30/20
Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris previously starred together in Gone Baby
Scenario
Involved in a mysterious relationship with her deceased best friend from the military, a female Afghanistan veteran meets her grandfather, a Vietnam vet, at the family’s ancestral lake home. Gone (2007)..
Kyle Hausman-Stock (writer, director, producer) delivers heart-pounding independent films and purposeful storytelling
This was by far the best opening at this year’s SXSW Film Festival! My Dead Friend Zoe is so emotionally powerful that it’s a standing ovation.
The multi-generational elements and multiple timelines add complexity without losing the audience
The film is tense and sweet, with laugh-out-loud comedic moments – moments we can all relate to. Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris as Vietnam vets offer different perspectives, as do Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales as Afghanistan vets.
The story feels authentic because the cast and acting are impeccable
I am not a vet, but I gained a new understanding, not only of the issues surrounding military service, but also of grief and post-service reintegration. Ultimately, I see this film as a story about treating everyone with dignity and compassion, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.