The Sweet East
Absurdist and energetic road movie about a high school girl who separates from her class during a school trip and subsequently encounters the frayed edges of contemporary America.
High school student Lillian – played by Talia Ryder, best known for her role in NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS – is a passive high school student who is bored during her school trip to Washington D.C. When she becomes separated from her group, she goes off on her own and starts a road trip through the cities and forests of the east coast. Separated from her classmates, she tumbles through America like some sort of Alice in Wonderland. She meets a broad variety of strange people: neo-Nazis, Qanon supporters and hipster filmmakers.
THE SWEET EAST is the directorial debut of Sean Price Williams, known as cinematographer of GOOD TIME, among other projects. The filmmaker creates a world full of cinematic references and sharp satire, highlighting the absurdities of contemporary America. In addition to Talia Ryder – who also sang the opening number – the cast includes a host of talented actors and a particularly eclectic soundtrack. The film had its world premiere at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and went on to win numerous awards at various international festivals.