Stormlight Pictures and Aradia Pictures’ Where the Hell is Anna? Shot entirely on location in Tennessee, the regional indie sensation premiered at the Nashville Film Festival. After taking home the festival’s prestigious Best Tennessee Feature Film trophy, organizers added an encore screening on September 28.
Flower Crowns, Blood Sacrifices, and Sinister Sisterhood
The story follows Derick. She’s a messy, heartbroken young woman who refuses to accept her best friend Anna’s sudden disappearance. Driven by desperation, Derick tracks Anna to a secretive, women-only woodland retreat and crashes the secluded commune.
Once inside, she discovers a bizarre, sun-drenched environment. The residents are preparing Anna for a sacred ritual known as “Induction Day.” However, beneath the commune’s bright floral aesthetics and superficial sisterhood mantras lies a terrifying nightmare. One that involves sinister fertility experiments and gruesome blood sacrifices. It also promises ascension to a high-dimensional paradise called Summerland.
‘Midsommar’ Meets ‘Booksmart’ in a Darkly Comic Survival Tale
Fusing visceral folk horror with sharp, satirical humor, Where the Hell is Anna? strikes a wildly entertaining tone at the intersection of Midsommar, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Booksmart. Beyond the practical gore and cult chaos, the narrative tackles the frustrating, relatable ordeal of trying to rescue a friend who might not actually want to be saved. Balancing high-stakes comedic energy with suffocating suspense, Derick must fight for survival while attempting to figure out where emotional healing ends and total brainwashing begins.
A Showcase for Regional Independent Cinema
The film is from Taylor Dupuis, an actor, filmmaker, and musician who anchors the project both behind and in front of the camera. Dupuis leads a talented ensemble cast featuring Matthew Crosby, Hope Karwoski, Nicholas Griffy, and Allison Shru. Lauren Whistle and Kenzie Wynne round out the cast. Produced by Karwoski alongside Logen Christopher, the film stands as a vibrant testament to the creative strength of Tennessee’s independent cinema scene.
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