OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Stockholm City Film Festival - Award Winner 🏆 Best Producer
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) - Multiple Award Nominations 🏆 Best Canadian Short, Best Supporting Actress & Best Producer
PREMIERES & SCREENINGS
North American Premiere
Toronto Short Film Festival - March 13-17 at the Paradise Cinema, 1006 Bloor St. West
WRITER'S VISION
FOOL'S GAME
Fool’s Game came to me during a time of great personal reflection, when I was at a crossroads in my life. Faced with pivotal decisions about family planning, and what I felt to be unrealistic gender stereotypes and societal expectations, this story was my way of exploring a path through it. Seen through the lens of four very different characters, this film explores human relationships, the asymmetries that exist within them, and aspires to speak to those who defy traditional structures.
Set entirely in one house, during one tumultuous night, Fool’s Game also relentlessly explores human nature and our inability to be happy, regardless of our circumstances. Our audience is introduced to two couples meeting over dinner – one that reflects a traditional marriage, another a less conventional one – and both who suffer considerable breakdowns. Aligning the dinner with the metaphor of chess seemed fitting, as it reflected a power struggle with unintended consequences.
By the time the credits roll, we want our audience to wonder: what is the nature of happiness, and did any character walk away unscathed? And most importantly, when all the pieces have fallen into place, what party suffered the most damage?
CHARACTER SUMMARIES
FOOL'S GAME
PETER GRAHAM (JORDAN DUARTE)
30s, married to Ava. He is an architect, father to 2-year-old Harper, and Cal Alum. He attended UC Berkeley with Matt and
Ava back in the early 2000s.
AVA GRAHAM (LORA BURKE)
30s, married to Peter. She is a former teacher, Harper’s mom, and stay-at-home mother. She is also Cal Alum (graduate of
UCBerkeley).
MATT BOYER (FUAD AHMED)
30s, married to Samantha. He is a political speech writer who is passionate about democracy, and has dedicated his life
to fighting climate change & economic disparity. He is also Cal Alum(graduate of UC Berkeley).
SAMANTHA "SAM" BOYER (ANGELA BELL)
30s, married to Matt. She is a journalist and activist, who travels the world to cover global crisis stories for a local news
outlet.
HARPER GRAHAM (ADELAIDE DUARTE)
2-year child of Peter & Ava.
SYNOPSIS
FOOL'S GAME
Fool’s Game tells the story of two couples that come together for a long, overdue dinner and the surprising revelations that come to light during the course of one evening of revelry and reconnecting.
Peter and Ava are middle class couple with a 2 year old daughter. The new addition to their family has put a strain on their marriage and things have grown a bit stale. Ava misses her old career and is feeling the pressure of being a stay-at-home mother, while Peter has settled into routine, but boredom has crept in. He’s feeling neglected, so there is a palpable excitement as he prepares a beautiful meal for his old college friend, Matt, and his new wife, Sam.
When Matt arrives for dinner, Peter and Ava meet Sam for the first time – a fiercely intelligent, curious and liberal journalist with strong opinions about the world. Matt, who is enjoying success as a political speech writer, and Sam seem like the perfect power couple to Peter. Their jet-setting life of adventure and new love leaves him a bit jealous. As the dinner party continues, the discussions deepen and secrets emerge, throwing the dinner into chaos and challenging the couples’ understanding of love, betrayal, monogamy, and marriage. The revelations force them to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of their relationships and what the future holds for them.