(bright music) (spirited music) - Welcome to "TV Film."

I'm Jermaine Wells.

"TV Film" showcases the talents of Upstate New York media makers across all genres.

In this episode, we have "Devour" by Victoria Diana.

- My name is Victoria Diana and the name of my short film is "Devour."

A struggling chef is closing up her restaurant for the night when a longtime ex shows up out of the blue.

And this ex is now a successful actress and the ex asked the chef to cook her her favorite meal.

My friends Kevin Miner and Kristen Noriega, they developed the story, and then when I took a crack at it, I really just wanted to explore themes of nostalgia and how things you remember aren't exactly quite how they are once reality sets in.

So that's really one of the themes I wanted to kind of explore with this film.

And then also just to show two people who just bring out kind of the worst in each other.

And once they're together again, kind of their bad habits start to resurface.

And we kind of showed that too with colors.

So all the alcohol has red labels.

And then her ex, the actress Renee, she's wearing red.

And then the cigarettes that Renee had quit, that were her bad habit, are green.

And then we had the chef, Erin, wear green.

So kind of to resemble that they are their kind of bad habit as well.

And then they also bring out kind of the worst in each other.

I found out about the CNY Arts Competition through having gone to SUNY Oswego.

And so they gave $40,000 to four filmmakers.

And then one of the stipulations was we had to film the film in Central New York, which is fine 'cause my film was already set in Upstate New York.

So we filmed it in Syracuse at the Marriott Syracuse Hotel, which is also like a gorgeous hotel.

Like, it really like, where we filmed was in a newer part of it.

But the hotel just looks beautiful.

Like it definitely if they remake "The Shining," like it should be filmed there 'cause it's gorgeous.

It's kind of creepy 'cause it's very old but it is a beautiful hotel.

And one thing that really benefited it was that this script was two people in a room, just for the most part, it's one location, talking to each other where and because of it being in times of like where everything was shut down for COVID, it was a lot more producible to film.

And even without COVID, it was just much more producible to film because it's just two actors in one location.

I think the most enjoyable part for me was the collaboration.

A lot of my friends got to work on the film.

Everyone was a local to Upstate New York, so either they were local to Syracuse or they were local to the Albany area.

And then all of our actors were from New York as well.

So it was very a film that just showcases how many creative people are in Upstate New York.

We have a film scene here, a really strong beautiful film scene, and that a lot of people don't know that's in Syracuse and that's in Albany.

They don't know that we are here, but we are and we're making movies.

(nostalgic music) (car door opens) (nostalgic music continues) (door swings) (nostalgic music continues) - [Erin] It's clean.

What are you still doing here?

- (sighs) Just finishing up, chef.

- [Erin] So when's your next shift?

- This was my last, chef.

- Oh, right.

You're gonna be at the, um... - Uh, the new speakeasy.

Yeah.

- I will have to stop in sometime.

- They don't actually serve food there, so.

- Okay.

Thank you.

Well, good luck out there.

Or over there.

So... - Thank you, chef.

- I'll lock up behind you.

- You sure?

- Go.

- Thank you.

(door opens) (door closes) - Did you forget something?

- [Renee] I don't know.

Did I?

(pensive music) - Renee.

Oh my God.

You look amazing!

What are you doing here?

Okay, are you with someone?

What time is it?

What are you doing here?

- (laughs) You're exactly how I remember.

- Well, I think it's been longer than you remember.

- No, don't make it sound so old.

It's only been like... - Seven years, give or take.

- The blink of an eye.

- Well, the blink of an eye has been good to you.

(stammers) Can I get you something?

Coffee, a drink?

- Mm.

I'll take a scotch, chef.

- Hold on a minute.

You're not a scotch girl.

- No, I'm a Scotch woman.

(Erin chuckles) Two fingers.

- All right.

The finest scotch for the Renee Hall.

- I'm honored.

- Whatever happened to Renee Marquez?

Not Hollywood enough for them?

- Hall is my mother's maiden name.

Besides, Renee Marquez was already registered with SAG so.

- Ugh.

(Renee laughs) Well, I liked Renee Marquez.

- No, you liked her because she was that wide-eyed waitress you hired all those years ago.

- Oh, I thought it was the blink of an eye.

So you didn't tell me what you're doing all the way up here.

- Um, aren't you gonna make yourself a real drink?

- No, I can't.

Right now.

- Can't?

Won't?

Don't want to?

- A little of each.

- Come on.

You can't let an old friend drink by herself.

Just one.

(solemn music) - Maybe next time.

- Okay.

You used to be a lot more fun.

- Yeah.

Well, we can't all play make-believe for a living.

Oh God.

I'm sorry.

