Festivals - FCAD 2024:  Color Book Captures Hearts at Deauville with a Moving Portrait of Fatherhood and Resilience

By Mulder, Deauville, Centre International de Deauville, 10 september 2024

Color Book, directed by David Fortune, has emerged as a festival favorite at the 50th Deauville American Film Festival, captivating audiences with its deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, and the journey of fatherhood. Presented as part of the official competition, Color Book tells the poignant story of Lucky, a single father, as he navigates the challenges of raising his 11-year-old son Mason, who has Down syndrome, following the death of his wife.

Set in Metro Atlanta, the film unfolds over the course of a day, during which Lucky and Mason set out on a seemingly simple mission: to attend their first baseball game together. This day-long road trip, however, becomes an emotional and metaphorical journey filled with moments of bonding, tension, and self-discovery. Through car troubles, missed trains, and other setbacks, the film emphasizes that their greatest triumphs are not in the destination, but in the small victories they achieve along the way.

One of the most striking aspects of  is its focus on the intimate relationship between father and son. Will Catlett, who portrays Lucky, delivers a masterful performance, full of raw emotion as a man grappling with his grief while trying to remain a stable and nurturing figure for his son. The chemistry between Catlett and young actor Jeremiah Daniels, who plays Mason, is palpable, giving the film a heartwarming and authentic feel. Mason’s joyful innocence, underscored by his love for drawing in his  and his fascination with baseball, offers a sharp contrast to his father’s quiet struggle to keep everything together.

At its core,  is about resilience—about how love, patience, and perseverance can overcome even the heaviest of burdens. Director David Fortune uses the road trip narrative as a metaphor for the emotional journey Lucky and Mason are on, navigating not just the physical world but their own feelings of loss and adaptation to a new normal. The film does not shy away from the challenges that come with raising a child with Down syndrome but presents them with sensitivity, honesty, and respect.

Visually,  is stunning. Cinematographer Nikolaus Summerer captures the vast beauty of the landscapes around Atlanta, creating a sense of space that contrasts with the deeply personal and often confined emotional world of the characters. The use of natural light gives the film a warm, almost nostalgic tone, highlighting both the beauty and the melancholy of the journey Lucky and Mason are on. The carefully framed shots of the duo driving through city streets and rural highways serve as poignant metaphors for the ups and downs of their relationship.

The soundtrack, composed by Dabney Morris, complements the film’s tone beautifully, with a score that mirrors the emotional highs and lows of Lucky and Mason’s trip. The music is subtle, never overpowering the delicate balance of the film’s emotional beats but enhancing the moments of tenderness and tension that define their relationship.

During its Deauville screenings, was met with widespread praise, particularly for its unflinching yet heartfelt portrayal of disability and single parenthood. Director David Fortune and actor Will Catlett were in attendance at the festival, participating in a post-screening discussion that further illuminated the personal nature of the story. Fortune explained that the film was born from a desire to tell an honest story about fatherhood and the challenges of raising a child with special needs. His dedication to authenticity shines through in every frame of the film, making it a standout in the competition lineup.

 is more than just a story about grief; it’s a celebration of life’s small moments, of the quiet strength found in familial love, and the resilience required to keep moving forward even when the road ahead seems uncertain. It’s a film that speaks to the heart and leaves a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it. As the Deauville festival draws to a close,  is sure to continue its journey, touching audiences far and wide with its universal themes of love, hope, and the power of family.

With its heartfelt performances, stunning visuals, and a story that resonates on a deeply emotional level,  has firmly established itself as one of the highlights of this year’s Deauville American Film Festival. As the film continues to make its way through the festival circuit, it’s poised to leave a lasting impact, not only for its storytelling but for its contribution to the representation of disability and family dynamics in cinema.

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Synopsis:
After the death of his wife, a devoted father learns to raise his Down's syndrome son alone. While adjusting to their new life, they embark on a journey through the city of Atlanta to attend their first baseball game.

Color Book
Directed by David Fortune
Produced by Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford & David Fortune
Written by David Fortune
Starring Will Catlett, Jeremiah Daniels, Brandee Evans, Terri J. Vaughn, Njema Williams, Kia Shine Coleman, Joseph Curtis Callender
Music: Dabney Morris
Director of photography: Nikolaus Summerer
Editing: Oriana Soddu
Production companies: Color Book LLC.
Distributed by: NC
Release date: NC
Running time : 98 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville