New movie Outside In, starring Edie Falco and Jay Duplass, was shot over the course of 20 days in Snohomish County.
Seattle-based filmmaker Lynn Shelton wrote and directed the drama, which shares a common theme with the rest of her movies: it’s set in Western Washington.
“I feel like the Northwest is in my bones or something, it's just a part of me,” Shelton said. “When I start to write a story, I often will just place characters naturally in these different environments that I'm pretty familiar with.”
Her previous films featured Shoreline (in Laggies, 2014,) Anacortes and the San Juans (in Your Sister’s Sister, 2011) and Seattle (in Hump Day, 2009.)
Outside In was shot on location in Everett, and primarily in Granite Falls.
"We're so grateful to the city of Granite Falls, we seriously are, and to that whole county actually,” Shelton said. “You'd see us tromping along with our GORE-TEX and our little carts of equipment. We used every little nook and cranny. (And) lots of houses, people welcomed us into their homes."
The movie tells the story of Chris, a 38-year-old who spent the past 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't really commit. His former high school teacher, Carol, helped secure his release. Their relationship is a beautiful and complicated one.
"All of them are sort of imprisoned in their own way," Shelton said. "And (it’s) about two people who are inconveniently in love.”
Duplass and Falco deliver authentic and compelling performances as the main characters. They also join a long list of recognizable names Shelton has directed over the years, including recent Oscar-winners Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney.
"Somebody said, 'Oh you're the good luck charm for actors,’” Shelton said, laughing. “Sounds good to me! I'll take it."
Outside In is playing at SIFF Cinema Uptown twice a day through Thursday.
