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Logline

Decades after the death of his sister Jo, Rick is suddenly pulled into a quiet reckoning with her memory; confronting the guilt he’s carried and the healing he never believed he deserved.

Synopsis

Rick, a grief-hardened tow truck driver, lives in quiet collapse, until the ghost of his sister Jo returns – forcing him to confront a past he’s spent decades avoiding. Their reunion plays out in the liminal space between memory and reality, as buried trauma resurfaces: a violent father, a silent mother, and a single Zippo lighter that outlived them all. As Jo guides Rick through flashbacks of childhood pain and lost innocence, the film becomes a slow-burning meditation on guilt, forgiveness, and the emotional purgatory of unresolved grief. Told with visual poetry and raw stillness, The Past is Patient blends the haunting intimacy of A Ghost Story with the emotional grit of Leave No Trace; a restrained, aching story about learning to let go.
 

 

Meet the Filmmakers

David Dodson — Co-Writer/Director/Editor
David Dodson is an accomplished film director and editor with a career spanning over two decades. He has edited a diverse range of projects, from commercials and music videos to feature films. Most recently David edited the MGM feature About Fate starring Emma Roberts, Britt Robertson, Cheryl Hines, and Thomas Mann, as well as High Expectations starring Taylor Gray and Kelsey Grammer.

In 2018 David released the faux-documentary drama, The Landing (with co-writer/director, Mark Dodson). After a remarkable festival run, The Landing earned a limited theatrical release and is now playing on VOD, Hulu, and other streaming services.

David is most known for his personal and professional relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has directed (and edited) in several films including the highest-grossing Ukrainian movie of all time, Me You He She (2018). His international experience and storytelling acumen have earned him recognition in the global film community.

Mele Black — Producer/Writer/Actor
Mele Black is a writer, actor, musician, and storyteller whose path to filmmaking was anything but linear. While she always knew she wanted to make art, her pull toward film came later in life; a natural evolution shaped by her neurodivergence and deep roots in music and visual expression. Her creative work is grounded in emotional honesty: Sometimes raw, sometimes subtle, sometimes awkward, but always deeply human. She is drawn to stories that linger long after the credits roll & narratives that ask questions, leave space for reflection, and speak to the quiet truths we all carry. Since beginning her acting journey in late 2022, Mele has starred in several feature films, shorts, and theatrical productions. She recently wrote a comedic treatment about a dysfunctional HOA, which was adapted for the stage play Shady Palms. She lives in Los Angeles with her two children, her (very patient) husband, a cat, a dog, and four fish– down from six, despite her best efforts.

Jasmin Please — Producer
Jasmin Haugstuen Please is a Norwegian-born actor, producer, and writer with an international background and a passion for emotionally resonant, character-driven stories. She is the founder of Fake ID Productions, where she develops bold, emotionally driven stories with a global lens. Past credits include Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Lucky Alien, and Clown Olympics. Having lived and worked in Norway, England, Kenya, Hawaii, and Los Angeles, Jasmin’s global perspective informs her creative voice and collaborative process. In The Past is Patient, she is a huge champion for this project as producer.

Jason Lehel — Cinematographer
Jason Lehel is an award-winning cinematographer known for his poetic visual sensibility and painterly use of natural light. With decades of experience behind the camera, Jason’s work spans narrative features, documentaries, music videos, and commercial campaigns; all unified by a deep commitment to emotional truth and visual storytelling. Some of Jason’s notable works include Coyote Requiem (2014), Gaia (2009), Robin Hood (1991) & Gorillas in the Mist (1988). His directorial debut (Gaia) was celebrated for its intimate portrayal of grief and its collaboration with Indigenous communities. With minimal dialogue & no traditional script, Gaia invited its viewers into a visceral sensory experience, reflecting Lehel’s deep reverence for behavior. A classically trained still photographer turned filmmaker, Jason brings a uniquely intuitive eye to his cinematography, often favoring organic movement, analog formats, and a collaborative, story-first approach.

Brian Carr — Composer
Brian Carr is a composer, musician, and writer whose work spans television, film, and commercial media. He began his career in 2004 as an assistant and orchestrator for Ron Jones, contributing to nine seasons of Family Guy and four seasons of American Dad. Over the years, he has written for networks including Discovery, National Geographic, the History Channel, and Hallmark.

Brian co-founded WaxLab Music with fellow composer Erik Aho, creating original music campaigns for clients such as Honda, NatureMade, Adobe, and Activision. As a string arranger and keyboardist, he has contributed to albums by Colbie Caillat, Brian May, Camino, and more. Recent projects include additional music for Netflix’s Unknown: Killer Robots, A&E’s Kids In A Cage, and Superpower — a feature documentary directed by Sean Penn about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His music has also appeared in trailers for Boston Strangler (Hulu), Fantastic Beasts 3, and The Northman. He’s released multiple albums through Warner Chappell Production Music’s Scoremongers label. Since 2012, Brian has collaborated with filmmakers David Dodson and Marius Balchunas, a creative partnership that has resulted in ten feature films to date.

Charli Masson — Associate Producer
Charli Masson is of British nationality but grew up in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the owner of the female-led production company, 32/51 Productions, through which she has produced several films including For Lonely Nights (2022); which received many awards and a large reception on YouTube. She made her directorial debut with her film Paramour in 2023. Charli has worked on over 24 films in various capacities from Writer to Producer and everything in between. In 2024 Charli graduated with her Bachelors degree in Television writing and Production (minor in psychology) from Chapman University. During her time at Chapman she produced several projects including an undergraduate TV Pilot. Charli currently works as Talent Publicity Executive Assistant at PR firm Narrative. Charli brings passion and a wealth of experience to The Past is Patient.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.