Indie Film With Chicago Connections Finds Success on Festival Circuit
WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with filmmaker Haroula Rose to talk about her debut feature, ONCE UPON A RIVER.
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“I just thought it was really unique. And I wanted to tell her story, and I like that it hits on all these issues, but it’s not an issue film. It just lets you observe and live through this person’s experience.” - Haroula Rose talking about the Margo character at the center of ONCE UPON A RIVER.
Haroula Rose, the director of ONCE UPON A RIVER
An indie film with strong ties to Illinois has found success on the festival circuit this year. ONCE UPON A RIVER played in 25 festivals across five countries and took home 13 awards. The film comes from Lincolnwood native Haroula Rose. She adapted Bonnie Jo Campbell’s 2011 novel ONCE UPON A RIVER into a screenplay and then directed the movie.
John Ashton and Kenadi DelaCerna in ONCE UPON A RIVER
While Margo is the main character, the 1970’s rural Michigan settings described in the book/screenplay are just as important to the story. Rose found the rugged, nature-filled locations she was looking for in Antioch, Illinois.
John Ashton as Smoke in ONCE UPON A RIVER
