There's something unique and eclectic about Chicago's indie music scene. That's what Ramsey Atassi set out to capture in his award-winning debut, Bad Animal.
The film — now available to stream on Prime Video, Tubi, Mometu, Hoopla and www.emulsionlab.com — is a love letter to the city's music scene.
"Chicago is almost like a character in a movie," says Atassi, founder of Chicago-based film company Emulsion Lab. "All these great DIY places are part of Chicago's music history and heritage. The DIY scene is a really big thing here. It's a wonderful, diverse world where all these types of artists come together. ... I feel like there a big thing. history."
The film tells the fictional story of Cember and Marlene, who fall in love while trying to advance their music careers. Simmer - played by Chicago poet, artist and actress Michelle DeVille - is a hip-hop star on the rise, riding the success of her debut album. (She was also a former employee of the Devil Hideout, whose complaints led to the club's temporary closure.) Marilyn - played by Rivkah Reyes, a native of Chicago's School of Rock, who plays the musician, manager and co-owner of the company.
When a producer makes a big deal with Semre, they have to face their past and who they were when they visit this new character.
Atassi is the screenwriter of Bad Animal, which explores "the ways we relate to each other and change over time, the ways that sometimes hurt us and the ways that change us."
This film is a warning about the price of success.
"You put yourself under a microscope in your decisions, you make it hard for people around you to believe these things or relate to them, and you get a voice in your head." "We should always listen to that voice and try to be true to who we are. But mistakes are also a part of life... and there is always room to grow, change and learn.
Filmed in 2019, Bad Animal builds on director and cinematographer Sean Robert Kelly's work at Emulsion Lab since its inception in 2017. They have produced recordings, videos and short films focusing on local musicians. The film's Kickstarter campaign raised more than $15,000.
"The script is a perfect blend of the content we're making and the artists we've worked with," said Atassi. "When you have good people around you to support you, you know you won't give up."
The film features a locally sourced soundtrack featuring original songs from bands such as The Palmer Squares, Chris Crack, Pixel Grip, Malcy and Pet Symmetry. DeVille and Reyes covered several songs in the film.
The film's score was composed by the brother of Chicago music director Rami Atassi, and recently won Best Original Song at the Venice Film Festival, California.
Music has been important to Atassi since growing up in northwest Ohio. He lived in Chicago for 15 years. He enjoys the town's sense of community.
"There's a lot of real art out there thanks to the people here because they really love their craft," he said. "Making art for its own sake, connecting with people and creating a community can be a goal."
Reyes and DeVille helped continue their chemistry as they have been best friends since attending the University of Illinois at Chicago. Reyes has had the opportunity to act with his friends and participate in other films based on music.
“It was great to be able to share some of my real-life experiences being a musician in Chicago, being in a relationship with musicians or meeting a lot of musicians in Chicago,” he said. "It's easy to imagine yourself in Marilyn's situation, because I lived in that situation."
He no longer lives in Chicago, but the city will always feel like home. He enjoyed recording at famous venues, including the Beat Kitchen, where his high school band played in Battle of the Bands.
"To be able to spend one of my last months in Chicago, filming in these places is difficult," he said. "I really felt like my time in Chicago was the perfect ending, kind of bittersweet."
