AUSTIN, Texas -- It's not uncommon for some arguing, pushing and shoving in a high school hallway. But at Pflugerville's Connally High School, it is scripted and rehearsed. It's a scene in the soon-to-be shot film narrative called "Fallen." But unlike your typical high school film project, this one is guaranteed a screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
"I'm thrilled when we get to do screenings here at the Alamo Drafthouse, let alone in France," said Humberto Perez, the video technology instructor at Connally High School. "So it would just be really incredible for the students."
The idea got started when independent filmmaker Dana Glover recently completed his seventh trip in a row to Cannes Film Festival.
"In May when we were there, we noticed a lot of high school aged students there, but none were from the U.S," said Glover.
Now living in Austin, Glover approached Perez and asked him if his students were up to the challenge.
"With Texas now pushing itself as the third coast, this film mecca, why not start at the high school level?" asked Glover.
For the last several months, the students have been writing and rehearsing. Sofia Castellanos, who moved here from Mexico, is the film's director.
"As the director, I have to bring my vision to the film," said Castellanos.
The film, written by Damian Flores, is a dark, psychological thriller about a troubled teen.
"He encounters several (people) and they kind of foretell what's going to happen later on," said Flores.
Before the film gets accepted to Cannes, it has to be screened. Thanks to Glover, that will happen in February. The students should know by March if their film has been accepted.
"Even if the film doesn't get accepted to Cannes, what it gives them is a work ethic that sticks with them for life," said Glover.
Connally High School is trying to raise about $50,000 so all 30 students involved in the film can attend the festival and watch the screening in person. If you'd like to help out or just learn more about their project, click on this website
