UNFINISHED BUSINESS
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY GASTON D’AGRIVIERI
In Production
LOGLINE
On the brink of ending it once and for all, an octogenarian filmmaker is unexpectedly invited to revisit and speak on the fiftieth anniversary of one of his earliest films, igniting a final creative spark to make his long-awaited masterpiece that could either redeem his legacy or become his last latest hoorah.
SHORT FICTION • DRAMA / DARK COMEDY • 12 MIN
THE WORLD
SYNOPSIS
Aging, bitter, and largely forgotten, STANLEY HOUSTON, an octogenarian former film director, spends his days alone in a cluttered apartment. Haunted by the past and numbed by right-wing news and whiskey, his legacy is fading as the film reels he once cherished. When news of the budget cuts affecting Medicare breaks, Stanley’s frustration is triggered by a broken TV remote. He throws the remote, accidentally smashing a photo frame that pulls Stanley reluctantly into a memory-laced journey. Flashbacks through old 8MM footage–both real and imagined–interweave his rise and fall in Hollywood, his struggles, and the past love of his life.
Enter PETER MINELLI, a well-meaning but frustrated filmmaker / gig-worker / former protégé who finds Stanley on the verge of what looks like a suicide attempt. Their clash of generations–Peter’s hope against Stanley’s cynicism–reignites questions about purpose, recognition, and the cost of artistic integrity. When an unexpected invitation arrives for a 50th anniversary screening of Stanley’s long-forgotten film, Stanley at first rejects it. But haunted by memories and driven by something deeper–love, pride, maybe even regret–he decides to attend.
What follows is a surprisingly emotional night. In a packed cinema, Stanley watches his younger self onscreen and feels the warmth of a younger audience connecting to his work. The Q&A that follows offers a raw but heartfelt reflection on art, aging, and legacy. In a poetic ending, Stanley gasps before the audience, and everything fades to black. We see Peter scattering ashes from an urn… just like in a dreamlike final scene. But as the camera pulls back, it reveals Stanley alive, directing a scene on a film set, blurring the lines between death, memory, and moviemaking.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
In a world obsessed with fame, success, and instant gratification, UNFINISHED BUSINESS speaks to the quiet despair of aging, the toll creative work takes on an artist, and the longing for recognition that may never come. It’s a film that taps into universal themes, but most importantly, it’s a film about hope! It’s a metaphor for anyone who is 80 years old or younger, to never give up and fight to turn their dreams into reality.
DONATE & SUPPORT
Help bring UNFINISHED BUSINESS to life… a heartfelt 16mm short film about Stanley Houston, an aging and forgotten filmmaker who is given one final opportunity to reconnect with his work, his legacy, and his passion for cinema. Through themes of aging, artistic integrity, regret, and hope, the film reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue an unfinished dream. Your contribution will help support the production, including equipment, locations, crew, film stock, and post-production. Every donation, large or small, brings us one step closer to sharing Stanley’s story with audiences. Thank you for your time, your effort helps us preserve the power of independent filmmaking and bring this story to the screen.
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COMING SOON
CREDITS
Starring
Sidney Lam
As… Stanley Houston
Written & Directed by
Gaston D’Agrivieri
Produced by
Brittany Ann Cormack
Cinematography by
Marco Brochier
Production Design by
Xylon Jones
Still PHOTOGRAPHY by
Federico Imperiale
Edited by
Gaston D’Agrivieri
© MMXXVI The Cinema Foundry
All Rights Reserved
The story, all names, characters and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons, places, buildings and products is intended or should be inferred.