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Logline

When an aging supermodel’s (played by Claudia Sulewski) appeal begins to dim, she visits a magical apothecary in hopes of revitalizing her appearance but quickly learns that beauty comes at a price.

Synopsis

Poppy Jones is a world-renowned supermodel but, at the ancient age of 27, is struggling to maintain her career. She has worked her way up to the top of the industry alongside an influential fashion photographer, Keith Martin, but Keith essentially controls her career. He is very hands-on when it comes to working with his models and often crosses boundaries. Keith is in the process of discarding Poppy and replacing her with a younger model. So when Keith comments on Poppy’s lack of vivacity and suggests that she visit an apothecary and take anti-aging potions, she feels there isn’t another option. Poppy reluctantly goes to the apothecary, where she meets the store owner Cosmo and Cosmo’s pet frog. Cosmo’s wrinkleless face suggests she’s in her 20s, but she reveals she’s around 40 years old. And just like that, Poppy is on her way out with a vial filled with a magical green tincture. Poppy quickly notices fantastic results, but more is needed to gain Keith’s attention. What will Poppy have to do to maintain her appearance, and why is a fashion photographer sending models to an apothecary?

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Meet the Filmmakers

Caroline Iaffaldano – Writer/Director
Caroline Iaffaldano is a Los Angeles based filmmaker and director with a focus on surrealism and high style visuals. Caroline pushes the vibrancy and wonder in the world through bold cinematography, over the top production design, iconic fashion and makeup, magical sound design and grounded performances. She believes that everything in the frame should be meticulous and curated. She plays with symmetry, making the frame very controlled to reflect the inner world of her characters. She studied Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California and graduated in the Fall of 2019. Caroline has directed a range of material from narrative, to music video, to commercial work. She currently directs content for interior designer Kelly Wearstler.

Tallulah Dirnfeld – Producer
Tallulah Dirnfeld is a Los Angeles based producer. She worked as a Creative Executive, a Creative Coordinator as well as Jason Blum’s assistant at Blumhouse Productions. Prior to her two years at Blumhouse, she was an Executive Assistant at HBO, an Assistant at Verve Talent and Literary Agency and an intern at WME, NBCUniversal and Tribeca Film. Tallulah graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. She is from New York City and currently resides in Silver Lake.

Claudia Sulewski – Talent/Executive Producer
Claudia Sulewski is an actress, host and YouTuber. She debuted in the 2022 film I Love My Dad, co-starring James Morosini, who also writes and directs, and Patton Oswalt. The film premiered at South by Southwest, winning the Jury and Audience Awards in the Narrative Film Competition. In 2019, she appeared in an episode of Marvel’s Runaways. From 2016 to 2017, she appeared in the TV series The Commute, and from 2016 to 2018, in the webseries T@gged.

LE Seydel – Executive Producer
Laura Elizabeth (LE) Seydel is an impact-oriented producer and founder of Ted & Jane, a production company that prioritizes ethics and sustainability, based in Los Angeles, California. At UCLA School of Film and Television program, LE worked in film production and artist management, interning at Participant Media, Partizan Entertainment, and Red Light Management, and accepting a coordinating position to put on one the largest fully non profit music festivals in the nation, M3F Fest. After graduation, LE worked on production teams for clients ranging from Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish to WhatsApp and Spotify.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.