Nora (Anna Campbell) is a singer/songwriter who left her suburban home and, after nine years, finally saw her career surge. Now, some years later she has made the difficult decision to turn her back on her career, return home and become a full-time mom to her precocious 6-year-old daughter. She’s married but her husband is on tour, leaving her to play mom in the place she once escaped.
We learn about Nora through her interactions with her husband, daughter, best friends, past friends as well as her own wishes, regrets and wandering wonderings via fantasy music video sequences that are ingeniously peppered throughout the film in key places.
The film deftly delves into Nora’s journey of self-discovery, the road that led her away and the one that brings her back.
Can a person have it all? That is the loud never-ending question. Nora, the film and character, both challenge that question and, in many ways, smashes the necessity for it to be ever be asked again.
Campbell wears many hats as co-producer, co-songwriter, writer, director and lead, and they all fit remarkably well. Her performance radiates with warmth and desire.
She’s cast her film with terrific actors including Oscar-nominee Lesley Ann Warren, Kate Miner, Jay Walker, and, especially, Nick Fink, who is quite a find.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Campbell graduated with Honors from Vassar College and moved back to L.A. to pursue acting. She landed roles on Veronica Mars, Mad Men, NCIS LA, Leverage, Grimm and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, among many others.
With Nora, she takes the significant step towards creating her own cinematic work and having her voice heard. This is her first feature film.
Nora is having its World Premiere at Cinequest this Saturday, March 15 and next Tuesday, March 18.
The Contending had the pleasure of a Zoom chat.