Based on a true story, the new drama “Lost Transmissions” starring Simon Pegg and Juno Temple is an intimate look at human emotions and the devastating reality of treating mental illness in a system that doesn’t seem equipped to deal with it.
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That said, mental illness is not an easy sell so you’ll have to forgive Gravitas Ventures for selling this film— that made its world premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival—as more of a movie about a young songwriter (Temple), the superficial Katy Perry-like pop singer who wants her songs (Alexandra Daddario) and the music producer friend who doesn’t think she should sell herself out like that while struggling with his own demons (Pegg).
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Here’s the official synopsis which hints more at the true story of the film.
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Hannah, a shy songwriter, discovers that her friend, respected record producer Theo Ross, has lapsed on his medication for schizophrenia. Hannah rallies a group of friends to help commit Theo to a psychiatric facility, chasing him as he outruns his colorful delusions through the glamour and grit of Los Angeles. From the highs of rock ‘n’ roll to rock bottom, it’s a story of the unsung heroes behind the hits and the inadequacies of our mental health system.
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“Lost Transmissions” stars Simon Pegg, Juno Temple, Jamie Harris, Rebecca Hazlewood, Tao Okamoto, Bria Vinaite, Alexandra Daddario and is directed by Katharine O’Brien. In fact, the entire story is based on a true-life one that the filmmaker went through. She then transposed and fictionalized the story by moving it into the L.A. music scene to give it a new dimension and perhaps in order to be respectful of the original people involved, given the sensitive subject matter.
Gravistas Ventures will release the film March 13 in theaters and on-demand. Watch the trailer below.
