When a Film Nearly Falls Apart, Then Wins Sundance: Alessandra Lacorazza on 'In the Summers'

In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with writer-director Alessandra Lacorazza about her award-winning film In the Summers, which took home both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and Best Director at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Lacorazza shares the deeply personal roots of the film, the tumultuous road to production, and the pressures of staying true to a creative vision in the face of industry challenges. The conversation dives into casting across timelines, editorial discovery, and the intense final days before Sundance. It's an intimate and inspiring look at how a deeply personal, quietly powerful film almost didn't get made—and why it ultimately resonated so profoundly.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Alessandra Lacorazza discuss...

• The semi-autobiographical inspiration behind In the Summers
• Creating emotionally complex characters and tender portrayals of masculinity
• Casting multiple actors for the same role across time
• The chaotic production process and financial uncertainty before filming
• How Alessandra balanced creative integrity with commercial pressures
• Editing discoveries, including changing the film’s ending after test screenings
• What it was like to win at Sundance—while sick and alone
• The unexpected emotional reach of the film across different demographics
• Advice for emerging filmmakers on trusting collaborators and staying clear on your vision

Memorable Quotes:

• “I just knew I couldn’t make this film with that suggestion... I’d rather not make it because it won’t be good.”

• “Making the film was harder than having a baby.”

• “There’s no real villain, and you just leave the audience to make up their own mind.”

• “If you don’t [know your story], you’re going to get lost in the maze, and then your editing process is going to be a lot more complicated.”

Guest:

• Alessandra Lacorazza

Resources:

• In the Summers is now available to stream on Hulu.

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