Cast
View All
Tony Todd
as Caddy
Danny Huston
as Harry
Stephen Dorff
as Todd
Olivia d'Abo
as
Matthew Jacobs
as Arthur
Duke Nicholson
as Sydney
Lena Góra
as Clara
Rosie Fellner
as Blue
Jen Kuhn
as Anne
Jeff Hilliard
as Blaster
Vanessa Yuille
as Gretchen
Annicka Ekvall
as Emily
Damon T. Davis
as
Nikki Bohm
as
Fatima Cortez-Todd
as
Crew
Director
- Bernard Rose
Writer
- Bernard Rose
Producer
- Bernard Rose
- Jeremy Thomas
Reviews
Zeen_Atoms
TRAVELING LIGHT
Genre: Drama
Director: Bernard Rose (Candyman, Frankenstein, Immortal Beloved, Anna Karenina)
Cast: Tony Todd (Candyman), Danny Huston (The Constant Gardener), Stephen Dorff (Blade), Olivia d'Abo (Bandit).
"Synopsis: Traveling Light tells the story of Caddy (Tony Todd) over a twenty-four-hour period on May 30th, 2020, as he searches for his missing son, who has been living on the streets while working as an Uber/Delivery driver during the early days of the Pandemic in Los Angeles. His path crosses Harry (Danny Huston), a cult leader who is holding a bizarre happening/ceremony up on Mulholland Drive, where Todd (Stephen Dorff) and Mary (Olivia d’Abo) are attending as acolytes. All the while, news of the horrific murder of George Floyd reverberates around the city as the social fabric collapses, and we realize we are witnessing the end of an era…
Funny and frightening in equal measure, Traveling Light is a Bunuelian satire of bourgeoise life in Los Angeles at a moment of extreme crisis."
What can I say about Traveling Light, a film that feels too soon to be viewed as enjoyable entertainment? Well, it's art that paints a voyeuristic view of a time of societal turmoil that 20 years from now, if advertising, screenings, & publicity is done right, will become a cult classic. It truly does feel like it was made for a future audience curious about what we are living through now, which is fascinating. "I guess you guys aren't ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it."
We travel with Tony Todd's character Caddy who feels like a very real person who is simultaneously searching for his son, whilst processing the gravity of police brutality amidst the murders of George Floyd & Elijah McClain. Caddy is constantly drawing hard boundaries around people who simply couldn't be bothered to wear a mask nor respect social distancing. People who symbolize those in our real world who went out of their way to ensure this plague would still be here taking our loved ones from us in 2023.
The film has relative aspects to the feeling of Love in the Time of Cholera & Living in Oblivion. The combined flavor is just right.
Stephen Dorff plays Todd, a recovering addict who is one of the fortunate few who entered lock down with someone special, his beautiful partner Mary (Olivia d'Abo) who works tirelessly to provide a healing environment for him. Mary follows a wellness guru named Harry (Danny Huston) & introduces Todd to Harry's program but in doing so it is revealed that Harry is an exploitative cult leader.
Many of us in real life saw people fall prey to these types of people during lock down, becoming a cult leader has never been easier.
Overall this film was brilliant. I was immersed right to the end credits, and I'll definitely be showing it to others in 20 years.
Jun 20, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Traveling Light 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 Bernard Rose 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 2021, 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 Traveling Light took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 137 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 54 unique compositions.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 2021, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: October 10, 2021
- Runtime: 1h 30m
Where to Watch
