Documentary Feature

5 WEEKS

IN SILVERTON

A film by L MORGAN LEE and

ANDREW RUSSELL

Log Line

Nothing goes as planned when a group of trans and queer filmmakers set out to document the last 5 weeks of Stu Rasmussen’s life.

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Synopsis

Synopsis

THE SHED

The heartbreaking story of a trans teen at the beginning of her life and a trans elder at the end of theirs in smalltown Silverton, Oregon, and the wild things that happen when a crew of trans filmmakers show up for 5 weeks to ask big questions on gender, freedom, life, and death.

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Synopsis

Story

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Synopsis

Story

THE SHED

The directors, along with a queer and trans film crew, take a chance: they head to Silverton for 5 weeks to be with Stu at the end of his life, and to spend time with Murphy, a trans youth they met as part of the audition process. Moving chronologically, the film is organized around “5 weeks” – each with a title card.

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Over the course of the 5 weeks: Stu shares his story knowing it will be the last time he does so. His journey is as much about revealing his (unique and idiosyncratic) history, as it is about the process of dying in hospice. Through townsfolk, and Stu’s partner of over 40 years, we fall in love with this human who come hell or high water found a way to not just survive, but thrive.

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THE SHED

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After weeks of refusing to go on camera, Stu agrees to an on-camera interview where he thanks his community and encourages anyone who wants to transition to do it now, and not wait. The filmmakers are asked to serve as witnesses to Stu signing paperwork to die at home in a humane and dignified manner, and then capture the powerful memorial service for this complicated icon.

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THE SHED

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Story

THE SHED

During the wild ride, the filmmakers interview townsfolk on all sides of the political spectrum and assumptions about small towns and the people who live in them are turned upside down. With a belief that who is telling the story makes all the difference, the film features over 10 trans and nonbinary individuals giving a range of (often contradictory) perspectives

As our world becomes increasingly polarized, 5 Weeks in Silverton offers a rare opportunity to deepen empathy, connection, and understanding across different experiences and perspectives.

This is an idiosyncratic film that shatters assumptions about small-town communities and those who call them home. This is a journey film that’s full of heart and suspense and is as much theatrical as it is verité. This is a film full of love that advocates that all you need to empathize with someone is to know just a little bit more about them.

As a living memorial for a trans elder and the trans elders that came before Stu, the film also shows that being trans doesn’t look one specific way. Featuring trans and nonbinary individuals from rural America, and created with trans filmmakers at the lead, this film offers a kaleidoscopic view of humanity from a needed perspective.

Creative Team - Directors

L Morgan Lee is an award-winning actress, director, and writer. In 2022, she received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical as well as a Drama League Distinguished Performance Award nomination for her standout work in A Strange Loop on Broadway - making history as the first openly trans actor to be nominated for a Tony Award®.

Andrew Russell is a writer and director in theatre and film whose work is often inspired by real-life events. He has directed documentaries for Microsoft Studios, served as Producing Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle from 2011-2017, worked on and off-Broadway, and is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

For more information: lmorganlee.com

For more information: andrew-russell.com

Creative Team - Director of Photography and Sound Recordist

Sarah Whelden’s narrative portfolio spans six feature films and numerous short films, premiering at prestigious festivals worldwide. Her film Tight will premiere at SXSW in March of ’24. As a trans and queer woman, she has a special place in her heart for those in the shadows. She is drawn to narratives that highlight the often chaotic reality between humans and their surroundings, and to characters who may be eager to find themselves but may not know where to start.

For more information: sarahmakesmovies.com

Kai Tillman is a trans non-binary filmmaker and activist. Their short films have been screened in over 30 film festivals internationally including, Locarno Film Festival, Outfest LA, Frameline, and Musée D'art Moderne de Montréal. They were selected for two workshops in Cuba hosted by Abbas Kiarostami in 2016 and Werner Herzog in 2017.

In partnership with Executive Producers at Plate Spinner Productions, pre-production and principal photography have been funded and completed, in fall of 2021. Additional funds have been provided by the Portland Events and Film Office.

In 2022 the editing process began, but due to a medical emergency with the editor the project was put on pause.

95% of the film is fully captured – the remaining 5% includes filming the beginning of the film with the directors, and possibly a check-in with Murphy now that time has passed.

We’re seeking funds specifically to complete pickups, post-production, and the process of submitting the film to a range of festivals and distributors.

Completed: $500K

Total budget: $750K

Needed: $250K

Completed: $500K

Budget

We’ve done our best to detail exactly where funds will go to allow us to complete the film.

As part of the fiscal sponsorship program with The Gotham Film & Media Institute, tax-deductible donations can be made to directly support the film.

Post-production is being supervised by Desert Island Studios.

Thanks to the national exposure of Stu’s story, the unique content, and the notoriety of the directors and producers, there are many already advocating for this film’s success.

Based on what the film has to say and who made it, there’s an appetite for it to premiere at a range of festivals. The remaining budget includes funds to support submitting the film to these festivals, as well as PR support along the way. Once selected, the plan is to leverage the festival as a way to gain distribution for the film.

These are three doc film distributors who have expressed interest in the film or have supported films in the past with content in line with this one. They are eager to hear more from us.

This film will serve as an educational piece to be shared through community screenings with non-profits, rural communities, and more.

Storyboard and Sample Footage

Join Us

We are seeking major donations and grants. Once we’re within $25K of our goal, we’ll activate a crowd-based fundraising campaign so everyone has a chance to support at an appropriate level. As part of the fiscal sponsorship program with The Gotham Film & Media Institute, tax-deductible donations can be made to directly support the film

We look forward to talking with you about the benefits of your specific donation or investment - ie credit as a “Producer,” or plans for a return-on-investment if the film generates profit.

Thank you for considering supporting this important film, and becoming part of the team who brings this unique story to screens all across the world.