- [Erin] I didn't mean to upset you, if I struck nerve, I'm... - No, no.

I'm fine.

Really.

I'm just...

I was stupid.

I'm a stupid girl.

- Stupid woman.

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

- (chuckles) Nothing.

I'm fine.

- God, it doesn't look like nothing.

- No.

I need to go to the ladies' room.

(solemn music continues) (Erin sighs) (solemn music continues) (Renee exhaling) Okay.

(clears throat) How are your wife and kids?

(chuckles) So, tell me, how are the wife and kids?

Hmm?

How are your wife and kids, hmm?

Good?

Yeah.

Good.

(footsteps approach) I'm so sorry about that.

(laughs) My therapist would be jealous.

I never cry like that for her.

- Wanna smoke?

- Yeah.

(bright jukebox music) - Why am I so lucky to be graced with the presence of Renee... - I'm sorry.

Is that your new ride?

- Mhm.

- What happened to the Buick?

- She had a good run, but I had to put her down.

About five years ago.

- Oh man, I loved that car.

- Mm-mm!

You hated that car.

- I did not.

- Yes, you did.

Oh, you hated that it didn't have air conditioning and the passenger side window always got stuck and you couldn't charge your iPod.

- Yeah, I don't remember any of that.

- Hmm.

Well, it was time to get a car with functioning airbags.

More family-friendly.

- Ah, yes.

- You really scared me earlier.

Is everything okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

I was just...

I was at a party in the city and...

I just miss when it was about the work.

It's not about being the best actress, it's just not anymore.

I have to go to the party and smile and sit, stay, do a trick, play dead.

God.

It's soul sucking.

I'm constantly playing the Renee Hall.

I just...

I miss when parties were fun, you know?

Now I'm constantly on the clock.

See, you get your big break and you think, "I've made it.

I can relax now."

But it only gets more complicated.

It's just this precarious path of yeses and nos.

And any decision I make could ruin me.

And everyone loves you until they don't.

I am a perishable item with a looming expiration date.

I was supposed to fly to LA today, but something came over me and before I knew it, I was on a train to Syracuse.

(nostalgic music) And I could really use a familiar meal with an old friend if it's not too much to ask.

- It's not.

- I mean, I know it's late and everything.

- I'd be happy to.

- Yeah?

- Come on.

(nostalgic music continues) - Hey, look what I found.

What do you think?

Just one toast, hmm?

(nostalgic music continues) - Sure.

Why not?

To old friends.

- And familiar meals.

(glass clink) (nostalgic music continues) - Mm.

I haven't had a drink in five months.

- Oh my gosh.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know or else I wouldn't have... - No, it's like you said, it's a special occasion.

- Man, I miss this place.

- It misses you.

(nostalgic music continues) - So, um, how are the wife and kids?

(solemn music) - Good.

They're good.

- Oh.

Well, that's not very specific.

How old are they?

And, uh, your wife.

What's her... - Oh, Rachel?

- Oh yeah.

Rachel.

Do you want another one?

(solemn music continues) Look, can we just rewind and skip over the whole, "Hey, how are you finding yourself?"

and just talk to each other like we actually know each other?

Because clearly I cried five minutes after I got here.

So, seriously, fire away.

- Yikes.

You did, didn't you?

- Mhm.

- (sighs) Okay.

Let's see.

How are the wife and kids?

Well, I don't know 'cause I haven't seen them in, oh, let's round it out to five months now.

And how am I?

Well, I have worked myself into a pit of exhaustion and annoyance and loneliness and I've pushed everything good away because that is what I deserve.

- That's what I'm talking about.

- (laughs) Thank you.

You see, I don't need a shrink.

I know exactly why I do the things I do.

- Hmm.

- Welcome to my prison.

I built it all up myself and I sealed the lock with every horrible decision I've ever made.

(solemn music continues) And I just watched the last person with any proper work ethic walk out the door today.

God, this used to be such an exciting place.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins would celebrate their anniversary every year.

He'd always order the lobster bisque even though it wasn't on the menu anymore, and we'd have to call Jessie the day of.

And she would get the monk fish and they'd drink half a bottle of Chablis and take the rest home.

- Yeah.

Gosh, they had the best travel stories, didn't they?

- Oh yeah.

- Oh, and Jessie the fish monger.

She loved you.

You always turn into the biggest flirt when you talked to her.

(Erin laughs) - Well, you always flirt with the fish monger.

This place will be going down in flames, but at least we'll have the freshest squid in town.

(Renee chuckles) (solemn music continues) Laughter.

This place used to be filled with laughter and compliments and life.

And... (solemn music continues) - So, um, do they still come?

- No.

Mrs. Collins died about three years ago.

