‘Plainclothes’ Explores the Role ⁢of⁤ Suppressing⁤ Emotions

‍ ‍ updated June 16, 2025
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A new film, “Plainclothes,” delves into the complexities of emotional suppression, a theme the filmmaker found resonated universally during test screenings. The director, inspired by personal experiences and observations,⁢ aims to spark reflection on how individuals often conceal their true selves.

The film’s origins⁤ trace back‍ to the director’s hometown of Syracuse, New York, and observations of family, notably a brother becoming a ⁤police officer. Research ⁤into societal expectations, specifically the notion that boys are taught to‍ suppress emotions, further fueled the project. The central question became: What happens when you police your feelings and ⁤the impact⁢ it⁤ has on⁢ your role in society?

Filming in Syracuse was a dream come true, the director said, allowing for ‍a⁣ “true homegrown experience” wiht close friends from USC film school filling key roles, including Vanessa Pantley ⁣as producer, Alessandra Ford Balazs as Jessie, and Erik ⁢Vogt-Nilsen as ⁣editor. Investor Arthur Landon also showed dedication by being⁣ on set all ⁢18 days of the shoot.

One critically important hurdle involved losing a ⁣key filming ⁤location shortly⁣ before production. The director had envisioned filming ‍at a specific spot in Syracuse for years, even shooting a proof of concept there. However, a change in management led to the⁢ location being denied. This forced a rapid reimagining of the film’s visuals.

If I ⁢can definitely help people realize how they might police their feelings and ‍hold back ⁣their true selves, even in the smallest way, I feel like I’ve done my job.

If not ⁣a filmmaker, the⁢ director said they would likely be ⁣a therapist, also expressing a fondness⁢ for acting, recalling a role ⁢in Anton Chekhov’s “The Proposal.”

What’s⁢ next

The ⁤director hopes “Plainclothes” will encourage viewers⁤ to consider the ways they ⁤might be policing their own feelings, irrespective of their ‍background.