Welcome to Filmmaker Fridays, where every week we highlight our Coffeehouse Cinema filmmakers and their amazing projects.

Today, we are featuring Chloé Aktaş, director of the short film Lance (in a Neck Brace), and Lance Jeffries, actor of Lance. Since screening at Coffeehouse Cinema Vol. 2, Lance (in a Neck Brace) has intrigued audiences for its use of visuals and absence of dialogue from the main protagonist.

In the feature below, Chloé goes into how the film’s themes of healing and uncertainty shape the ambiguity and connection audience’s feel with Lance’s character. Then, Lance discusses bringing the character to life through silence and physicality.

Support Chloe’s Next Project

Chloe is also currently raising finishing funds for her short film, The Chair.

Set in Istanbul and based on true events, The Chair follows a family debating whether to replace a grandmother’s beloved armchair. What begins as a simple household disagreement evolves into a moving exploration of family, identity, aging, and the tension between tradition and change.

The film has already completed principal photography and most of post-production. Additional funding will help support final sound design and color work, festival submission fees, and poster design as the team prepares to bring the film to audiences around the world.

If you’d like to support independent filmmaking and help Chloe bring this project across the finish line, you can make a tax-deductible donation through Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program here:

https://www.filmindependent.org/sponsored-projects/the-chair/

As always, please consult your accountant regarding any potential tax deductions.

We’re excited to see where this project goes next and hope you’ll consider supporting it.

Thank you Chloé and Lance for sharing your time. More about Chloé below before getting into our conversation!

Chloe:

What interested you about using a system or framework to explore something as personal and unpredictable as healing?

I honestly can’t tell you why, because I started writing with the image of Lance in my head and the story formed around him. I started with a character and then let my imagination run wild. I would say the theme of healing found me rather than me seeking it.

The film creates a very controlled environment while hinting at something more chaotic underneath. What were you exploring in that tension between control and emotional uncertainty?

That’s such a great observation. I think I was really drawn to the