About the Film
ONCE WAS: SYNOPSIS
A Russian immigrant confronts her American ex-girlfriend about their broken relationship.
An American artist, Kate turns everything into art and chaos. She is impulsive and brilliant, and doing her best to manage trauma and addiction. Zo is a first generation Russian immigrant who grapples with her identity and sexuality. Having first come to the U.S. as a refugee, she’s dedicated her life to public service.
A year after their breakup, the two Women reunite, with one hoping to reconcile and the other — looking for closure.
THE SQUAD: Director Lilan Bowden
LILAN BOWDEN is an Actor / Director / Comedian most notable for her role as “Bex” on Disney Channel’s Emmy nominated show Andi Mack (winner of a GLAAD and Honors Academy Award). Her credits also include Indebted, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Drunk History, Future Man, LOVE, Parks and Recreation, CONAN, and many more.
She is a trained sketch and improv performer from Upright Citizens Brigade Theater LA, currently performing in the monthly show “Asian AF” (now online). Along with her writing partner Wilder Smith, she has written material for Funny or Die, and occasionally performs live under their two-person group “Lilan and Wilder.”
Lilan has directed various commercials, Moonbug shows T-Rex Ranch and Blippi on Youtube, and her directorial debut Becoming Eddie has been featured at numerous festivals such as Bentonville Film Festival, CAAMFest Forward, Portland Film Festival and currently at Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
THE SQUAD: EP/Writer/Actor Vera Cherny
VERA CHERNY was born in Primorsky Krai in the former USSR. She began performing at three and a half years old, at a local dance school in Germany. At 16, she came to the United States on her own, on a full-time scholarship.
Vera continued pursuing her undergraduate studies while participating in regional theatre productions. She graduated with an M.F.A. in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School in NYC.
Vera has appeared on the FX series The Americans as a recurring character of Tatiana, on Counterpart (Starz) as a recurring character of Irina Markova, and on StartUp (Sony’s Crackle) as a recurring character of Vera. Most recently, she played the roles of Oksana Volkova on Queen of the South (USA) and Lenara Catiche on For All Mankind (Apple TV+).
THE SQUAD: Producer Maggie Phillips
MAGGIE PHILLIPS is a freelance Producer based in Los Angeles. A graduate from USC's School of Cinematic Arts, she produces narrative content in all genres highlighting new and diverse perspectives, both in front of and behind the camera.
She has produced multiple independent feature films and a number of music videos for clients such as Steve Aoki, Justin Roberts, and Warner Bros Music. Her films have won several Audience Awards and have premiered at festivals including CAA Moebius, Cinequest Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Fest.
She also works freelance with companies such as Sephora, Disney and Brat TV, and is currently working with several independent filmmakers on developing a slate of upcoming projects.
THE SQUAD: Cinematographer Michelle Kwong
MICHELLE KWONG is a native New York Cinematographer now based in Los Angeles. Her passion for visual imagery stemmed from her desire to convey, capture and instill emotions that she previously couldn't do with words alone. Michelle's love for visual imagery began with her exploration of photography, which gradually grew into an interest in cinematography.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in cinematography from Emerson College, Michelle has shot a wide range of content that include narrative short films, music videos, web series and commercials. Her work has garnered accolades and screened in film festivals around the country, including her college thesis film Inside Boxes, which was chosen as a finalist for the 2016 Cannes Short Film Corner.
Michelle is a proud member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers (ICFC), Sporas, and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women Class of 2019. She hopes to continue growing as a director of photography and creative artist through collaboration.
THE SQUAD: Producer/Actor Austin Highsmith Garces
AUSTIN HIGHSMITH GARCES is an Actress, Published Author and Illustrator, and is now adding produced Screenwriter to list.
