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Logline

Mara postponed her career to raise her daughters, allowing her husband to become a professor at an elite liberal arts college. After discovering he hid a sexual misconduct complaint from a student, Mara develops a secret friendship with his accuser that threatens her family and career.

Synopsis

MARA JAMES postponed her career to raise JULIE (4) and MONICA (6 mos) while her husband BRUCE BRADEN became a professor at prestigious Maynford College. Mara is ready to restart her career after a difficult pregnancy. On the day she is announced as a finalist in the Economics Department, Mara discovers Bruce was accused, and cleared, of sexual misconduct by a student. The case is closed. Bruce never told her.

Mara discovers the student accusing Bruce is ARIELLE HERRERA, her daughter’s swim instructor. Mara befriends Arielle, trying to understand her accusation. Arielle, vulnerable after the college deemed her account “uncredible,” never suspects that Mara is Bruce’s wife. As Mara’s hiring process advances, so does her friendship.

In the college’s natatorium, Arielle finally confides in Mara. Bruce was her advisor; his office was intellectually exhilarating; his attention made her feel special. Arielle kissed Bruce first, but then Bruce assaulted her. Her account is compelling and believable. Mara confronts Bruce. He admits to intimacy with Arielle, but denies the assault. His account is compelling. Torn between the two stories, Mara struggles to move forward, but refocuses on her career under the watchful eyes of GLORIA, her best friend and a senior administrator.

At Monica’s swim presentation, Arielle realizes Mara is Bruce’s wife. The confrontation spirals into chaos as Julie is left unattended in the pool and Bruce barely saves her from drowning. Mara offers Arielle a graduate scholarship. Arielle, indignant, sees it as a bribe. Their confrontation turns physical. At graduation, Arielle stands apart. Mara reconciles with Bruce. The following semester, Mara joins the faculty. She thinks she sees Arielle in a crowded hallway, speaking to Bruce—but it’s not her. Mara finds herself alone, aware of her new reality.

Meet the Filmmakers

David Miranda Hardy — Writer/Director
David is a Chilean-American writer and director. David’s 10-episode political thriller, BALA LOCA, streamed on Netflix and was nominated for a Peabody Award. The NYT, Variety, and Rotten Tomatoes have all recommended the Chilean miniseries. David is a 2022 Sundance Screenwriting Lab alumnus, where he developed THE SWIM LESSON. Before writing and directing films and television, David crafted the sound design for films like Lucrecia Martel’s THE HOLY GIRL and Pablo Larraín’s Oscar-nominated film JACKIE.

Ali Salem — Producer
Ali is a filmmaker, producer, and marketing strategist. He is currently the Sr. Director of Growth Strategy at HBO Max. Before HBO, he used data to develop the marketing strategy for over 40 theatrical releases at Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Ali wrote and directed IT WILL BE THE PAST, which won ‘Most-Innovative Short’ at the Vermont International Film Festival. Ali was a Sundance Creative Producing Intensive Fellow and a Producers Guild of America CREATE Fellow with the feature film THE SWIM LESSON.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact [email protected].