The dark comedy short film Patty’s Last Resort will celebrate its World Premiere at the LA Shorts International Film Festival on Monday, August 3rd, at 10 PM, according to festival details. Screened as part of Program 24 at the Laemmle North Hollywood, the 16-minute project is written, directed, and edited by Tesha Kondrat.
Plot and Themes of Patty’s Last Resort
The film confronts the taboo subject of maternal regret, following a disconnected and unhappy Midwestern mother who resigns herself to suffering in silence until she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave everything behind. According to production notes, the narrative uses satire and compassion to examine maternal regret, a topic that remains largely absent from mainstream storytelling. Emmy award-winning writer and director Tesha Kondrat applies a Todd Solondz-esque dark humor to the project, noting that she loves stories showing people at their lowest moments because everyone has felt embarrassed, stuck, angry, or desperate.
Did You Know? Writer and director Tesha Kondrat is well-known for her comedy TV writing credits on Saturday Night Live, Archer, and Robot Chicken before bringing her dark comedic lens to this independent short film.
Cast and Production Details
Lori Beth Denberg stars in the lead role of Patty, delivering a nuanced performance that departs from the quirky comedic characters that initially made her a household name in Nickelodeon’s All That series and the Good Burger franchise. The production also features one of the final screen performances by legendary character actress Dee Freeman, whose extensive television credits include Seinfeld, Shameless, Dexter, ER, and The Hughley’s. The ensemble cast rounds out with Christian Capozzoli from Red Oaks and Girls, Yuriy Sardarov from Chicago Fire and Argo, alongside rising young actors Sam Appenzeller from Pluribus and Jake Getman from Elio and Barry.
Production Team and Future Screenings
Produced by Kale Davidoff and Ivana Kingston with cinematography by Bethany Michalski, the film highlights an emerging voice in independent filmmaking tackling underrepresented themes. Following its August 3rd premiere at Laemmle North Hollywood, festival attendees and film enthusiasts may look toward broader festival distribution or future independent screenings as the project gains traction on the circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the premiere of Patty’s Last Resort?
The film will premiere on Monday, August 3rd, at 10 PM during the LA Shorts International Film Festival as part of Program 24 at the Laemmle North Hollywood.
Who stars in the film?
The dark comedy stars Lori Beth Denberg, alongside one of the final screen performances by actress Dee Freeman, and an ensemble cast featuring Christian Capozzoli, Yuriy Sardarov, Sam Appenzeller, and Jake Getman.
What is the plot of Patty’s Last Resort?
The 16-minute short film follows an unhappy Midwestern mother dealing with maternal regret who is offered an opportunity to leave everything behind.
What other taboos do you think independent filmmakers should explore through dark comedy?
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