Austin is best known for the role of Phoebe in the Warner Brothers / Alcon Entertainment films, Dolphin Tale 1 & 2 and as Ms. Lang in season 2 of MTV: Scream The TV Series. She has produced several of the independent films that she's starred in as well, including two for Lifetime Movie Network. Apart from her on-screen work, Austin is a stand-up comic having performed at such venues as the Comedy Store, Acme Comedy Theatre, and the Tampa Improv.
Her children’s book, The Miracle Tree, about her experience as a young girl was published in April of 2019 through Doce Blant Publishing. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Austin graduated from the University of North Carolina with a dual degree in Fine Arts and Political Science.
THE SQUAD: Editor Anjoum Agrama
ANJOUM AGRAMA: Born and raised in Los Angeles, Anjoum works as a freelance editor on music videos, commercials and feature films.
Her most notable work includes the VMA nominated music video for Marshmello’s Happier, MGM’s first digital series Stargate Origins and the Richard Branson EP’d short Sides of a Horn. She recently edited the upcoming psychological thriller Monstrous starring Christina Ricci.
Anjoum received her BA in Film & TV Production with a minor in Screenwriting from USC's School of Cinematic Arts.
ONCE WAS: THE INCLUSION STATEMENT
Our film has a 100% Women led creative team, boasting an abundance of diverse perspectives: from the first generation immigrants to different racial and sexual identities.
We bring you a story about how difficult it is to love someone else wholly before learning how to move past your own trauma.
To support our film, please follow us on Instagram @OnceWasFilm. For other updates, follow us on Seed & Spark.
Production Stills
ACTORS PREPARE: Vera and Austin workshopping the original idea for ONCE WAS.
AND THEN CAME THE REWRITES: Austin and Vera racking their brains while wreaking some havoc (sorry, IKEA table!).
THE SQUAD AT WORK: Austin, Vera and Lilan marching for a cause.
MEANWHILE, ON SET: Michelle making magic, with light.
SOMETIMES, ONE NEEDS A CROWN: Our Producer Maggie, doing serious work. Very serious!
AND THIS IS WHY WE LOVE HER: Our Directress Lilan leads with enthusiasm and empathy.
SHE'S NO JOKE: Vera as Oksana, on QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (USA).
THOSE DEATH SCENE THOUGH: Austin as Ms. Lang on SCREAM: THE TV SERIES (MTV).
A SMOOTH TALKER: Vera doing that Soviet spy thing on THE AMERICANS.
TO THE MOON AND BACK: Austin doing that badass thing she does on FRACTALUS.
LEADING WITH LIGHT: Lilan workshopping the script. (She's also a writer.)
AN ACTOR PREPARES: Vera pondering about re-writes (or thinking about lunch).
SHE'S GOT MAD SKILLS: Austin in her writing zone.
IN HER ELEMENT: Lilan directing her short film BECOMING EDDIE.
TALK ABOUT A BADASS: Be it times of "pandera" or not, Michelle is hard at work.
SHE'S A DIRECTOR, DAMMIT: Lilan running a tight ship, we mean set, on BECOMING EDDIE.
MASTERMINDS AT WORK: The Squad meeting for yet another production brainstorming during the pandemic. (Hence, Austin's mask. Because: Safety!)
WE'LL FIX IT IN POST: Lilan, Maggie and our First AD Lauren Heavrin racking their brilliant brains on location.
"IT'S GOTTA BE PERFECT!" Our Costume Designer Edurne Fernandez searching high and low for that "character coat". Thanks, Edu!
WE DID NOT WAKE UP LIKE DIS: Our fierce Make-Up & Hair Designer Darlene Orellana doing last looks on our cast.
AND, ACTION! Playback of our NYC footage proving the obvious: Our DP Michelle's got MAD SKILLS!
MEANWHILE, BACK IN CALI: Vera and Austin basking in the sun during lunch.
OOPS, WE BROKE OUR DP: Michelle resting after 10 hours of handheld camera action.
JUST KIDDIN': Michelle's fine, y'all. We love her too much.
IT'S A WRAP! On this Woman-led set -- the LOVE was real!