Experience a quixotic new nightmare when writer/director Stephen Rutterford’s horror-mystery Finding Ophelia premieres on digital this June. New York Advertising Executive William Edgar (Jimmy Levar) is mesmerized by a series of hypnotic dreams that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. His life is thrown into disarray when forced to choose between his career, his relationships and his romantic obsession with a mysterious woman (Christina Chu). Doing whatever it takes to find her, leads down a bizarre, dark path of signs and wonders, William soon discovers that finding the girl of your dreams can be a nightmare.
Finding Ophelia premieres on digital platforms (Tubi, Google Play and Amazon) June 23 from Indie Rights.
We spoke with Stephen Rutterford about the film. Here’s what he had to say:
When did this project come to be?
01 yr BC- (Before COVID) Luckily I had most of it in the can (or hard drive) before lock down so I was able to throw myself into editing around the clock for 3-4 months.
And the inspiration?
My fascination with dreams and the possibility of parallel realms. Listening to ethereal soundscapes that take your mind to another place. And a weird, vague memory of a haunting shampoo commercial I saw as a child.
Is this a genre you normally gravitate towards?
I don’t really have a specific genre in mind. I try to create a tone or an emotion and the idea will evolve out of that. I usually edge towards the weirdly comedic a little more. I’ve always enjoyed the surreal and the absurd. This is a supernatural mystery- but verging on sci-fi/ fantasy and a little bit of psychological horror thrown in. 
Would you say there’s a message in the movie?
I’d like to leave room for the viewers to have their own interpretation, but I think there is a theme or a cautionary message here about obsessing about your life’s idols, money, power, love, etc., no matter what it costs you.
Did you pull a Hitchcock – or a Shyamalan – and cameo in the movie yourself?
I slam a bourbon on the table to end the girlfriend scene, but you can’t see my face. I did have a line in the film but I cut it out as it was rubbish. My reflection is in the subway car window when Will misses his train.
Being an independent production, I’d think you probably ended up wearing more hats on it than credited. Was that the case?
Yes, many many hats, to the point where it’s almost embarrassing to mention them all. But sometimes it’s quicker to do it yourself rather than explain it all to someone else. At least you can get it exactly how you want it the first time. The behind-the-scenes photos are very underwhelming – some of the shots came out looking epic, but instead of a 50 person crew with lights and cranes. It’s just me with a small camera.
If an awards ceremony were going to show a moment from the film, what moment would you ask them to play?
Probably the scene where his finger detaches and crawls along the floor like a caterpillar.
Considering the year we’ve had, most of us appreciate film and other forms of entertainment more than ever. How have you been distracting yourself from outside worries during the past year?
Apart from making this film, I got to watch a bunch of weird Japanese films on YouTube.
Do you think theaters are going to bounce back?
People are eager to escape their homes but I think audiences are cautious to sit in a dark room with strangers eating popcorn. Cinemas will bounce back, but very gradually. That’s my hope, as going to the cinema is the best thing ever.