Amber Lake
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Rating: 5.0/5 (4 votes cast)

Three half-sisters, after being invited to their father's lake house to meet him and each other for the first time, are each questioned by a local sheriff to explain the events that took place leading up to the discovery of their father floating dead in the lake. Using a Rashomon effect, each sister gives a slightly different account of the events, with each version pointing a finger at a different sister, while the sheriff must sort through the details to find out what really happened. What he discovers in the end is not what he expected.
Why It's FilmBuff
Complex storytelling with multiple points of view and an all-female led cast make Amber Lake stand out amongst formulaic and male-dominated thrillers. Beginning with improv sessions that led to the official script, this way of working actually allowed each actress to create fuller and richer characters. Through all of these elements, Amber Lake became a rich, multilayered film that creates moods and moments greater than those in many big-budget thrillers in recent history.

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81 mins - ,
Cast:
  • Carmen Argenziano
    ... Patrick Thomas
  • Polly Cole
    ... Amber Thomas
  • Mekenna Melvin
    ... Amber Hannold
  • Timothy V. Murphy
    ... Sergeant Eugene Stockard
  • Natalie Smyka
    ... Amber Allen
Crew:
  • Director:
    Joe Robert Cole
  • Writer:
    Joe Robert Cole
  • Producers:
    Chris Bruno
  • Producers:
    Lauren Craniotes
  • Producers:
    Chris Dechert
  • Producers:
    Jace Hall
Production Company:
C and C Films