Callie Hernandez Explores a Hidden Life in the Trailer for Courtney Stephens' Renowned Invention

      Last year, I had the opportunity to view an early cut of "Invention," a new film by Courtney Stephens (known for "Terra Femme" and "The American Sector") that skillfully navigates the realm between documentary and fiction. The film features Callie Hernandez as a woman searching for answers regarding her inventor father's death (the actress’ own father, shown through archival footage), which leads to an investigation that is both bureaucratic and conspiratorial. Stephens weaves together conversations (both informative and atmospheric) with sequences that may be dreams, fantasies, or emanations from one of her father's inventions. Despite being a fan of the director, I was not completely prepared for this experience, but I recognized it was unlike any recent narrative film. "Invention," co-credited to both the director and actress, is set to premiere at Metrograph on April 18 after its debut at Locarno last summer, where Hernandez rightfully received a Pardo for Best Performance in the Filmmakers of the Present section. Alongside this, a trailer has been released that effectively showcases Stephens' blend of the mundane with the unusual, as well as themes of grief and tension.

      As Rory O’Connor mentioned in his review, "If that intriguing material were all 'Invention' had to offer, it would still be engaging. However, the film excels not just as entertainment but also on aesthetic and conceptual levels. Stephens' use of 16mm cinematography harmonizes beautifully with both the archival footage and Hernandez’s ambiguous mental state. While her casting may not be a direct choice, her familiarity and presence as a celebrity adds something unique to 'Invention's' allure. This is further complemented by the inclusion of directors (with Joe Swanberg and Caveh Zahedi featuring, and Sahm McGlynn providing a memorable turn as a brief love interest) in supporting roles. Enhancing this storytelling environment, Stephens integrates her own voice and style into the final edit, allowing the film to overflow its conventional boundaries. Even the visuals of the device itself, seen glowing and humming in a blood-red room, possess a captivating quality."

      Watch the trailer below:

      The film dramatizes the aftermath of Hernandez’s father's passing, incorporating a real archive of various television appearances he made as an alternative health doctor from the late '90s to 2020. The fictional narrative centers on the patent of an experimental healing device that becomes the sole inheritance of his daughter, portrayed by Hernandez as 'Carrie Fernandez.' Featuring other independent filmmakers in acting roles, "Invention" acts as a portrayal of late-period America, a nation where widespread disillusionment permeates the culture with both hopeful fabrications and toxic nostalgia.