And last I heard, Mr. Collins moved to an assisted living facility in Florida.

The finest jello in the panhandle.

- Oh.

(solemn music continues) - It's done.

Your grilled cheese, madam.

And a roasted heirloom tomato soup.

Oh, and... Chablis in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Collins.

(Renee laughs) What's wrong?

- Oh, nothing.

- What's wrong?

- Nothing.

It just...

It looks different.

- Well, I made a few tweaks here and there, but it's all for the better.

I promise.

Well, what do you think?

- It's fine.

- Fine?

- It's good.

- Just good?

- It's great!

It's not bad.

It's just not how I remember it.

- Well, it's all good improvements.

- [Renee] I'm not saying it's not.

- That's a $40 Fontina cheese.

- I'm not saying it's not good.

I'm just saying it's not how I remember.

Seriously.

Thank you.

Really.

I appreciate it.

- Did you get your teeth done?

- Mhm.

- When did you do that?

- I don't know.

Years ago.

- Huh.

Why?

- Because they were too small for my face.

- (scoffs) They looked fine to me.

- Could you stop that, please?

- I'm just trying to see what else you changed.

- Well, a lady never tells.

- Your lips!

They're puffier.

(Renee scoffs) Oh, Renee.

(sighs) Your name, your face.

I mean, where does it end?

- I got my teeth done when I got my first big paycheck.

I was proud of that.

And yes, I've had lip fillers and you know what?

I've also had Botox right here.

(Erin sighs) What?

- Nothing.

- No.

You're making this face.

What is it?

- Do you know what your problem is?

- Please enlighten me.

- You have absolutely no idea who you are.

God, I don't even think you care to find out.

And you are terrified for the day that you're no longer famous.

Mhm.

Because that?

That is the day that you are stuck with you.

And that is why you're so miserable.

And you could have had anything on the menu.

A James Beard semi-finalist menu and all you ever wanted was a grilled cheese.

- I am sorry that my palate isn't refined enough for your liking.

I'm sorry I would come to work after a audition for a car dealership that I knew I wouldn't hear back from and then work this long exhausting shift.

And then we would close the restaurant and I would sit here and you would make me a grilled cheese.

And it was the closest thing to family I'd ever felt.

You hold everyone to this ridiculous standard and yet you can't even be bothered to keep a family or a business, let alone stay sober for more than a few days.

- Months!

And I drank tonight because you wanted me to.

- You're a grown woman, Erin.

And I said one drink, not 10.

- I can't stop once I start, which is why I quit!

- You're pathetic.

(sighs) I'm starting to realize again why I left.

- [Erin] Oh God.

That is not why you left.

You left because I the hostess.

- Oh right.

Yeah.

And how's that going?

Oh right.

She left with the kids.

Turns out your parenting style's on par with everything else.

James Beard semi-finalist, yet nobody gives a about the guy that almost wins.

- You are such a self-absorbed b... (groans) who can barely act away from the camera, (stammers) let alone in front of it.

- Yeah, and your pathetic sack of can't even be bothered to cook a decent meal anymore!

(dish shatters) (Erin screams) (Erin pants) (fist thuds) - [Erin] Renee, why did you come?

- Because I wanted to see you.

- Did it feel good?

- It's not that it's not good, it's just...

It's not how I remember it.

- (sighs) I think it's time for you to leave.

- Bye, Erin.

(footsteps depart) - I'll lock up behind you.

(footsteps depart) (Erin sighs) ♪ I tried to warn you somehow ♪ ♪ You had your way ♪ ♪ Now you must pay ♪ ♪ I'm glad that you're sorry now ♪ ♪ Right to the end ♪ ♪ Just like a friend ♪ (dish pieces clattering) ♪ I tried to warn you somehow ♪ (jukebox music) ♪ You had your way ♪ ♪ Now you must pay ♪ ♪ I'm glad that you're sorry now ♪ (jukebox music ends) - Learn more about the films and filmmakers in this season of "TV Film" at wmht.org/tvfilm and be sure to connect with WMHT on social media.

I'm Jermaine Wells.

- Nowadays where everybody just seems to just want to live in the past and every movie is a sequel or a reboot and everything is just kind of nostalgia bait is to just kind of have a film where it's kind of showing that just living in the past or just being nostalgic doesn't actually work.

And then once kind of like that illusion is broken and then you're left with reality, you have to deal with it and you have to pick up the pieces.

And so at the end of the film, Erin is literally picking up the pieces of this nostalgic illusion that's shattered by like picking up the plate pieces.

And so it just kind of shows that like we have to kind of get back to reality and fix this reality instead of just living in nostalgia.

- [Narrator] "TV Film" is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.