Tribeca: 5 Questions for Bonnie Discepolo GRACELAND

I got a chance to catch GraceLand (United States | 14 MINUTES | English) directed by Bonnie Discepolo which screened in the block of shorts: Pursuing Happiness, during Tribeca Film Festival 2021. The film’s comedic overtones and use of a well-known pop culture figure, perfectly allows for a deeper message underneath.

Plot: A clean-cut, old school suburban mother (Anna Camp) works hard to create a ‘normal’ life for her family in Charleston, South Carolina. Her home is perfectly appointed, she serves only healthy breakfasts, and chooses the best schools for her daughter Grace (played by newcomer Katie Beth West). However, Grace, who identifies as male and claims to be the reincarnation of Elvis Presley, does not fit into her mother’s ordered life.

GraceLand places the weight of emotional change and acceptance on parent(s) rather than child. The film uses the iconic rocker and a young person’s sense of connection to him as a vehicle to explore self-identity, gender, and a mother’s decision to adjust her own world view in order to be a successful parent to her son.

Director Bonnie Discepolo Intro…

5 QUESTIONS FOR FILMMAKER BONNIE DISCEPOLO

T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for GraceLand and/or the theme that is the heart of your film?

Bonnie: Without going into too much detail about the particulars, I hid my true self as a child. I felt like if I was honest about who I was and what was going on with me, I wouldn’t be loved. In GraceLand I flip that internal narrative (that I carried) on its head and show a child who knows who he is and is comfortable being his true self despite protest from adults around him. For me the story puts the emotional journey and change, on the shoulders of the mother, the parents, and the adults, rather than the child. In many ways GraceLand is a fairy tale of acceptance, but I’d like to hope that it opens up conversations between kids about what they really think and who they really are, and parents who could sometimes do a better job of seeing who it is that they are raising.

T&T: Let’s talk about the music of your film? Elvis!

Bonnie: I’m so glad you asked me about the music! It’s the hardest thing about GraceLand that no one knows. Guess what? There is zero Elvis music in GraceLand! You heard that right. Before production I planned to use “Jailhouse Rock” as the main song that little Elvis resonates with, unfortunately the Elvis Presley estate wasn’t too keen on the gender-bending subject matter of my film and denied us the music rights. That’s when it gets fun! We found songs that Elvis is famous for recording, “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Amazing Grace”, secured the rights and then recreated the songs from scratch. Our music supervisor Barry J. Neely arranged the tracks, hired rockabilly musicians, and mixed the vocals of amazing singer Lance Lipinksy to recreate the Elvis songs. So far no one knows that there isn’t any Elvis music in the film, and that’s the goal, but gosh it was hard work!

T&T: Casting – How did Anna Camp get involved and how did you find Katie Beth West?

Bonnie: So, Anna Camp is my childhood best friend. We goofed off together doing extended character improvisations and started a theatre company together in high school! I had the idea for a mom who has her life disrupted when her daughter claims to be the reincarnation of rock and roll star, and as soon as I had the idea, I knew it was for her. I think Anna is so talented and funny and I hadn’t directed her since we were kids. I called her up before there was even a script and told her the idea and asked if she would have any interest in it. She immediately said she loved it, and write it! So my writing partner and I wrote a script and sent it over, and she said she’d do it. I also wrote the role of Ms. Snell for our other high school friend Monique Coleman, who is just terrific to work with! I’m so glad to have made this with these two women, because not only did they give great performances( I mean it was written for them) but also getting to shoot in South Carolina with two of my oldest and dearest friends and make something that brings a little joy into the world is so rewarding. Katie Beth West sings as Elvis (pun intended.) I wish I had a good story for finding her, but we hired Scowley/Nelson casting, they sent us audition tapes and Katie was the best tape!

T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get GraceLand from an idea to Tribeca.

Bonnie: Thank you to Indie Grants, The South Carolina Film Commission, Trident Technical College, my indefatigable producer Stephen Moffatt, my co writer and producer Trevor O. Munson and the nearly all female team of department heads who brought this film to life: DP Zelmira Gainza, PD Leslie Keel, Costumes Kathleen Roy, and of course to Tribeca!

T&T: Name 5 of your favorite films, which influenced your desire to be a filmmaker?

Bonnie: Only 5? Ok here’s what pops to mind today!

The Wizard of Oz – which showed me the transportative capability of cinema. For me, it is a perfect film full of magic, and color and music, and deep emotional stakes.

2. Casablanca – which I first watched at 12 years of age and have been re-watching it non stop since. It’s another huge inspiration because the story is so tight, the stakes are absolutely the highest, it’s full of heartbreak and music and even though you can’t see the color of Casablanca, you feel it!

3. Back to the Future | 4. 2001 A Space Odyssey | 5. Tombstone

GraceLand SOCIALS