A laundry room stand-off between two neighbors that results in an anxiety attack when they discover broken dryers.
In these times where all people seem to be doing is passing judgement on others (particularly on social media), Anna Baumgarten takes a step back approach with her new film ‘Line Dry’. And it feels great. Anna wrote and produced highly gripping short ‘Disfluency‘ a few years back, which she is now turning onto a feature film. ‘Line Dry’ is about a laundry room stand-off between two neighbors that results in an anxiety attack when they discover broken dryers. Starring Ariela Barer and Katie C’etta.
We pass judgement on others. All. The. Time. He’s a jerk, she’s a dick. We honk at people on the street and flick people off for cutting us off…or at least I do (I’ve made a lot of progress on this, I promise). We think it’s not me. It’s them.
Line Dry is About Both Sides of The Coin
But sometimes I am them – foggy-brained, not able to see past the task at hand – not on purpose, but because anxiety has invaded my brain and filled it to the brim. Line Dry is about both sides of the coin: the flicked-off and the flicker (and the awkward humanness in-between). Sometimes the dryer is broken and we need to cry. Sometimes there’s nothing to do but line dry our feelings…with a little help.
I haven’t directed in a few years, so in preparation to shoot my first feature film Disfluency, I wrote and directed Line Dry in my apartment building with a few friends to knock the dust off of my directing hat. When I write, it’s an idea that’s been nagging at me, a story that wants to be told. This was one of those, and I’m proud of this little gem. I’m happy to share it while we’ve been cooped up and are in need of a little kindness from one another. Thanks for watching!
Note from DP John Fisher
We were shooting in a tiny laundry room and wanted to stay mobile, so gaffer @nick.t.perry rigged us three quasar globes overhead and banged them into the washing machines for a lovely bounce. Thanks to @umuima for sharps.