Reality

The social media profile of a young woman includes pictures of her pets, her friends, and her exercise routine. But on June 2, 2017, the posts come to an end. This film begins on the following day and contains verbatim dialogue from the unedited transcript of an FBI audio recording. The audience witnesses the protagonist – played by Sydney Sweeney – arriving at her home in Georgia, only to be met by two men outside who politely inform her that they have a search warrant. What follows is a chamber piece focusing on the interrogation of whistle-blower Reality Winner and the search of her home.
Director Tina Satter presents a snapshot of recent US history that derives all of its tension from the gravity of the situation. The strong imagery and subtle direction of the actors in this drama places it on the cusp of documentary. This enables an unobstructed view of the events of that day – before they became a case that was to polarise the press, the general public and politics.
by Tina Satter
with Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis
USA 2023 English 85’ Colour World premiere | Debut film

With

  • Sydney Sweeney (Reality Winner)
  • Josh Hamilton (Agent Garrick)
  • Marchánt Davis (Agent Taylor)

Crew

Director Tina Satter
Screenplay Tina Satter, James Paul Dallas
Cinematography Paul Yee
Editing Jennifer Vecchiarello, Ron Dulin
Music Nathan Micay
Sound Design Ryan Billia
Production Design Tommy Love
Costumes Enver Chakartash
Make-Up Sarah Graalman
Casting Douglas Aibel
Assistant Director Gerardo Coello Escalante
Producers Noah Stahl, Brad Becker-Parton, Riva Marker, Greg Nobile

Tina Satter

The writer and director for theatre and film is making her feature film debut with Reality, an adaption of her theatre play “Is This A Room” which premiered on Broadway in autumn 2021. Working with her theatre company Half Straddle, she has written and directed 11 full-length plays and a series of shorter performances and video works which have been presented across the USA and internationally. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020.

Filmography

2023 Reality

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023