Chicago – Writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s award-winning feature film “Relative” (2022) was snapped up by Chicago-based Music Box Films, and will have its Digital release on May 21st, 2024. But first, how about one more special screening at the historic Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, May 15th. Click Relative at for tickets and info.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Relative
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor, and is based in Chicago. His first feature film,...
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Relative
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor, and is based in Chicago. His first feature film,...
- 5/15/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
"I don't want an empty nest!" Music Box Films has posted their official trailer for an indie drama about a family titled Relative, from filmmaker Michael Glover Smith. This originally premiered back in 2022, but we have only caught up with it now and haven't ever posted about this film before. It played at a few small film festivals in 2022/2023, with a very limited release in art house theaters around the country. As various members of the Frank family come together for a college graduation party in Chicago, they find their bonds being tested, and strengthened, in surprising ways. The story focuses on the parents of four kids, who decide to announce that they're about to sell the house they grew up in. "Relative is a warm blend of comedy and drama about a modern American family." This stars Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Clare Cooney, Keith D. Gallagher,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Image Source: Getty / Jd Lacroix
Caterina Scorsone is opening up about a horrifying experience she and her family went through recently. In an April 3 Instagram post, the "Grey's Anatomy" star revealed that her house caught fire several months ago and she had to rescue her three kids in a matter of minutes before the whole place went up in smoke.
"While getting my kids ready for bed and finishing bath time, smoke began to seep up through the grout around the tub," Scorsone wrote in a caption. "When I looked down the hallway a river of thick black smoke had already formed and was filling the house. One thing about fires: they happen fast. I had about two minutes to get my three kids out of the house, and we escaped with less than shoes on our feet. But we got out."
Scorsone said that, unfortunately, the family lost their pets in the fire.
Caterina Scorsone is opening up about a horrifying experience she and her family went through recently. In an April 3 Instagram post, the "Grey's Anatomy" star revealed that her house caught fire several months ago and she had to rescue her three kids in a matter of minutes before the whole place went up in smoke.
"While getting my kids ready for bed and finishing bath time, smoke began to seep up through the grout around the tub," Scorsone wrote in a caption. "When I looked down the hallway a river of thick black smoke had already formed and was filling the house. One thing about fires: they happen fast. I had about two minutes to get my three kids out of the house, and we escaped with less than shoes on our feet. But we got out."
Scorsone said that, unfortunately, the family lost their pets in the fire.
- 4/4/2023
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
Melissa DuPrey is an actor, comedian, producer, musician, and playwright with roots in Chicago and Puerto Rico. Critically acclaimed for her work in theater - including five full-length solo plays that highlight the intersections of diasporic Blackness, queerness, healing, liberation, and sexuality - Duprey now plays the Boriqua Bff opposite Natasha Rothwell in Hulu's upcoming series "How To Die Alone."
Popsugar caught up with her to discuss her latest character, Tamika, as well as Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood. As she puts it: "The way we tell stories as Latina people, the way that we hold space, the way that we fuse culture and cooking and music, that's our storytelling."
Popsugar: How do you define your identity?
Melissa DuPrey: I'm Puerto Rican and I'm Black. I was raised by two very loving Puerto Rican parents with deep roots in both Puerto Rico and Chicago. Humboldt Park is where I developed my identity,...
Popsugar caught up with her to discuss her latest character, Tamika, as well as Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood. As she puts it: "The way we tell stories as Latina people, the way that we hold space, the way that we fuse culture and cooking and music, that's our storytelling."
Popsugar: How do you define your identity?
Melissa DuPrey: I'm Puerto Rican and I'm Black. I was raised by two very loving Puerto Rican parents with deep roots in both Puerto Rico and Chicago. Humboldt Park is where I developed my identity,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Shanon Lee
- Popsugar.com
Life is about handling contradictions. And they all demand that we choose between compromising, conceding, or refusing to back down—whether it’s opposite a family member, friend, lover, or even yourself. We weigh pros and cons. We anticipate a future that we can never know for certain. Do we choose the job or the potential for love? Do we sacrifice our career for our spouse? Do we leave our hometown, or decide to make a new one? Each choice becomes another snowflake falling atop a mountain ready to unleash an avalanche. Sometimes it falls with the force of an atomic bomb and sometimes it never budges. The only thing we can therefore control is how we ultimately live within that uncertainty. For ourselves or for another?
