Music by: Justina Shandler
About this project
Chew is a heartfelt, engaging love story about two outcasts struggling to free themselves from their defiance—inspired by true events.
We're a team of award-winning filmmakers that was excited to bring this special film to life.
About the film:
“Chew” is a 25-minute short film, written and directed by Jessica Franz. The creators hope to restore a realistic portrait of paralysis in the media and Hollywood. The motivational film re-lives Franz’s traumatic experience when she lost her father to cancer, as well as the tumultuous life of Xander Mozejewski who gracefully deals with being a T6 paraplegic (complete paralysis of lower body and legs) after a motorcycle accident. Xander, a talented photographer and social butterfly, became famous when his nude self-portrait "Ridiculously Photogenic Nude Wheelchair Guy" garnered 700,000 views on Reddit. It's a touching, engaging film with relatable characters.
The story:
Smug drifter Lisa "Chew" Hoffman (Nora Wyman) reluctantly returns home for her best friend Mina Priest's (Megan Messmer) wedding and soon clashes with the world she left behind. Wrestling with triggered memories and guilt, she suffers a panic attack in a public restroom. Soon after, she meets the ambitious photographer and paraplegic Dan Meyers (Hunter Garner). Inspired by his enthusiasm and love for life, Chew resolves to face her troubled past…
KICKSTARTER
Staff Pick
Featured in
LA WEEKLY
Hear Alex Lampsos & Jessica Franz talk about and give an inside into the making of the film in their LA TALK RADIO interview!
