The Story.
Matías was four years old when his mother, Isa, stole him away from his abusive, alcoholic father. Now, as a teenager, he is a seasoned car thief, living with her in a Virginia Beach public housing complex. But, after her sudden and unexpected death, Matías is sent back to Baltimore to live with the father they ran away from over a decade earlier. Returning to the locations of a forgotten childhood, Matias is forced to confront the reemergence of repressed trauma, while coming to terms with his own inability to protect her. sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.
Filmed in Baltimore.
Stephen: This film grew from a reflection on my own childhood experiences, and those of friends and family I knew growing up. I grew up in Baltimore, the only child of a single mother on a minimum-wage salary. I never knew my father, and the notion of how my life might have changed if I was forced to return to him became a central dramatic tenet of the film.
My neighborhood had its share of crime, but growing up, I saw many of those involved as people trying to survive rather than criminals. It was important that the film explore ideas of family within that world without glorifying or demonizing crime. Instead, we wanted to show it as a means to an end for a character grappling with grief, loss and resurfacing trauma.
Production.
Our production budget was tiny: approximately $130,000. (Though don’t quote me on the exact number.)
Due to reshoots, excessive non-stop rain, among a host of other production stories, we filmed approximately five weeks straight, rotating out crew and cast. Sheldon, Stephen, and Marly filmed all the way through.
Supported By.
The film was supported by a Panavision New Filmmaker Production Grant, Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund Production Grant, and a creativity grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. We also received a Maryland Small Film Production Credit/Rebate.