Cast
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Danny Glover
as William Ward
Graham Greene
as Mr. Mountain
Chelsea Ricketts
as Venus
Mike Wade
as Young William Ward
Ashley Bell
as Molly
Clayton Rohner
as Mr. Shelton
Brina Palencia
as Ashley Bell
Kate Corlis
as Nyc theater girl
David Midthunder
as Nezuni Redhawk
Stephanie Young
as Miss Rowley
Britanni Johnson
as Shakespeare Auditionee
Tantoo Cardinal
as Older Venus
Crew
Director
- Norry Niven
Writer
- James Bird
Reviews
norry@stonecore.com
Go to chasingshakespeare.com or facebook.com/ChasingShakespeare to see festival news and reviews - like this one from the film's appearance at the Dallas International Film Festival - "Danny Glover stars in Chasing Shakespeare, a story about an extraordinary love between a man and a woman. William Ward is enchanted by Venus Redhawk’ s audition for the role of Juliet in a local school production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Their love story begins with a spark and grows through a love of Shakespeare and the magic of Native American folklore.
What a magnificent film! It’s on a level with The Notebook for its love story and the fact that you’ll be in tears for most of the film. The magic of the lightning, the folklore, and Shakespeare himself are a compelling mix that is irresistible. Danny Glover is wonderful as the elder William, grieving the loss of his beloved wife and remembering the magic they shared. Chelsea Ricketts is enchanting as the young Venus, and audiences will fall under her spell as just as young William does in the film. Director Norry Niven makes his directorial debut with this film and does a fantastic job!"
Mar 31, 2013
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Chasing Shakespeare examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Norry Niven brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Chasing Shakespeare took approximately 35 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 112 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 141 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 62 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2014, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: February 3, 2014
- Runtime: 1h 52m