NEVER STEADY, NEVER STILL

By Kathleen HEPBURN

EXPERIMENTAL FOREST FILMS - as PROD

Drama - Completed 2017

A mother struggles to take control of her life in the face of advanced Parkinson’s disease, while her son battles his sexual and emotional identity amongst the violence of Alberta's oil field work camps.

Festivals
& Awards

Toronto - TIFF 2017
Discovery
Busan - BIFF/APM 2017
Flash Forward
Vancouver IFF 2017
BC Spotlight
Atlantic Film Festival 2017
    • Year of production
    • 2017
    • Genres
    • Drama
    • Countries
    • CANADA
    • Languages
    • ENGLISH
    • Budget
    • 0.6 - 1 M$
    • Duration
    • 110 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Kathleen HEPBURN
    • Writer(s)
    • Kathleen HEPBURN
    • Producer(s)
    • Tyler HAGAN (EXPERIMENTAL FOREST FILMS), James BROWN (CHRISTIE STREET CREATIVE)
    • Synopsis
    • When Jamie (18), leaves home to work on a gas rig in northern BC, Judy - who has been living with Parkinson’s disease for 17 years - and her husband, Ed, are left to continue their quiet life on the shores of Stuart Lake. But, when tragedy strikes at home, her world become suddenly uncertain. Struggling against her disease, her grief, and isolation, Judy fights to maintain control. Returning to the rigs too soon, Jamie stumbles his way through the grimy reality of camp life, confronted with doubts about his sexuality and his ability to survive this version of manhood. When a violent attack against him leaves another man dead, Jamie finds himself shaken and burdened with guilt. Hoping for relief, he heads home, where he finds Judy living in a state of disarray. Each carrying their own secret demons, mother and son carry on, only finding respite in the company of a pregnant teenager, Kaly, who delivers their groceries. But, when Jamie fails to return with his mother's pills, finding her hours later stuck in a tub of freezing water - he is hit with a wall of shame. Trying to warm her fragile body, Jamie breaks down and the two finally find a moment of solace in the admission of their shared burden - the guilt of not being enough for those they love.