There is growth in every challenge. Covid-19 was devastating in so many regards, but it also forced many aspects of life into new strategies and fresh opportunities. For those in the world of filmmaking, it was a time of reinvention for their process. It also benevolently increased the demand for entertainment and widened the parameters that the average audience member was curious about. As a result, there was a reinvigoration of creative opportunities for adventurous filmmakers and those in the industry. Kellen Gibbs wrote and directed the Sci-Fi/Drama/Fantasy Lost in Tomorrow which began shooting during the pandemic and continued as the world began opening up. There is an undeniably unique tone that begins in darkness and emerges into awareness with the storyline of Lost in Tomorrow; one which mirrors this historic time in our own reality. The cast of this film is simply remarkable with familiar faces from some of your favorite films and TV series like Arthur Robers (Up in Smoke), Zachary Ray Sherman (90210-People’s Choice Award–Winner), Jane Edwina Seymour (Ashoka-Primetime Emmy Award–Winning Disney+ Series), Julia Parker (American Crime Story-Primetime Emmy Award–Winning TV Series), and many more. One of the most captivating performances in this film comes from UK actress Simmie Sangian who has been widely known for her work throughout the indie film scene. The recipient of numerous nominations including Best actress (for Honor) and Best Actress in an Indie Film (for The Lucid Letter)-both at the 2018 New York Film Awards, and awarded Best Actress in an Indie Film (The Lucid Letter– New York Film Awards) and Inspiring Woman in a Film (Honor– Los Angeles Film Awards), Simmie delivers a deeply moving performance in this film as Laura Jennings, a young woman who recognizes her own unfortunate plight in others. Lost in Tomorrow is an ideal example of filmmaking as a wholistic ensemble effort, illustrated by its numerous awards last year for those both in front of and behind the camera such as Best Feature Film, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Screenplay, and Best Director at this year’s Idyllwild Film Festival, and Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Film at the Scotland International Film Festival.
The concept “be careful what you ask for” is nothing new to storytelling but Kellen Gibbs has taken empathy to a new level with Lost in Tomorrow. The film’s main character is a tween girl named Harper who has a major conflict with her parents after being reprimanded at school for an arguably justifiable occurrence with a student who has been bullying her. In a whirry of emotions, Harper wishes to be someone else. The audience follows along as Harper navigates a series of different identities from various races, genders, ages, and appearances. In Harper’s journey we realise both what we share in these different identities and what is uniquely challenging for each. While the entire cast is exceptional, Simmie Sangian is particularly transfixing as a young woman named Laura Jennings who comes to the aid of one version of Harper. When this version of Harper wanders into a church seeking answers, it is Laura who recognizes a lost soul in her and quickly acts. Laura was alone and by herself until finding this church community and has dedicated her life to helping other young women just like her. The dishevelled and seemingly disoriented Harper triggers an automatic response in Laura and the two quickly bond. Laura Harper is the embodiment of altruism, reacting without hesitation to aid Harper while other congregation members appear confused and intimidated. As Harper begins to divulge her out -of-body experience to Laura, the vacillation between wondering if this is a psychosis or might actually be true weighs on Laura. Through Simmie’s portrayal of Laura Jennings, the audience and Harper share a hopeful moment that someone might actually understand this impossible experience. Exhibiting the truth of this for her character is the result of more internal work than exposition for Ms. Sangian who describes, “As an actor I always try to pull from things in my personal life, no matter how small. I truly believe in doing so it brings more color and life to each character I play. When I get any role, I take a notebook and write a whole life story for my characters, which is more so to help me truly become this person and have every bit of information I need in bringing a role to life. Everything we do, and the way we act as human beings, comes from something we have gone through in the past. Writing everything down helps me justify each choice my character makes, and every mannerism that she has. I think this really comes across in the character of Laura, and every other character I have played.”
Currently available on both Apple TV and Amazon, Lost in Tomorrow is a mind-bending concept and is well spent time for lovers of adventurous storytelling.
Writer : Basil Thomson
Ayushi Saini