DLNews PS Film Festival:

Palm Springs, Calif. -Welcome to the captivating tale behind "Dawn Dusk," a documentary that journeys deep into the heart of art, grief, and triumphant rebirth. This isn't your average story about the ascent of a leather bag designer; it's a profound exploration of human resilience, a saga that begins in tragedy but stretches its narrative wings toward hope and forgiveness.

The story unfolds with Chelli Look, a leather bag designer whose craft becomes her sanctuary after the tragic murder of her sister by her brother-in-law. What started as a concept for a brief “maker” documentary by directors Blue & Jason Gerber blossomed over six years into a 92-minute exploration of Chelli's soulful odyssey. This intensely personal portrait is set to premiere at 2:30 pm on March 24th at the American Documentary & Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) in sunny Palm Springs, CA.

At its core, "Dawn Dusk" is a delicate tapestry of emotion and creativity, painting Chelli's journey through the darkest and brightest moments of her life. A decade after the loss that reshaped her world, Chelli stands at the cusp of unveiling her latest collection, Dawn Dusk. It's a poignant testament to her sister Megan's memory, a balancing act between honoring a legacy and nurturing her artistic spirit.

Directors Blue & Jason Gerber stumbled upon this narrative goldmine during what was supposed to be a casual chat over coffee. Chelli's candid revelation about her sister's murder and her path to forgiveness set the documentary's proper course. The filmmakers found themselves not just documenting an artist's work but bearing witness to a profound story of grief metamorphosing into creative expression.

The filming odyssey, primarily from 2016 to 2019, saw the directors capture over 80 hours of Chelli's personal and professional life. A significant turning point was documented during Chelli's three-month sabbatical in Florence, Italy, in the fall of 2018, when she delved into advanced leather bag design at Scuola del Cuoio. This journey began a new chapter, sparking a surprising and transformative revelation in Chelli's artistic voyage.

Blue & Jason enlisted a team of skilled filmmakers to weave these moments into a cohesive narrative. Editor and co-producer Meredith Mantik came on board during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. The musical heartbeat of the film was entrusted to Silas Hite, whose compositions promised to enhance the narrative's emotional depth. The soundscape came alive under the magic of William McGuigan and his team at Gypsy Sound, while colorist Clark Griffiths lent the film its distinct visual tone. The graphic elegance of the documentary was the handiwork of Tayler Culligan, a college friend of Blue & Jason, who designed the title and various text graphics.

"Dawn Dusk" is more than a documentary; it's an invitation to witness the power of forgiveness and the resilience of the human spirit. Chelli Look's journey encourages us to find our "pink in the sky," reminding us that even in the darkest times, there's always a glimmer of light waiting to be discovered.