BASIC INFO:

TITLE: Strindberg's Assistant
FORM: Episodic Web Narrative
GENRE: Supernatural Tale
RUNTIME: Six Installments
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Tarazod Films & Media LLC;  Michael Holly Media

STATUS: Never completed due to COVID-19 

EXPECTED RELEASE: TBA
  • EPISODE 1 - A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
  • EPISODE 2 - AGDA STEPS OUT
  • EPISODE 3 - LETTERS AND DREAMS
  • EPISODE 4 - BJORNE'S AFFLICTION
  • EPISODE 5 - THE BACK STAIRS
  • EPISODE 6 - THE ALCHEMIST'S PLOT REVEALED

TAGLINE:

The past is here, time to face your ghosts.

LOGLINE:

When a lost family history comes back to haunt her dreams, an aged recluse finally decides to face her fears, and that's when the ghosts really come out of the woodwork.


SYNOPSIS:

It’s 1910 and Sweden’s most esteemed playwright and novelist, August Strindberg, is nearing the end of his life. His interests have drifted from writing to the more mystical arts of alchemy. His young apprentice, Björne, assists with the intricate experiments.

Björne’s focus, however, is divided between his work and the love of a young woman, Katina. When she unexpectedly leaves for a better life in America, he falls into a deep depression. To Björne's surprise, Strindberg seems genuinely concerned and offers to assist the young man in his pursuit of Katina.

Fast forward 100+ years. Katina’s aged granddaughter, Agda, lives the life of a recluse. And yet because of recent events, she is forced to confront a long-forgotten family history. Apparently, Strindberg’s efforts to help Björne were not as altruistic as they first appeared. Now Agda must face the ghostly truth.

TRAILER #1:

Released October 14, 2013

TRAILER #2

Updated version was to be released in 2020. Never completed.

MOVIE POSTER:


Get a 300 dpi hi-rez image here.

WRITER / DIRECTOR / PRODUCER:

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

ROBERT LUGHAI
Writer / Director / Producer


MICHAEL HOLLY
Writer / Co-Producer


COLIN CAMERON
Executive Producer


MARY MARTEL-CANTELON
Executive Producer

CAST:

JOYCE AASEN
Agda Bergström


PATRICK GARVEY
Björne


GEORGIA CURRY
Katina


COLIN CAMERON
August Strindberg


TASHONA SMITH
Therapist


CASEM ABULUGHOD
Strindberg Historian


NICHOLAS R. WOOTTON
Robert


NEELAM KERKELA
Apartment Manager


TBA
Psychiatrist 1


SRI PRATIWI
Psychiatrist 2


CHRIS WEIS
Psychiatrist 3


TBA
Björne (voice)


TBA
Katina (voice)


IVY SURYANA
Sinta


BRAD GOLDMAN
1910 Gentleman


PATRICK DOYLE
Albert the Merchant


ÁGI RÉDEI
Lady on Street


Extras:
JOANNA FURLAN
TBA

CREW:

MICHAEL HOLLY - Director of Photography
TBA - 2nd Unit Camera
J. PUC ZOTTERDEET - Editor
MICHAEL HOLLY - Assistant Editor
TASHAI LOVINGTON - Script Supervisor
JIM BUGGE - Sound / Gaffer
IVY SURYANA - Grip
NICHOLAS R. WOOTTON - Grip
TASHAI LOVINGTON - Makeup

TOM GILES - Craft Service
DOREEN GILES - Craft Service
JANET KJELLAND - Craft Service

COLIN CAMERON - Location Scout

THANK YOU:

Peggy Furlan
David Furlan
Jorge Cruz

The Livingston Inn
The Roman Candle Pizzeria (Willy Street, Madison)
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. (east side Madison)
Chipotle Mexican Grill (east side Madison)

PRODUCTION STILLS:

  • Searching for Katina scene: (l-r) Michael Holly (DP), Colin Cameron (Strindberg), Brad Goldman (1910 gentleman).

Additional photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tarazod/albums/72157636729226293

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Strindberg's Assistant is based on a short story idea from our Executive Producer, Colin Cameron. Although it now resembles very little from that original scheme, if it wasn't for Colin's initial insights, this tale would never have come about.

The concept of a Swedish housemaid sailing to America to work for a wealthy homeowner comes directly from our lead actress, Joyce Aasen. Joyce's grandmother really did come from Sweden to America to became a housemaid (for the mayor of Madison, Wisconsin). And she worked in the actual 1854 house--now the Livingston Inn--in which Joyce returned to with us to shoot several of her scenes! There are many layers of reality hidden within our short fictional tale.
IN MEMORIAM
COLIN CAMERON