TIANWS_IDEALmag

2016

W
A film by Li Lu starring Agnes Buckner & Maurice Compte
hat happens when you lose your
job in NY city right before you travel
back home to TX for a close friend’s
wedding? Well you meet someone at
the pre­party of course and find out
“There Is A New World Somewhere.”
Eager for a new adventure, Sylvia
(Agnes Bruckner) ditches the wedding
and takes off for a road trip of the south
and finds out the meaning of “look
before you leap.”
The IDEAL mag caught up with
director Li Lu and lead actress Agnes
Bruckner to get more insight on this
compelling indie film, which is Li Lu’s
debut feature. During the film
screening, I noticed a very artistic
component of Sylvia’s red nail polish, in
that the chipping of it changed over
time. Li Lu stated, "Her chipped nail
polish represents a deterioration of
Sylvia's creative drive and selfconfidence.
All of us look best when
we feel vibrant and fulfilled. Her nails
are a small way for the audience to
understand her initial attempt to create
to be a lesson we should be open to
learning. Advise from Bruckner is
a facade of confidence but ultimate fallwelcomed, as this seasoned actress
into a weary depression.” When has learned a think or two during her
Bruckner was asked what she found time on TV shows such as “24”and
intriguing about her character, she “Private Practice,” two of my favorites of
stated, "I liked her openness and I like all time. While Bruckner’s character in
her vulnerability.” Bruckner, who began this film appears to enjoy the freedom of
acting at the age of 12 found the
romantic scenes pretty challenging.
She shared, "They were so raw and
real it took a lot to just let go and be in
the moment.”
Story by Neeta Woo // Images courtesy of TIANWS
...this story was a
way for me to try
to understand
myself and fight
my own selfdoubts.
­Director, Li Lu
Many movies have a “do not try this at
home component,” and when asked,
Brucnker stated, "Hmmm, maybe don't
jump in a car with a guy you don't know
at all so quickly (laughing out loud).” A
very good point and what would seem
not knowing what is to come, she also
learns the perils of what being oblivious
can create. Li Lu noted, "I make films in
an attempt to understand things that I
am curious about. I wanted to
show the inner struggles of two lost
souls, each at their own stage of
disconnection, while reflecting the
spirit and landscape of the South.
TIANWS aims to capture not only
the thrill of love and adventure, but
also intense moments of
introspection. As a reaction to our
frenzied culture where immediacy
pervades every facet of our lives, I
wanted to make a film that focuses
on powerful stillness, unafraid to
linger on the precious moments of
pause in one's life. Abundant in
passion but lacking in ways to
physically manifest it, this story was
a way for me to try to understand
myself and fight my own selfdoubts
."
idealpr.com

Lead female actress Agnes Brucker playing Sylvia in "There is a New World Somewhere"

theIDEALmag
"I hope audiences can see a lot of
themselves in each of the characters.
The main message of the film is to inspire
others to keep trying to achieve their
dreams, however impossible they might
seem. I believe that everyone is creative,
so therefore everyone understands the
feeling of inner turmoil when we cannot
produce our best work or express
ourselves in the right way. It's a
challenging film because it forces the
audience to reevaluate their own lives
and their life choices while watching it.
However, I hope that it's a film that will
linger in their minds after seeing it and
plant some seeds of inspiration."
Lead female actress Agnes Brucker
and lead actor Maurice Compte
This film definitely allows the audience
to think and have dialogue in their
heads as they watch and move along
with Sylvia and Esteban (Maurice
Compte) throughout the film. It allows
for moments of “wow, I wonder how
that feels,” and “that may not end so
well.” Whatever your inner dialogue
says, Li Lu hopes that her viewers
can connect to the characters on
some level. Here is what she shared
with us about what she hopes
happens....
­Director, Li Lu
Li Lu moved to the USA at the age of 5
from China and has learned many
lessons along the way which have helped
shaped her film making process. "The
strongest lesson that I'll always carry with
me is to always trust my instincts, on all
levels. If something feels right, then go for
it 100%. If a situation feels inauthentic or a
recommendation untrustworthy, it
probably is. This being my first feature, I
was told by lots of older and more
experienced people about what I could
and could not do. I soon found that there
are really no rules to anything ­ only the
rules you set up for yourself,” said Li Lu.
This energy is found in the film, as Sylvia
is seen taking risks and ultimately finding
herself at a crossroad.
In general, Li Lu hopes to promote During this time, where restrictions
diversity, as this China to Texas to Losand boxes that have been placed
Angeles filmmaker has seen many around some are being challenged
walks of life and hopes to help make and adjusted, and others thought to
an impact. "I lead color­blind casting have disappeared have revealed
sessions...I am a female Chinese themselves as simply invisible but
American filmmaker and although the prominent, it is empowering to
current discussions around diversity know there is an artistic woman of
have been groundbreaking and color filmmaker, whom is also color
overdue, there has been an interesting blind to creativity and passion.
counter­conversation about what
stories we “diverse” filmmakers are
allowed to tell,” said Li Lu. "Must we be
There Is A New World
Somewhere is now out on Video
punished for going “off the reservation” on Demand, IVOD and DVD.
and be limited to tell one kind of story... Additionally, there are a few
Or can we move on and realize that remaining cities with theater
we bleed the same blood and feel the showings.
same emotions?” Very well put.
http://www.tianws.com/screenings
idealpr.com

OURAY, CO
• 8/10/16 @ Wright Opera House.
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT
• 8/12/16­8/18/16 @ Catamount Arts Center.
LAS CRUCES, NM
• 8/31/16 @ Allen Theaters, Cineport
DURANGO, CO
• 8/31/16 @ Allen Theaters, Gaslight.
FARMINGTON, NM
• 8/31/16 @ Allen Theaters, Animas.
ROSWELL, NM
• 8/31/16 @ Allen Theaters, Galaxy
To get tickets for the remaining
showings listed, and to learn more
about the film, visit their website:
http://www.tianws.com/screenings
If you are interested in having this film
come to your city, connect with them at
tianws.film(at)gmail(dot)com.
A very special thanks to Jonah
Blechman of PotentPR.