The Last Will and Testament of Grace Buchanan

“The Last Will and Testament of Grace Buchanan” is a darkly comic tragic short film about Grace; a foul-mouthed, petty, marginalised young woman who’s dying.

Ravaged by cancer at 24, Grace sits down, ostensibly, to record a will, a fifteen-minute monologue delivered direct to camera and intercut with surreal imagery as we see the eclectic, crowded and often beautiful things she imagines come to life. She pours through a series of hilarious and absurd demands for her funeral service, using her will to settle old scores and throw herself the party of a lifetime.

But what her rough accent, swearing, and aggressiveness is hiding is Grace’s courage, her frankness, and her vulnerability as she grapples with the question of who does death really punish; the one who dies, or those left behind to grieve?

I first performed “Will” as a short one-act play in NYC in 2015. I fell in love with this ball of fire character and the emotional impact the piece landed, and felt she was more than deserving of a second life. By reimagining the play as a short film, I’ll have the opportunity to share this poignant, and touching story with a much wider audience.

I am so grateful for anything you’re willing to contribute to bring Grace back to life.

All my love,

Elaine

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