Carhopping

Exploring the power of storytelling THE HITCHHIKER lives almost entirely in his mind--collecting the stories of strangers while inventing the stories of others. Through narrative sprinkled throughout the film he reveals a belief that the stories we tell are all true, and we have the power to choose how we tell them. He imagines DEREK: A recent lottery winner headed for a different future, away from the hectic life of a lawyer to the quiet life of small town living. But first he must pick up his autistic brother and break up with a girl. He imagines CARRIE: A young single mom running away from child protective services with her sons and a passion to find her best parenting self. But first she must remember and admit that she had made mistakes. He imagines AMBER: A twelve-year-old gymnast with innate skills and a bright future. But first she must stop her father from touching her and find someone who will care when she confides in them. He imagines JADE: An older-than-her-years eighteen-year-old adopted daughter in a delightful and kind religious family of four, on their way to an annual family vacation. But first she must find a way to tell them she's in love, and that she's a lesbian. Throughout the stories (this is a character-driven ensemble film that will likely entice actors with delicious roles and a short filming schedule) THE HITCHHIKER remembers his own story, one that includes love and murder, and by the end it's clear that all of our lives are filled with feelings and challenges, and that we can always tell the story of who we are our own way. That we can always discover answers in narrative and forward motion.