Driving Not Knowing is a 2015 American semi-autobiographical musical drama film directed by Benjamin R. Davis, Dylan Hansen-Fliedner, Dane Mainella and Jay Jadick. The film received the Alternative Spirit Award, First Prize from the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Driving Not Knowing
Directed byBenjamin R. Davis
Dylan Hansen-Fliedner
Dane Mainella
Jay Jadick
Written by
  • Benjamin R. Davis
  • Dylan Hansen-Fliedner
  • Dane Mainella
  • Jay Jadick
Produced byBenjamin R. Davis
Dylan Hansen-Fliedner
Starring
  • Dane Mainella
  • Jay Jadick
  • Emily Rea
  • Bruce Spears
  • Alex Temme
  • Michael Wintermute
CinematographyBenjamin R. Davis
Dylan Hansen-Fliedner
Edited by
  • Benjamin R. Davis
  • Dylan Hansen-Fliedner
  • Dane Mainella
  • Jay Jadick
Music byCharley Ruddell
Release date
  • July 11, 2015 (2015-07-11) (Outfest)
Running time
86 minutes
LanguageEnglish

Cast

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  • Dane Mainella as Will, a poet
  • Jay Jadick as Lee, a musician
  • Emily Rea as Jo, Will's friend
  • Kenneth Goldsmith as Lenny
  • Seth Schimmel as Noah
  • Michael Wintermute as Paul
  • Charley Ruddell as Chaz
  • Bruce Spears as Corn, a drug dealer
  • Jessup Lepkowski as Allen
  • Liz Barr as Abby
  • Theodore Jadick as Ted
  • Debra Jadick as Debbie
  • Alexa Nicolas as Mae
  • Caroline Kee as Cybil
  • Joe Tirella as Bouncer
  • Janie Ruddell as Minor

Production

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"Since we filmed the movie during the summer before our final year of college, the weight of this transitional period strongly influenced the story itself. We found ourselves approaching the 'real world', not knowing exactly how to negotiate this inevitable change in our lives. What would we be doing in a year? Who would still be a part of our lives? Would everything be okay? In a way, this film is our response to these questions."

—Mainella and Jadick behind the film's meaning and inspirations.[1]

The film was produced on a low budget with filming locations around rural Pennsylvania.[2] The film has been described as "semi-autobiographical" by Mainella and Jadick because it incorporates some of their own personal storylines within fictional scenarios.[1]

Reception

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Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film for its cinematography saying that it makes "this rural gateway enticing" and the music for being "intermiittently engaging". However, he criticized the characters for being thinly drawn and the actors' lack of charisma. He pointed out to Brokeback Mountain, another gay film, for how it should be done.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Indiewire (July 2, 2015). "Project of the Day: 'Driving Not Knowing'". Indiewire. (Snagfilms). Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Stephen Farber (July 12, 2015). "'Driving Not Knowing': Outfest Review". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved July 12, 2015.[permanent dead link]