After a devastating divorce, Travis (Chase Joliet) is forced to move into his childhood home with his eccentric, newly sober mother (Rosanna Arquette). While attending an AA meeting with Evelyn, Travis meets the wildly alive Billie (Stephanie Barkley). Against his mother’s wishes, he develops a friendship with her, pushing everyone to look beyond their shortcomings and accept each other for who they are and where they’ve been.

Filmed by a 14-member crew in Tracy, Calif., over 14 days, Grapefruit explores addiction, new beginnings, and the importance of community.

But according to the film’s director and lead actor Chase Joliet: “At its core, Grapefruit is about acceptance. Accepting our flaws and imperfections, our past and present, and most importantly, each other. I aimed to take the romantic comedy formula we know so well and insert three flawed human beings desperately trying to let go and move on.”

About the Director: Chase Joliet is an actor and filmmaker from Dallas, Texas. He worked with legendary director Terrence Malick for several years on To the Wonder, Voyage of Time, and Song to Song after which he produced his first independent feature film KRISHA (A24) which won SXSW Grand Jury award and audience award, premiering at the CANNES Film Festival in 2016.

Chase won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2016 Indie Spirit awards and went on to help develop Trey Edward Shults’ second feature, It Comes At Night (A24). Chase’s short film directorial debut is the comedic short Everything Mattress, which won multiple audience awards and is currently being sold in European Territories.

“Grapefruit is my [feature-length] directorial debut, opposite my wildly talented wife, Stephanie Barkley. We made the movie over fourteen days with the help of friends and family and a little-known actress, Rosanna Arquette. I’m forever grateful for this experience and everyone who joined me along the way.”