Westbury Arts held a test-screening of the highly anticipated short film SOUTH SHORE, starring Dexter Strong Buell, Dylan Hernandez, Hassan Bradley, and Brandi Satterfield. The evening was a celebration of local independent cinema, filled with intriguing discussions and insightful reflections.
Directed by Dexter Strong Buell and produced by Kevin Lopez and Justine Lucas, South Shore is a poignant narrative inspired by Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Sharer” and real events on Long Island. The film highlights themes of leaving and belonging, suspicion, and mutual aid through the story of a reclusive sailor who confronts a young immigrant man he suspects of a grave deed.
In developing the story, Buell and Lopez drew on their experience as educators in local schools in support of young people’s daily struggle to find a place for themselves in a complex world. “The young man at the center of this story is based on the experience of students we know and worked with directly,” Buell said.
The event began with a warm reception, where attendees mingled and prepared for the exclusive “sneak peek” screening. Following the screening, the audience participated in a dynamic “Q and A” session with the film’s creative team. This interaction allowed for deeper engagement with the film’s themes, particularly around immigration and mental health, enhancing the audience’s understanding of Long Island’s independent cinema scene and the role of art in social discourse.
The production of South Shore was made possible through the statewide community regrant program, supported by The New York State Council of the Arts, the Governor, and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the Huntington Arts Council. The film serves as a “proof of concept,” introducing characters and plots that lay the groundwork for a feature-length script developed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Buell and Lopez also made an appeal for further financial support, needed to bring this locally significant and socially impactful short film to distribution channels and film festivals nationwide. South Shore is a sponsored project of Aubin Pictures, Inc, a non-profit organization, and contributions towards the film are tax-deductible.
The team at South Shore invites the community to be part of this cinematic journey. To support this endeavor and contribute to the film’s success, donations can be made through the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HMLQJKLDEMH2G. Your support can help take this meaningful story to broader audiences, both locally and across the country.