There’s no wrong answer. Writer-director Michael Glover Smith hasn’t built Relative as some catch-all drama to foist his ideals upon his audience.
There’s no wrong answer. Writer-director Michael Glover Smith hasn’t built Relative as some catch-all drama to foist his ideals upon his audience.
- 10/5/2022
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Relative,” the latest film from Chicago-based filmmaker Michael Glover Smith. Its theatrical release begins on June 8th (click links) at Music Box Theatre and on June 10th at Gene Siskel Film Center, and will expand from there.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Writer/director Michael Glover Smith gathers an ensemble cast that portray the Frank family, anchored by Dad David (Francis Guinan) and Mom Karen (Wendy Robie). Their youngest son Benji (Cameron Scott Roberts) is graduating from a nearby university, and the entire Frank clan will be gathering at their Chicago family home to celebrate. The oldest son Rod (Keith D. Gallagher) still lives in the basement, having left his marriage to Sarah (Heather Chrisler). Clare Cooney is Evonne, going through a marriage and mental stability crisis with her wife Lucia (Melissa Duprey). And rounding out crew is Norma (Emily Lape), whose nostalgic longing...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Writer/director Michael Glover Smith gathers an ensemble cast that portray the Frank family, anchored by Dad David (Francis Guinan) and Mom Karen (Wendy Robie). Their youngest son Benji (Cameron Scott Roberts) is graduating from a nearby university, and the entire Frank clan will be gathering at their Chicago family home to celebrate. The oldest son Rod (Keith D. Gallagher) still lives in the basement, having left his marriage to Sarah (Heather Chrisler). Clare Cooney is Evonne, going through a marriage and mental stability crisis with her wife Lucia (Melissa Duprey). And rounding out crew is Norma (Emily Lape), whose nostalgic longing...
- 6/8/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – One of the breakout performances in Michael Glover Smith’s new film, “Relative,” is from Elizabeth Stam, who portrays the pivotal role of Hekla. The “Relative” special Chicago general releases will take place (click links) at Music Box Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center on June 8th and 10th.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Elizabeth Stam (right) with Cameron Scott Roberts in ‘Relative’
Photo credit: White City Cinema
This is Elizabeth Stam’s second film, after “Bleed American” in 2019. As mentioned in the interview below,...
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
Elizabeth Stam (right) with Cameron Scott Roberts in ‘Relative’
Photo credit: White City Cinema
This is Elizabeth Stam’s second film, after “Bleed American” in 2019. As mentioned in the interview below,...
- 6/2/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The journey from idea to completed film is a fever dream for the writer/director. Chicago-based filmmaker Michael Glover Smith has realized his dreams in his fourth feature film, “Relative.” The story of family, set in the neighborhood of Rogers Park, begins its local run at Music Box Theatre on June 8th, 2022.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ Begins Its Theatrical Run in Chicago
Photo credit: Chicago Film Project
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community...
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. Meanwhile, the college graduate (Cameron Scott Roberts) has serendipitously fallen for Hekla (Elizabeth Stam). The film also features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ Begins Its Theatrical Run in Chicago
Photo credit: Chicago Film Project
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community...
- 5/22/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
One of the rising filmmakers in the Chicago movie-making scene, Michael Glover Smith has returned this year with his fourth feature, Relative. Produced by Chicago Film Project (which also backed Jennifer Reeder’s Knives and Skin) and starring Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks) and Cameron Scott Roberts (The Walking Dead), the film follows a family at a crossroads, featuring separations, new romances, and empty-nesting as the youngest member of the clan graduates college. Ahead of the film’s hometown screenings at the Music Box on June 8 and the Gene Siskel Film Center on June 10, 15, and 16, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the first trailer.
“I’ve always been skeptical of the phrase “dysfunctional family” since all families would seem dysfunctional if one were able to observe them closely enough,” the director said. “In creating Relative, my goal was to contrive a scenario that would allow me to lift the veil on...
“I’ve always been skeptical of the phrase “dysfunctional family” since all families would seem dysfunctional if one were able to observe them closely enough,” the director said. “In creating Relative, my goal was to contrive a scenario that would allow me to lift the veil on...
