ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
After their parent’s death, Katie Behnan cares for her sister Megan, with early onset Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, it takes a physical, emotional, and social toll.
SYNOPSIS
STARLING STREET brings us into the world of Katie Behnan, a woman who has recently taken on the role of caring for her sister Megan with early onset Alzheimer’s. Primarily centered around Katie’s birthday party at the Behnan’s home, the audience watches as Megan’s memory loss takes a mental, physical, and social toll on Katie, shattering her attempts to handle Megan’s needs without assistance. In the first beats of the film, we are introduced to the main characters and the neighbors of STARLING STREET.
We know that Katie is watching Megan closely but are not entirely sure why. The audience is brought into Katie’s memory flash of discharging her sister Megan from an assisted living facility, but the details are not yet revealed. Back at the party, Katie continues to balance fun and concern as she recalls incidents of Megan’s difficult behavior at home, while keeping up her hostess duties at her own birthday party.
Things take a complicated turn when Megan goes from flirting and dancing with longtime friend Bradley, who has always carried a torch for Megan, to a full sexual advance. While he envisions his dreams coming true as they physically connect after a lifetime of longing, his dreams are dashed when Katie barges in revealing that Megan doesn’t understand what she is doing due to her early-onset Alzheimer’s.
From there, Megan becomes increasingly disoriented and physical, resulting in an altercation while the guests sing “Happy Birthday” to Katie. Katie is injured and Megan disappears during the chaos. At the hospital, Katie unloads her feelings about the pressures and difficulties of caregiving. The neighbors band together to look for Megan. Brad finally finds her, returning Megan to Katie. Katie accepts Brad’s ongoing help, but ultimately realizes she needs additional support and brings Megan back to the facility.
PROJECT TYPE Narrative Short
DIRECTOR Christia Crocker
SCREENWRITER Christia Crocker, Heather Konowal
PRODUCER Christia Crocker, Heather Konowal
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Idea Unit, Inc.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Audrey Douglas
WEBSITE ideaunitinc.com/starling-street
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