​​​​​R E E L I N G After a life altering accident, Ryan struggles to fit in with old friends and family at a birthday luau on his family’s homestead. As the pig slowly roasts in an imu pit and the partygoers cut loose, the celebration boils over when Ryan uncovers the missing memory of when his life took a tragic turn.

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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT Our memories make us who we are. In Reeling, I explore the theme of memory through Ryan, a young man desperately seeking to recall the moment his life changed forever. As he returns to his family home for the first time since the accident, he moves through this familiar place and faces as though he is a ghost; A shadow of the man he used to be. The camera is a reflection of this, moving through scenes in choreographed long takes and lingering on improvised moments. The score is a reflection of Ryan's mindset, a chaotic percussion that feels out of step with the reality around him. Against the backdrop of celebration and fun, we watch Ryan in this moment to moment character study (over the course of 24 hours) as he finally remembers the accident that caused his TBI. However, the question remains: Can he trust his own memory? Can we? 

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What is unique about this film is that the cast is a mix of actors and non-professional actors; I cast friends and family who were at the real birthday Lu'au (two years ago) that inspired this film. I set out to capture this unique moment in time and the essence of this historical Hawaiian estate, with people I grew up with. I mixed improvisation with scripted scenes in order to feel like we are truly in this moment with Ryan. Executive Producer Werner Herzog’s motto is “filmmaking is athletics, not aesthetics”. His encouragement from script to screen has been invaluable. Oahu is home to me and Kikila (the shooting location) is a place where I've experienced thrilling and deeply moving memories that led to the inception of REELING.​

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PRESS

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INDIEWIRE, Wilson Chapman (LINK)

““Reeling” and its stomach-churning birthday from hell make for an effective watch, and an experience that’s hard to forget.”

“Yana Alliata’s sharp feature finds a balance between both serenity and stress, effectively placing the audience in the mind of its confused audience surrogate.”

“The screenplay, from Alliata and Amy Miner, deftly conveys Ryan’s status as an outsider to this once-familiar world.”

“All three actors are strong and believable as siblings with a charred and difficult family past, finding natural notes of grace even when their actions verge on the loathsome. Wuestewald is particularly affecting as Ryan, ably portraying his confusion and almost foggy-brained viewpoint of the world.”

“Alliata is skilled at using her filmmaking to situate the audience within Ryan’s head, often using long tracking shots to build up stress while making heavy use of Michael MacAllister’s plodding, percussive score.”

““Reeling” succeeds in its goal of immersing the audience in Ryan’s viewpoint at all times.”

““Reeling” and its stomach-churning birthday from hell make for an effective watch, and an experience that’s hard to forget.”

 

THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE, Rod Machen (LINK)

“Reeling will make audiences feel the good vibes of a proper O‘ahu luau while also delivering the weight of life-changing actions that can’t be undone. Alliata conveys the almost bottomless pit of regret but also lots and lots of love. Sometimes, that’s family.”

“Alliata seamlessly blends her friends and her crew to make for one big celebration.”

“Viewers will be squirming in their seats.”

“..wonderfully constructed”

 

SUNSHINE STATE CINEPLEX, Josh Walbert (LINK)

“An Intense Emotional Portrayal of Grief and Memory Loss”

“The emotional weight of Reeling stems from the relatability of the film’s characters. Whether caring for a loved one or recognizing the hopelessness of the loss of one’s memory loss, the movie will likely strike a chord.”

“Beautifully shot and intimately told, the emotional Reeling brings forth the destructive hold mental illness has on familial relations.”

“Wuestewald does a fine job of portraying Ryan. Quiet and apologetic, Wuestewald conveys the effort it takes for Ryan to do even simple tasks. It’s an impressive performance from the newcomer. “

“the filmmakers’ background in narrative shorts shines through. Utilizing every bit of screen time to convey the story but allow audiences to connect takes a certain skill, and Alliata achieves this here.”

“It’s a poignant reminder about the necessity of community and the importance of acceptance.”

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SCREEN RANT, Graeme Guttmann (LINK)

“I enjoyed the film - Alliata is a great director, somehow making the homestead both beautiful and menacing. All the performances were so good, too. I did find myself wanting a little more - I became so invested in the main trio of Ryan, Meg, and John that I wanted to keep watching after the film ended. Really excited to see what Alliata does next!”

“the people both in front of and behind Reeling's camera are very talented. This is Alliata's first feature-length film, and it's an assured debut, using the stunning location to create a mood of anxiety even amid the beauty.”

“Wuestewald is wonderful in the role, his hesitancy to reach out apparent, his longing for connection crystal clear.”

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HYPER REAL FILM, Justin Harrison [LINK]

“Everyone in Reeling rings true, thanks to fine performances and Alliata’s careful control of tone.”

“Reeling is a well-made, well-performed film. It was one of the movies I was most curious about seeing at SXSW and it was a rewarding, thought-provoking watch.”

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MOVIE BEARS PODCAST, Jim Puliafico 

“A smolderingly insightful character study of Ryan, struggling with his memory and cognitive loss from an almost forgotten trauma. Using mostly verite-style cinematography, the movie steadily builds tension between Ryan and his family during the course of a traditional celebratory gathering. Gripping performance by Ryan Wuesterweld.” [LETTERBOXD]

 

MOVIE BEARS PODCAST, William Lindus 

“After a brutal accident leaves Ryan with memory loss and diminished motor functions, he tried to reacclimatize with his family in Hawaii during a birthday celebration. There’s an uncomfortable tension that is beautifully gripped by the score and by the unwavering long takes. I was moved, I was frustrated (in a good way), and I was left (wait for it) reeling.”

[LETTERBOXD]

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SOUNDS OF FILM, Tom Needham 

“Loved Reeling! One of my favorites of the year!”

Sounds of Film, Tom Needham; interview [LINK] [LINK]

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POPMATTERS, Paul Risker 

“Thoroughly enjoyed REELING. In particular, the approach to the cinematography stood out — using as few edits as possible. From start to finish a well told story that brought you inside the world of its characters, and took a mature and sensitive approach to its themes.”

 

SUBSTREAM MAGAZINE, Murjani Rawls (LINK)

“The film is an effective, albeit scary, exercise in which those who love you the most treat you like an alien due to a situation beyond your control.”

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ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS, Valerie Kafrin [LINK]

“Reeling is at times painful to watch, thanks to Wuestewald’s poignant performance.”

“Cinematographer Rafael Leyva and Alliata stage the actors in such a way that heightens his isolation, whether he’s wading into the ocean or serving himself from the dinner table while the others talk around him.”​

 

FILMMAKER MAGAZINE, Scott Macauley interview with Yana Alliata [LINK]

“I Aimed to Capture the Subtle Cruelties of Social Isolation”: Yana Alliata On Her Herzog-EP’d SXSW Drama, Reeling

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CBR, Grae Drake; Interview [LINK]

Reeling: Yana Alliata, Ryan Wuestewald, Hans Christopher, & Nikki DeParis Shared the Stage With a Superstar Gecko | SXSW

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THE JAYDAYS, Jaylan Salah (Geek Vibes Nation); Interview [LiNK]

 

CINEUROPA, Olivia Popp 
“Really enjoyed the film's visual style”

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MOVIEWEB, Matt Mahler (LINK)

“The new film Reeling intimately explores this tendency, evoking pain-responsive apathy in a way that makes the audience feel the same as the uncomfortable characters on screen.”

“The climax does a good job of displaying the resentment, pettiness, and selfishness of people in general, especially when they have no choice but to confront the person or issue they've been avoiding.”