Beside Still Waters: No Rock 'n Roll, But Plenty Of Sex And Drugs

DETROIT (WWJ) – Sex, drugs and – no rock 'n roll – but there is plenty of the other stuff, combined with a healthy (or should that be an unhealthy) dose of alcohol to go around in this first directorial debut from actor Chris Lowell ("Private Practice," "Veronica Mars").

"Beside Still Waters" was also written by Lowell, along with Mohit Narang who (based on what I could find on IMDb) earned his first screenwriting and producing credits with this film. So, with "Beside Still Waters," these two first-timers have gotten off to a mighty strong start. After completing the film and submitting it to film festivals, Lowell turned to Kickstarter to raise the funds needed to pay for the finishing costs. His goal was just over $63,000; he raised over $200,000! And, as of today, with the help of Tribeca Film, this dream project of his is being shown in select theaters. And on November 18, 2014, it'll also be available for download on iTunes and VOD.

In "Beside Still Waters," Daniel invites his childhood friends to his parents' lake house for a farewell party; a party to bid so long to the house while Daniel is still in mourning over the sudden death of his parents. As the longtime friends file into the home, everyone is surprised when Daniel's former girlfriend brings her fiancé along. As the good times roll and the whiskey starts flowing, one thing leads to another until things eventually get out of hand.

Lowell describes "Beside Still Waters" as "a love letter" to the place where he grew up and to the people he grew up with, and the movie does have a nostalgic feel to it. It's also very well written. And, I might add, creative. It does, after all, introduce audiences to the "whiskey slap." If you're wondering just what a whiskey slap is, "Beside Still Waters" gives you a chance to find out.

"Beside Still Waters" won both the Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2013 Austin Film Festival.

The cast includes Ryan Eggold ("The Blacklist"), Reid Scott ("Veep"), Beck Bennett ("Saturday Night Live"), Brett Dalton ("Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."), Will Brill (Not Fade Away), Erin Darke (Kill Your Darlings), Jessy Hodges ("Hindsight") and Britt Lower ("Unforgettable").

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