Occupy, Texas (2016)

After 7 years away from home and news of his parents' death, a disillusioned Occupier is forced from his tent in Zuccotti Park to upper-middle class Texas, where he must repair his two teenage sisters, his past, and himself.

Director:

Jeff Barry

Writers:

Gene Gallerano, Gene Gallerano

Stars:

Janine Turner, Peri Gilpin, Reed Birney

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Janine Turner	...	Mrs. Thomas
Peri Gilpin	...	Uma Baker
Reed Birney	...	Uncle Nolan
Lorelei Linklater	...	Claire Baker
Paul Benjamin	...	Mr. Goodman
David Matranga	...	Kelsie
Gail Cronauer	...	Principal
Major Dodge	...	Dallas Occupier
Nikki Moore	...	Sherry
Kaelynn Wright	...	Schoolgirl
Libby Villari	...	Mrs. Martin
Luke Robertson	...	Austin
Jen Ponton	...	Harley
Marissa Woolf	...	School Teacher
Madi Bready	...	Party-Goer (as Madison Bready)

Storyline

'Let's bring this shizz home!' Beau Baker, a washed out 'Occupy, Wall Street' protester, is woken up on the streets of NYC with news that his parents died and that he must return home to Texas where his parents have left him in charge of his two teenage sisters and their estate. This sets Beau off on a journey to search for and find the strength to reunite with his sisters, his past and himself.

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Plot Keywords:

tent | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Did You Know?

Trivia

It was filmed in Dallas, TX.

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Soundtracks

Heavy Sleep Broken
Performed by Estelle Bajou
Written by Estelle Bajou

User Reviews

homeless or home again?

Dallas International Film Festival 2016 Greetings again from the darkness. Can you go home again? The answer is usually complicated and often a factor of one's own choices. What's clear is that those choices leave a wide range of emotions in the wake. Writer Gene Gallerano and director Jeff Barry share the story of Beau Baker, a young man who 7 years ago, walked away from his comfortable suburban lifestyle and a bright future as a lawyer.

When first we meet Beau, he is sleeping on the streets of New York … awakened by a gentle foot nudge from his Uncle Nolan (Reed Birney, VP on "House of Cards"). Beau reluctantly agrees to return home when he is informed that his parents have recently died in a car crash. See, after Beau left home, he joined the Occupy Wall Street movement, and just never returned home after the movement fizzled.

Once back in Texas, Beau is informed that he is the executor of his parent's estate, as well as the legal guardian for his two teenage sisters … much to the dismay of his Type-A Aunt Uma (Peri Gilpin). 17 year old Claire (Lorelei Linklater, Boyhood) and 13 year old Arden (newcomer Catherine Elvir) have mixed reactions to the reappearance of a brother they barely ever knew. Claire is angry and bitter, while Arden takes to Beau's carefree ways and avoidance of responsibility.

The film was shot in Dallas, and offers peeks at the historic Texas Theatre, the Margaret Hunt Bridge, and St. John's school. There is also a glimpse of the cultural clash between New York and Dallas, and it's provided through Beau's wardrobe and speech. Whether he can fit in with old acquaintances (including his old girlfriend Nikki Moore), and kick his carefree lifestyle to become a true role model for his sisters is the core of the film.

Writer Gene Gallerano also stars as Beau Baker, and does a nice job walking the line between selfish slacker and grown-up. The road from homeless street person to legal guardian doesn't come with a handbook, and Beau makes most every mistake possible. On the bright side, we can tell pretty early on where the character and story is headed and that it's going to be a feel good story of redemption – and overcoming the challenges that family brings. There are a couple of other interesting characters courtesy of Janine Turner (as a bored housewife drawn to Beau), and Paul Benjamin (as a wise and generous neighbor). The inconsistent sound mix doesn't affect our connection to Beau and especially Arden (in a terrific first on screen performance from young Miss Elvir). We really want what's left of this family to come together.

Details

Official Sites:

official facebook official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 2017 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Neboya Collective, Shingleside Pictures, Torfoot Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color