At the Locarno Film Festival, the innovative film Invention by director Courtney Stephens and actress Callie Hernandez is captivating audiences with its unique approach to storytelling and deep dive into grief and American mythology.
The film, which features Hernandez as Carrie—a woman who inherits a mysterious electromagnetic healing device from her late father—offers more than a traditional narrative. The device, reminiscent of something from a sci-fi movie, is central to the film’s exploration of grief and the complex relationship between Carrie and her father, a figure known for his dubious claims as a spiritual healer.
Invention challenges conventional genre boundaries, blending autobiography, documentary, and archival footage. Stephens and Hernandez describe it as a “diary of its own making,” reflecting the film’s organic development during the writers’ strike and post-COVID-19 era.
The filmmakers aim to demystify unconventional grieving processes and the belief systems underpinning American life, acknowledging that conspiracy theories and fairytales can offer hope and insight. Their approach is both compassionate and introspective, focusing on the personal impact of these narratives rather than condemnation.
Hernandez’s portrayal of Carrie captures the disordered nature of grief, emphasizing that healing is a disorganized, evolving process. Through their hands-on production methods and empathetic storytelling, Stephens and Hernandez highlight the significance of even the smallest interactions in navigating loss and the American Dream.
Invention stands out not only for its inventive format but also for its profound exploration of emotional truths, making it a memorable entry in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente category at Locarno.
