Marina Rice Bader Premieres New Film 'Raven's Touch'

Select West Coast theaters will debut Marina Rice Bader's new film "Raven's Touch" in August, with exclusive premieres in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The project, which was written by Dreya Weber, produced by Bader, and co-directed by both, was a completely donation based project.

"As far as actual creation, this is the only film I've done that was funded 100 percent by donations and contributions, which was a miracle! But it doesn't change production much, other than there has to be a full commitment to keep everyone who supported the film involved," said Bader, who was executive producer of films like "Elena Undone," "A Perfect Ending" and writer/director of "Anatomy of a Love Seen." "This adds an additional layer you don't have to worry about if you have traditional investors. When you crowdsource with people in Iowa donating who may have no involvement in the movie world, it becomes a really important responsibility to keep them involved."

Weber is best known for her work acting in films like "The Gymnast" and "A Marine Story." But in addition to acting in "Raven's Touch," she wrote it. This was a great departure, said Weber, because the usual focus for an actor is to immerse yourself in the story, to give in to the character's circumstances and live in that reality.

"That's a fun thing to do, but with this, there are also technical issues over how to construct the introduction, what will be the overarching umbrella that holds together the story, and I couldn't have my brand on both," Weber told EDGE.

"Even with 'The Gymnast,' I had my mind on technical things like production, but when you write it, it's a different thing because I really believe that an actor can give you more information about a character you conceived than you ever imagined possible. They completely dive in, and can tell you as the writer where something is off. No one else can commit to that level; it's the best part of collaborating, when they bring that level of minutiae and detail to the table."

Her costar Traci Dinwiddie brought these details to the table in the role of a single mother with two teenage kids. Weber said it never ceased to humble her watching actors dig into roles, saying, "We have the human capacity to imagine universes around these characters. People who become actors care a lot about that. I really consider it on the level of other sciences, like an investigative art."

"Raven's Touch" follows the union of two damaged women in nature. Blaming herself for a tragic accident, Raven Michaels (Dreya Weber) secludes herself at a remote family cabin. She wanders the woods on the verge of a breakdown, seeking peace in isolation.�In a last ditch attempt to save her family, Kate Royce (Traci Dinwiddie) takes her two teenagers camping far from the distractions of technology and young romance. When Raven and Kate's worlds collide they offer each other unexpected opportunities for intimacy and healing.

When Bader first approached Weber, she had only a three-page synopsis of the film. Together, they developed the idea of a single mother who was losing her shit, and another woman who was suffering the loss of a family member for whom she was personally responsible, and grappling with that guilt.

"The two women have same foundational impulse: to go to nature," said Weber. "It's a really cool place to intersect because who we are in nature is almost nonverbal. Something taps into our basic selves when we walk through the woods and hear the trees. It takes away the distractions we have around us all the time. And in this moment in their story, these two women both want a connection, are desperate for a connection, but can't figure out how to do it."

Bader, who first saw Weber perform in "The Gymnast" before connecting with her at Outfest, said she loved working with her, exclaiming, "I have such a good friend for life! She is amazing, a real pro, and wonderful to work with. At the end of a 16-hour day, she had me laughing hysterically about the silliest thing."

Weber echoed this, saying, "Marina is amazing! She's a force. I've never seen how anyone can galvanize resources in such an inspiring way."

"Raven's Touch" will get its West Coast debut in August, with an August 1 'true premiere' in Los Angeles at Music Hall 3 Theater in Beverly Hills, where the cast, crew, friends and community will get to see it first.

"No one's actually seen it with the beautiful score, and it will be spectacular and super fun for the two actresses to see it on the big screen," said Bader. "It's a great venue, with a red carpet and a party after" at Chakra Cuisine.

Then, it will move on to San Francisco for an August 6 screening at the Victoria Theater, where the public can buy a ticket and enjoy the food, beverages, DJ and dance party after the screening.

"I'm so excited to see it with an audience!" said Weber. "One thing about low-budget filming is you don't have the luxury of test screening and going back into the editing room. We have to use our resources carefully, so we are going on our gut, working to deliver a story that people are interested in seeing, and honoring those who supported us in making this movie."

Following this, Bader will try and get an East Coast screening set up, and find a reliable distributor. She hopes to get video on demand distribution worldwide by November, saying that this cuts down on piracy.

"There is rampant piracy; there's no way to get around it," said Bader. "One of the only things we as filmmakers can do is create access for everyone. If someone in Europe can't get the film for three months, they might look for an illegal download. But it we make it available for everyone immediately, people will pay the $5 download. We just have to help them make the right choices."

Bader said that in this day and age, the younger generation wants to get everything available at the moment they want it, for free. They don't understand that indie filmmakers need to make money while dedicating a year or two to a project, saying that there should be some major filmmaker movement in educating audiences.

But no matter; although "Raven's Touch" features teenagers, Bader is happy to report that her fans are grown women, and these women will continue to support her work.

Bader is now in pre-production on her next film, "Ava's Impossible Things," which she will begin to shoot in October with a summer 2016 release date. "Let's just say everyone on the planet will be able to relate to Ava's struggle; it's a universal story in a spectacular package, with a huge cast, beautiful performers, fire dancers, stilt walkers, burlesque players; it's a whole new universe for me."

Weber will continue her hand at writing live stage shows, including an original musical she is working on with her sister, that is set during Prohibition.

Until then, take flight with "Raven's Touch," and rest assured that you are helping fulfill the mission of Bader's independent film company, Soul Kiss Films: to create evocative, entertaining, and compelling movies by women, for women and about women.�

See "Raven's Touch" by invitation only at 7:30 p.m. on August 1 at Music Hall 3 Theater in Beverly Hills. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the film, meet the stars, and attend the after-party�at Chakra Cuisine located at 151 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211. For information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ravens-touch-world-premiere-tickets-17466003286

See the film on at 7 p.m. on August 6 at San Francisco's Victoria Theater, with an After Party with foods from Frannie's Kitchen in San Francisco, libations and the fabulous DJ Page Hodel. They will be drawing two lucky names to win a limited edition 12"x18" nude of Dreya Weber, signed and personalized by the lovely lady herself. For tickets, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1668651