Writer-director Lucia Mauro’s debut feature, “One Year Later,” that filmed in Chicago and Italy, premieres Sept. 18 at Loyola University Medical Center’s new research facility in Maywood during September’s National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
An ovarian cancer survivor, Mauro says she was compelled to tell this story “to address the emotional side of cancer survivorship and the challenging process of moving forward.
“We’re hoping to make an impact with the film and help others to heal by raising funds for ovarian cancer research with our screening.”
This uplifting film tells the story of an American college professor who struggles with her post-cancer life and takes a cathartic trip to the Italian Alps where she learns to go forward independently, free of compliance, guilt and obligation.
Produced by Joe Orlandino of Atlas Media, it stars Juliet Hart, co-founder of Chicago’s Timeline Theatre, and Rome-based Italian film / TV actor Massimo De Santis (Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna”), who also co-starred in Mauro’s award-winning short, “In My Brother’s Shoes.”
Other local cast members are PJ Powers (co-founder/artistic director of Timeline Theatre), Daniel Houle, Amanda Powell, Joslyn Jones and Erin Lovelace, who also traveled to Italy for their roles.
Mauro’s 2014 Rome-filmed short, “In My Brothers Shoes,” won Best Short Film at the 2015 Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival in the Vatican, Rome.
It also screened at 2015 Cannes International Film Festival’s Short Film Corner and is distributed by Pixovi Movie Network. “One Year Later” screens at 1 p.m. at Loyola University Medical Center’s Center for Translational Research & Education, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood. A moderated Q&A with cast and crew and a reception follow the screening.
No tickets, but donations are accepted at the event. Proceeds benefit the Christl Burgess Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research at Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. To RSVP, click here.
See the trailer here.
