Beauty Mark Explained

Beauty Mark
Director:Harris Doran
Producer:Bridget Berger
Penny Edmiston
Harris Doran
Corey Moosa
Kiley Lane Parker
Screenplay:Harris Doran
Cinematography:Karina Silva
Starring:Auden Thornton
Catherine Curtin
Laura Bell Bundy
Jeff Kober
Madison Iseman
Deirdre Lovejoy
Music:Ben Sollee
Editing:Harris Doran
Saira Haider
Production Companies:Madison Square Films
The Group Entertainment
in association with Hideout Pictures
Distributor:The Orchard
Runtime:87 minutes[1]
Country:United States
Language:English

Beauty Mark is a 2017 American drama film written and directed by Harris Doran. Inspired by true events, the film follows a poverty-stricken young mother who has to get money from a man from her abusive past in order to save her family. The film explores the interconnected themes of abuse, cycles of abuse, systemic poverty, addiction, and race.

The film won multiple awards including the Jury Prize for "Breakout Performance" for its star Auden Thornton at the Los Angeles Film Festival premiere, the Ultra Indie Film Award at Woodstock Film Festival for its director Harris Doran, and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Austin Film Festival.

Plot

Set in the Portland area of downtown Louisville, Kentucky, the film follows Angie Simms (Auden Thornton), a poverty-stricken young mother taking care of her three-year-old son Trey (Jameson Fowler) and her alcoholic mother (Catherine Curtin). She works at a convenience store which Lorraine (Laura Bell Bundy), a dancer at a local club, frequents. Lorraine insists the men "ain't using me, I'm using them." Angie finds out the house her family is living in is condemned and they must move immediately. Out of options, she decides to try to sue Bruce (Jeff Kober) a man who abused her as a child, only to find out that at twenty-four, she is one year past the statute of limitations under Kentucky law.

She seeks help from Zachariah (Radney Foster) the father of a childhood friend, Pastor Hodges (Deirdre Lovejoy), Kaylee (Paten Hughes) a childhood acquaintance, and Pam (Madison Iseman) a girl a few years younger than she.

Cast

Release

The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival[3] and was shown at Woodstock Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, SENE Film, Music & Art Festival. The film was acquired by The Orchard and released On Digital and On Demand May 22, 2018.

Critical reception

Director Harris Doran was shortlisted for the Independent Spirit Awards Someone To Watch Award for his work on Beauty Mark. A day after its digital release, the film hit #14 on the iTunes Top Independent Film chart.

Ashley Judd said of the film, "Powerful film. Survivors must no longer be silent."

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyCategoryRecipients Result
2017Los Angeles Film Festival[4] Best FilmBeauty Mark
Special Jury Prize: Breakout PerformanceAuden Thornton
Woodstock Film Festival[5] Best Ultra Indie AwardHarris Doran
Twin Cities Film FestivalBest FilmBeauty Mark
Best ActressAuden Thornton
Austin Film Festival[6] Audience Award: Narrative FeatureBeauty Mark
St. Louis International Film FestivalEmerging DirectorHarris Doran
Bahamas International Film FestivalBest Film - New Visions AwardBeauty Mark
2018Annapolis Film FestivalBest Narrative FeatureBeauty Mark
San Luis Obispo International Film FestivalBest Feature FilmBeauty Mark
SENE Film, Music and Art FestivalBest Feature FilmBeauty Mark
Best ActressAuden Thornton

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beauty Mark . beautymarkfilm.com.
  2. Web site: Beauty Mark (2017) - IMDb. .
  3. Web site: L.A. Film Festival competition lineups mix familiar faces with fresh discoveries. . 9 May 2017.
  4. Web site: Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils Winners. . 22 June 2017.
  5. Web site: Fiercely Independent 2017 Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Award Winners Announced.
  6. Web site: Austin Film Festival Announces Winners of 2017 Hiscox Audience & Courage Awards. 7 November 2017.