The Secret Friend
Encyclopedia
The Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan
. The film, directed by Flavio Alves
, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles. Filming took place in early 2009, mainly in Brooklyn
, New York
, and debuted at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival
, where it was chosen as Best of the Fest. The film centers around the character and life of Anna Marshall, a lonely, elderly widow living in a suburb of New York City, who develops a mysterious friendship with a silent caller.
, where it was chosen as the 2010 Best of the Fest. Since then, the film entered more than 60 film festivals and won 15 awards. It has also received an overall positive reception from critics, with most reviews singling out Viola Harris's performance. Phil Hall of Film Threat
, who gave the film a positive score for example, argued that Viola Harris "truly deserves to be in the center of the spotlight." Harry Haun of Playbill
called the film a "Golden" and Felix of Cinema Crazed called it "a slice of life" and gave the film three and a half stars out of four."
João Silvério Trevisan
João Silvério Trevisan is Brazilian author, playwright, journalist, screenwriter and film director. In his much-diversified oeuvres, he has published eleven books, among them great works of fiction, essays, short stories, and screenplays...
. The film, directed by Flavio Alves
Flavio Alves
Flavio Alves is a Brazilian writer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his book Toque de Silêncio , an autobiographical account of his life as a gay man in the Brazilian navy....
, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles. Filming took place in early 2009, mainly in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and debuted at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...
, where it was chosen as Best of the Fest. The film centers around the character and life of Anna Marshall, a lonely, elderly widow living in a suburb of New York City, who develops a mysterious friendship with a silent caller.
Plot
A reclusive, elderly widow, Anna Marshall, lives in quiet desperation following her husband’s death until she begins receiving daily phone calls from a silent stranger. At first Anna finds the calls intrusive, but as the calls continue unabated Anna finds herself waiting for her phone to ring with growing anticipation prompting her to reach out to her silent prankster. An odd and mysterious friendship evolves between the two as Anna shares her life experiences with startling honesty. Empty days are given new hope, but when the calls abruptly end a devastated Anna is compelled to surprising action to fill the unbearable void.Cast
- Viola Harris as Anna Marshall
- Siobhan Fallon as Julie
- Richard Scott as Telephone Company Manager
- Beau Hauser as Street Reporter
- Melvin Shrebnick as Older Man
Reception
The Secret Friend was well received at the Palm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...
, where it was chosen as the 2010 Best of the Fest. Since then, the film entered more than 60 film festivals and won 15 awards. It has also received an overall positive reception from critics, with most reviews singling out Viola Harris's performance. Phil Hall of Film Threat
Film Threat
Film Threat is a former print magazine and, now, webzine which focuses primarily on independent film, although it also reviews DVDs of mainstream films and Hollywood movies in theaters. It first appeared as a photocopied zine in 1985, created by Wayne State University students Chris Gore and André...
, who gave the film a positive score for example, argued that Viola Harris "truly deserves to be in the center of the spotlight." Harry Haun of Playbill
Playbill
Playbill is a monthly U.S. magazine for theatregoers. Although there is a subscription issue available for home delivery, most Playbills are printed for particular shows to be distributed at the door...
called the film a "Golden" and Felix of Cinema Crazed called it "a slice of life" and gave the film three and a half stars out of four."
Awards
- 2011 Audience Award for Best Short Film - Hyart Film Festival
- 2011 Jury Award for Best Short Film - Hardacre Film FestivalHardacre film festivalThe Hardacre Film Festival is Iowa's longest-running film festival. Based in Tipton, Iowa, the festival is held annually in the city's historic Hardacre Theater...
- 2011 Jury Award for Best Actress (Viola Harris) - CineFiesta
- 2011 Audience Award for Best Short Film - Indianapolis International Film FestivalIndianapolis International Film Festival-Mission & General Information:Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival seeks to create a shared experience by championing films that entertain, challenge and expand perspectives in Indianapolis and beyond...
- 2011 Jury Award for Best Short Film - Las Vegas International Film Festival
- 2011 Van Gogh Award for Best Short Film - Amsterdam Film Festival
- 2011 Special Jury Award for Best Short Film - Canada International Film Festival
- 2011 Jury Prize for Best Women's Short Film - Cleveland International Film FestivalCleveland International Film FestivalThe Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
- 2011 Jury Award for Best Drama - Griffon International Film Festival
- 2010 Cine Golden Eagle Award for Best Short Film - CINECINECINE is a consortium formulated to depict American life and thought realistically for a global audience. CINE recognizes and fosters the highest quality of non-theatrical film and video production through its semi-annual film competitions....
- 2010 Jury Award for Best Fiction Short - Rockport Film Festival
- 2010 Special Jury Award - Savannah Film Festival
- 2010 Best of the Fest - Palm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...