ALBANY — Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, a talented filmmaker from Albany, gained recognition as a “wunderkind” in Hollywood. At just 23 years old, his debut feature film, “As You Are,” won a Special Jury Award at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
However, Joris-Peyrafitte faced numerous challenges over the next seven years while trying to get his next film project off the ground. Financing deals fell through and the coronavirus pandemic brought production to a halt. Despite these setbacks, Joris-Peyrafitte remained hopeful and persevered.
Finally, last year, the stars aligned when investors committed millions of dollars to the independent film and Hilary Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, signed on to play the lead role. Set in Albany, the film explores the dark and gritty side of the city, depicting a mother’s search for truth amid the heroin epidemic. Joris-Peyrafitte coined the term “Albany noir” to describe its vibe.
Just as Joris-Peyrafitte and his team, including his childhood friend and co-writer Madison Harrison, were about to start filming in Albany, there was a request from the investors to shoot the film in New Jersey. Frustrated but determined, Joris-Peyrafitte made it clear that Albany was the only place he wanted to make the movie.
“The Good Mother,” a 90-minute thriller, is now set to open in multiple theaters in Albany, with a special screening and audience Q&A featuring Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison at the Madison Theatre on September 7. It is a narrative that has come full circle for the two childhood friends who grew up in Albany and attended The Free School together.
The film showcases Albany’s authentic, yet flawed, nature. It offers an honest portrayal of a place that holds both love and hate for its inhabitants. Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison aim to delve into the strength and resilience of the people of Albany as they navigate through grief.
In addition to their artistic goals, Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison hired local actors, production assistants, and members of Youth FX, an organization that provides opportunities for young filmmakers of color in Albany’s underserved neighborhoods.
The film explores themes of loss, drug addiction, and the search for truth set against the backdrop of the 2016 presidential election and its impact on society. Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison were influenced by noir films such as “Klute” and “The Third Man,” which inspired their visual storytelling approach.
Working with Hilary Swank proved to be a valuable learning experience for Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison. Swank’s dedication and knowledge of filmmaking brought depth to her character and elevated the project.
Despite the challenges they faced, the cast and crew managed to complete filming within 24 days and on a tight budget. The release of “The Good Mother” comes at a difficult time for the industry, with a strike affecting Hollywood writers and actors. However, Joris-Peyrafitte and Harrison are grateful to have finished the film and see it receive a theatrical release.
Joris-Peyrafitte composed the score for the film, and cinematographer Charlotte Hornsby used anamorphic lenses to enhance the visual quality. Despite its modest budget, the film’s talented crew made it look like a higher-budget production.
Ultimately, Joris-Peyrafitte hopes that audiences leave the theater with a newfound appreciation for Albany, a city that surprised even out-of-town cast and crew members with its charm and potential as a filming location.
And as the release date approaches, the filmmaker’s excitement is palpable. Albany may not be New Jersey, but it has become the heart of Joris-Peyrafitte’s filmmaking journey.
Paul Grondahl, the Opalka Endowed Director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter, can be reached at [email protected].
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