2019 Drama Films: Midwestern

Midwestern by Rebecca Joelson
San Diego, CA (Milwaukee Premiere)

Running Time: 5 minutes
Screening Time: Sat, Sept 7th 4:30pm
Drama 

Midwestern is a labor story. An unemployed worker combs through his work history trying to figure out what went wrong. Despite working hard and doing things “right”, he finds himself perpetually dispossessed. With a Wisconsin work ethic and traditional labor values, he digs through modern rhetoric and dwindling opportunity to find his path forward. 

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Director's Bio:

I have loved cameras from the very beginning. Nicknamed "Little Miss Hollywood" by my grandparents, I always loved posing for the camera. When I finally got behind the lens I fell head over heels in love with telling stories with a camera. Directing visuals and people brings purpose to waking up every day even when all the work doesn't let me sleep at night. I have directed and photographed legends like Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, Justin Bieber, Willie Nelson, Colin Kaepernick, and Ken Griffey Jr, just to name a few.

Director's Statement:

This film speaks to the hard working, blue-collar Americans who have been laid off from the factory jobs that America was built on. These slowly dying industries are disrupted by time and political tides. When our character hits rock bottom, he realizes that the only way to get his life back on track is to clean up his act and look for a new job. Cleaning up his home and himself become a metaphor for personal growth and change. What he doesn’t realize is that technology has grown beyond his skill-sets and the jobs he’s qualified for no longer hold a place in our modern society.