Life, death, and concepts of love entwine in the film “Grace and Grit.” Set among a period that prided itself on self-discovery among ubiquitous overindulgence, the project amplifies one attempt at understanding human connections. Based on the book by Ken Wilber, this true story recreates the details that followed Wilber and wife Treya’s heartbreaking journey.
Writer and director Sebastian Siegel came to the project with resolve towards its subjects. The dedication only grew as he plotted out the script and subsequent production. “ I think of this film in some way as a poem. It’s a love letter. My aim has been for it to seduce the viewer into a state where you get lost beyond time,” the director said of his approach. “ I want you to fall in love with these two beings; fall with them, laugh with them, taste the irony, relish the hope, and feel the unfairness.” Some of that creative freedom comes from the many titles he assumes in the film. More than just a writer and director, Siegel acts as a producer with Eric Brenner and Lucas Jarach.
Mena Suvari and Stuart Townsend star as the ill-fated couple. Together the pair create an intricate rhythm highlighting the relationship’s personal dynamics. It also gives both actors a chance to explore their characters, each role providing a level of emotional depth that heightens the story’s basic themes. They are surrounded by a strong cast that includes Frances Fisher, Mariel Hemingway, Rebekah Graf, Nick Stahl, and Brian McGovern.
The film’s official synopsis:
Grace and Grit tells the true love story of iconic philosopher Ken Wilber (Townsend) and his wife Treya (Suvari) in 1980s California as they fall madly in love and are faced with illness and challenges that threaten to tear them apart.
A true story is at the heart of “Grace and Grit.” The film is scheduled to open in theaters, on digital, and on-demand on June 4. Get your first look at the project below.