggle and feel it as if it were our own. It's not necessarily a comfortable feeling.Expect to feel the jagged edges... the jarring, fragmented pieces of a young life seeking approval and only granted temporary reprieve and rest.

I had the chance to see this film at the San Pedro International Film Festival and let me tell you, it moved me. It is a magical experience when you watch a film and you see how all of the elements come together so perfectly. This is Parallel Chords. Everything from the sound to the editing left an impression on me. Also, it is with perfect clarity how much heart Catherine-Dudley Rose put into this story. The father- daughter relationship had so many alluring qualities. I especially enjoyed how much the music/sound of the film was a character of its own. Rightly so. I hope more people see this film and experience it's strong story-telling appeal.

Catherine Dudley-Rose's short film, Parallel Chords, is a stunning and beautifully told, original story. As a writer, Dudley-Rose blends character, situation and metaphor to share a compelling story of a young woman seeking her own voice. As a filmmaker, Dudley-Rose adds an inspiring level of visual detail to this complex tale. Dudley-Rose is able to take the audience on a complicated and surprising journey. There is no predicting the outcome of this story, and better yet, there is no desire to predict its end, for the audience is caught up in each moment of this film. There is no desire to rush towards its end, because each moment is delicious and to be savored. I can't wait to see more from this magnificent filmmaker.