In Raeden Greer's 'I Love You This Much,' a daughter looks after her sick father.

      Raeden Greer relied on profound personal experiences for her thought-provoking new short film “I Love You This Much,” where she portrays a young woman caring for an elderly father enduring constant pain.

      The film candidly addresses the question of when patients should have the right to end their own suffering, and it is cleverly structured to enhance both the story's emotional depth and its element of surprise. This approach is characteristic of Greer’s bold work, as she tackles difficult subjects without hesitation. Her production company, Foxy Foxy Films, operates under the motto, “Films about the things we don’t say out loud.”

      Prior to directing her own projects, Greer appeared in several prominent films, such as Magic Mike XXL, Maggie, and The Host.

      “I Love You This Much,” which features Barry Clifton as the father and Erica Michelle Singleton as a frustrated healthcare worker, will be screened this weekend at Little Rock’s esteemed Filmland film festival. This occasion represents another milestone in Greer's career; she recalls that years ago, when she began directing, her primary objective was to get her work into Filmland. She has achieved that goal, as the festival is organized by the Arkansas Cinema Society. Her film will be showcased on Saturday morning in the Pro Shorts: Mosaic block.

      We spoke with Greer about her experiences caring for her father, her transition from acting to directing, and her personal stance on the actions of her character in the film.

      Writer, director, editor, and actress Raeden Greer in “I Love You This Much.” Foxy Foxy Films.

      MovieMaker: Can you discuss the experiences that inspired this film?

      Raeden Greer: My father has been disabled from a stroke for nearly ten years. As an only child with divorced parents, he lives alone, which has placed a significant amount of responsibility on me to help him maintain his independence. A few years ago, my grandfather rapidly developed dementia and required inpatient care, and I was stunned to discover that the cost was around $8,000 a month out of pocket.

      The expense shocked me, and I began to wonder how families who couldn’t afford such care managed. My dad expressed that he never wanted to end up in a facility, exhausting his finances and losing his home, and he would want me to ensure that didn’t happen. I pondered what that meant for us, and this film became the answer.

      I recalled an episode of This American Life about a man who had navigated this path with his terminally ill partner, only to be arrested and prosecuted. I also heard firsthand accounts of a family taking their father from Arkansas to Switzerland for a medically assisted death as his dementia progressed. When financial resources are available, a whole different set of options becomes accessible. However, for those without means, they often find themselves in morally complicated and sometimes illegal situations to solve their issues.

      I've also witnessed how families frequently struggle to discuss their wishes regarding estate planning and medical directives. These conversations are challenging for many. Avoiding these topics often leads to mistakes and regrets. The issue of estate planning is also tied to class; affluent individuals can develop trusts and estate plans over a lifetime, while those with fewer resources often lack knowledge in this area, complicating end-of-life decisions.

      Just to clarify—I personally would not react as my character does. But as a means of exploring these issues, the narrative resonates with many individuals.

      MovieMaker: I've seen a number of "issues" films recently that conclude with a postscript, providing viewers with facts or details that the filmmaker feels they should know. I’m not a fan of that method, as it can give the film a PSA feel. However, I appreciate how you structured this movie—integrating important facts about the right to die into the narrative when your character Googles it. How did you approach structuring the story for emotional impact while also making a broader comment?

      Raeden Greer: I never want to spoon-feed my audience. I prefer to let them determine who is the hero and who is the antagonist, as their perspective may shift throughout the film. The joy of filmmaking for me lies in presenting information and allowing the audience to interpret it. I want that tension to linger as the credits roll.

      Every film I create addresses significant issues. I wouldn’t invest years and resources into making a film unless I aimed to convey something meaningful. I recall writing this script while crying, then putting it aside for months before returning to it and sobbing again. The emotional core of the story remains intact for me.

      I personally edit all of my films, and there were several impactful scenes we shot that didn't make it due to time constraints. There's so much material to explore, and I plan to turn this into a feature.

      Barry Clifton in “I Love You This Much.” Foxy Foxy Films

      MovieMaker: You began your career as an actress. What motivated you to take on writing and directing as well?

      Raeden Greer: When I entered the