The Seattle Film Society’s In Focus series returns this April with a screening of renowned Seattle filmmaker SJ Chiro’s coming of age drama LANE 1974. 

LANE 1974 (2017) is based on Clane Hayward's memoir about a 13-year-old girl living a nomadic life in 70’s Northern California communes alongside her rebellious mother and younger siblings. The film follows Lane (Sophia Mitri Schloss) as she yearns for stability and a "normal" life against the harsh realities of her mother’s off-the-grid existence. The film has been roundly praised for its authentic portrayal of childhood in a counter-culture setting, capturing the beauty and the danger of the era through a child's eye.

This film will be preceded by a screening of Chiro’s first short film LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD (2006).

A Q&A between Chiro and film journalist Chase Hutchinson will follow the film.

Thursday, April 16th at the Northwest Film Forum. Doors at 6:30, Film at 7. See you at the movies.

IN FOCUS is a quarterly showcase highlighting a filmmaker or filmmaking team local to the Greater Seattle Area.

Filmmaker Biography: 

SJ Chiro is a Seattle-based director, screenwriter, and DGA member. Chiro is best known for her award-winning feature films, LANE 1974 and EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS. LANE 1974 stars Sophia Mitri Schloss and Katherine Moennig, and premiered at SXSW in 2017 before going on to win awards throughout the Film Festival Circuit. EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS stars Tom Skerritt, Miro Sorvino, and Annie Gonzalez and maintains 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Along with her two features, she has written and directed seven short films including HOWARD FROM OHIO, which was awarded the SIFF Special Prize in 2012. Her work is frequently actor-centric, and often focuses on strong characters navigating familial dramas amidst the natural world. Chiro was previously named the 2017 City Arts Film Artist of the Year.