- 5/5/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Chicago – The made-in-Chicago film “Relative” … written and directed by Michael Glover Smith … will get its city/Midwest premiere at (appropriately) the Midwest Film Festival on April 5th, 2022. The sold out show at the Gene Siskel Film Center will also have a Q&a, moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. One of the vital credits on any film is Music Supervisor, and that role on “Relative” was filled by Cait Rappel, a veteran film scorer in her feature film debut.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. The film features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey, Elizabeth Stam and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ at the Midwest Film Festival, Music Supervision by Cait Rappel (inset)
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. The film features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey, Elizabeth Stam and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ at the Midwest Film Festival, Music Supervision by Cait Rappel (inset)
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.
- 4/2/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – In more good news on the road to normalcy, one local writer/director – Michael Glover Smith – produced his fourth feature film last year in Chicago and now it’s ready for its World Premiere. “Relative” will screen at the Gasparilla International Film Festival on March 12th, 2022. For more information, click Relative.
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. The film features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey, Elizabeth Stam and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ World Premiere on March 12th, 2022
Photo credit: GasparillaFilmFestival.com
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community College and elsewhere), and is based in Chicago. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,...
“Relative” is a film about transition, as a family gathers for the youngest son/brother’s college graduation. Each individual family member is dealing with a situational crossroads, and the family togetherness both modifies and challenges them. The film features Wendy Robie, Francis Guinan, Cameron Scott Roberts, Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape, Melissa DuPrey, Elizabeth Stam and Clare Cooney.
’Relative’ World Premiere on March 12th, 2022
Photo credit: GasparillaFilmFestival.com
Writer/Director Michael Glover Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community College and elsewhere), and is based in Chicago. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,...
- 3/10/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Local filmmaker Michael Glover Smith broke through the after-the-pandemic ceiling with his recently completed fourth feature film, “Relative.” The ten day production, shot primarily in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, follows the adventures of a family negotiating the youngest son’s graduation gathering.
Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community College and elsewhere), and is based in Chicago. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,” premiered in 2015, the same release year as his first book, “Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the U.S. Film Industry.” His next two films were “Mercury in Retrograde” in 2017, and “Rendezvous in Chicago” in 2018. He planned to shoot “Relative” in 2020, but like the rest of the world it was delayed.
Olivia Aquilina (Cinematographer), Actors Melissa DuPrey, Arielle Gonzalez, Clare Cooney & Michael Glover Smith of ‘Relative’
Photo credit: Michael Glover Smith
In a comprehensive two-part Podtalk, Michael Glover Smith talks all things “Relative,...
Smith is also an author and film studies instructor (at Oakton Community College and elsewhere), and is based in Chicago. His first feature film, “Cool Apocalypse,” premiered in 2015, the same release year as his first book, “Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the U.S. Film Industry.” His next two films were “Mercury in Retrograde” in 2017, and “Rendezvous in Chicago” in 2018. He planned to shoot “Relative” in 2020, but like the rest of the world it was delayed.
Olivia Aquilina (Cinematographer), Actors Melissa DuPrey, Arielle Gonzalez, Clare Cooney & Michael Glover Smith of ‘Relative’
Photo credit: Michael Glover Smith
In a comprehensive two-part Podtalk, Michael Glover Smith talks all things “Relative,...
- 7/20/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The movie love story is a staple, but rarely has it been explored in the way co-writer/director Laura Madalinski takes it on. The polyamorous adventures of three people is the basis for “Two in the Bush: A Love Story,” the next feature film at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018, at Chicago’s Landmark Century Centre Cinema. For more details and ticket info, including the topic of the before-the-film “Producers Panel,” click here.
“Two in the Bush” is the story of Emily (Sarah Mitchell), who has broken up with her live-in girlfriend and loses her job at the same time. She finds refuge on the couch of close friend Rosa (Melissa DuPrey), who also sets her up for employment as the front desk attendant in a leather shop, with the added attraction of dominatrix rooms for their kinky customers. One of the main “doms” is...
“Two in the Bush” is the story of Emily (Sarah Mitchell), who has broken up with her live-in girlfriend and loses her job at the same time. She finds refuge on the couch of close friend Rosa (Melissa DuPrey), who also sets her up for employment as the front desk attendant in a leather shop, with the added attraction of dominatrix rooms for their kinky customers. One of the main “doms” is...
- 10/1/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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