Coward

About the Filmmaker

First time Director Katie Frances Orr is native to Los Angeles, California, who started their career as a Dancer/Choreographer for people including Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga, and MC Hammer. Now Katie is a comedian. Comedic training came from Upright Citizens Brigade and The Idiot Workshop (a type of modern/tragic clowning) and is a sketch performer/writer at iO West. This is their debut writing/directing of a film. This is not a comedic film, but it is a true film about their daily fight to live. The main hope for Katie becoming a comedian and director is to someday have the skill to show the tragic absurdity of life and people’s stories; often while making people laugh about it, and always with beauty.

More from the Filmmaker

This film was made after several years of some of my darkest moments. My aunt, who was property master for “Coward,” and lived with the same brain-struggles as I, was my biggest personal support when I wasn’t sure I could make art of any consequence. She was killed before I could show this to her. The strength of her belief in me forces me to decide I certainly am capable. It also reminds me that life can be comprised of mostly difficult situations. I may only ever be able to find small kindnesses and joys. She was exceptionally good at making those good moments. And they do make quite a difference.

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