Producer LaTaryion “LT” Perry talks with Chicago native, writer, and director George Ellzey Jr. about his film, Cottage Grove.
The film is a narrative that explores a broken relationship between father and son. A brief encounter between them begins the healing process and possibly opens the door to forgiveness and reconciliation. Set in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, where Ellzey Jr. also resides, the film captures the trauma and pain of time lost while showcasing the transformative power of vulnerability.
Ellzey Jr. was inspired to write this film after having a similar experience in his own life, reconnecting with his father in the car after picking him up from a hospital in Chicago. It was the first time he had such intimate proximity to his father since he was very young. For Ellzey Jr., the film is an exploration of his experience, stories that his friends have told about the relationships with their dads, as well as questions that he wanted to explore in this film. Cottage Grove is essentially a “jambalaya” of the filmmaker’s and other people’s stories. Previously, the film was screened at XL Film Festival (2024) and at The Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Currently, Cottage Grove is available to stream on AMC Plus among other short films from XL Film Festival last season.
Inside this conversation, Ellzey Jr. dives deep into reflections about how his life experiences shaped his journey to becoming a filmmaker, how Cottage Grove is connected to real experiences in his own life, and his process for making this film which he admits is largely in the pre-production phase — citing consistency in communication and hard work being the most important parts of his role of bringing this story to life. Further, Ellzey Jr. gives some advice to people interested in getting into filmmaking. In short, he says to live your life, be in touch with your emotions, and know your why. That is what makes art and especially film most interesting.
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