As she has done for several years, Rachel Handler (she/her) once again brings an intriguing selection that takes us beyond the surface for the 2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
Handler, a 2020 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Alumna, wrote, starred in, and produced Best Friends FOREVER. This short film cheekily captures the experience of a disabled working actor and its challenges during the casting process… Or so you think. It opens with a very relatable scene, with Lacey (Handler) reading a casting call from the toilet. This scene serves a few purposes, including providing a sense of intimacy in an unconventional way. When Lacey’s friend pops in the bathroom with her, it really portrays their closeness as well.
The scene progresses as the two friends debate the appropriateness of Lacey, an amputee, auditioning for a role they soon find out to be for Helen Keller. Their following banter is honest, hilarious and unfolds into an even deeper and unforeseen conversation.
A buddy comedy about losing a friend way too soon, this short film is deeply dimensional. It covers navigating the entertainment business with a disability, authentic representation, imposter syndrome, and the transcendent nature of true friendships.
Founded by Nic Novicki, the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is an annual five-day competition in which filmmakers must create original three-to-five minute films based on a different theme each year. This year’s theme is buddy comedy.
“I would be over the moon if our themes about the importance of disabled kinship tugged at the heartstrings of our audience of disabled and nondisabled viewers,” said co-producer Shannon Ryan, who is an alumna of RespectAbility’s 2022 Children’s Content Lab. “If our shining a light on the very real and long-standing problem of actors cripping up in the entertainment industry made you laugh, I would be satisfied that the intent of our team was accomplished.”
This film was made in memory of Handler’s friend Kara and “dedicated to our friends gone too soon.” Handler wants audience members to leave “with a sense of togetherness in grief.”
“We have all lost someone we love, or will lose someone we love, and that grief can feel very lonely and isolating,” Handler said. “I hope our film will provide some silly entertainment, advocacy for disability representation in the theatre, and leave you feeling less alone.”
“I, too, hope that our film provides our viewers with escapism that will make you laugh, cry, and feel that you matter in our not-always-benevolent world,” Ryan added.
Best Friends FOREVER did exactly that. This short film takes viewers through so many emotions in such a short time, leaving quite an impression on audience members.
