Explore a Journey of Rediscovery with “Roman Pilgrim”

“Roman Pilgrim – The Tale of Wishful Creek” takes audiences on an emotional journey as Roman, portrayed by Christopher Horsey, embarks on a quest to find his lost voice. Alongside his loyal companion Blue, the film weaves a narrative inspired by a real-life Roman who, despite suffering from a stutter, discovers a voice akin to Frank Sinatra when he sings.

I got to interview the film’s director, Anny Slater who shared the roots of the story. Slater revealed that the inspiration came from her friendship with the real-life Roman, whom she met in Sydney, Australia. The two bonded over their shared humor, with Roman’s unique ability to overcome his stutter through singing serving as the inspiration for this cinematic experience.

“Roman Pilgrim – The Tale of Wishful Creek” unfolds along a lonely road, with Roman and Blue seeking refuge at Wishful Creek. Here they encounter a spirit guide, portrayed by Taryn Lalleen, who dances with Roman’s soul. The film explores personal struggles and also aims to comment on reconciliation in Australia at a higher level.

“All of us to one degree or another feel sad and depressed at some point, which means we’ve all been wounded, we’ve all suffered loss, pain, treachery and lost our voice for a time” said Slater. “In the film, Roman actively seeks to find his lost voice and thereby overcome his depression. He bravely ventures into the unknown, with his dog Blue beside him. He is ennobled, even if the battle is lost.”

One of the distinctive features of the film is its minimal use of spoken words, reflecting Roman’s search for his voice. The musical element is curated by jazz impresario James Morrison, adding a layer of emotional resonance to the story. Slater expressed her favorite part of production as witnessing the film come together in the edit room, emphasizing the awe-inspiring process.

However, the journey to bring this unique story to life was not without its challenges. Slater, who worked full-time in a different career, faced difficulties in finding time to shoot the film and coordinate the cast and crew at the preferred location in Broken Hill, New South Wales.

“It also took considerable organization and a dash of luck to co-ordinate so many people to be in the same place on the same days.”

Reflecting on the production process, Slater mentioned that she wouldn’t have done anything differently, emphasizing the submitted version for film festivals and a longer 45-minute version. For aspiring filmmakers, she advised being well-versed in post-production technology and ensuring premium sound quality, emphasizing its critical role in retaining audience attention.

As for future projects, audiences can explore more about Anny Slater and her team’s work by visiting her website at www.moondancepictures.com. Slater’s directorial journey has been marked with honors from the Australian Government and collaborations with Oscar winner Michael Moore.

“Roman Pilgrim – The Tale of Wishful Creek” shines in storytelling, music, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of challenges. And audiences can catch the film at the Utah International Film Festival in February!

Cast of “Roman Pilgrim – The Tale of Wishful Creek” incudes Christopher Horsey, Taryn Lalleen, John Morrison and MonaroBlueAstro. The crew includes James Morrison (music), Rob Draper (DP), Christopher Horsey and Taryn Lalleen (choreography), Gracie Matthews (costumes) and Anny Slater as the writer, director and producer.