Press Play Movie Storyline. Laura (Clara Rugaard) and Harrison (Lewis Pullman) have the picture-perfect romance built on the foundation of a shared love of music. After a deadly accident, Laura is given the chance to save the love of her life when she discovers that their mixtape can transport her back in time. Featuring a moving soundtrack with songs by Japanese Breakfast, Father John Misty, Dayglow and more, Press Play reminds you that love can always be replayed.
Press Play is an American romantic drama film written and directed by Greg Björkman from a story by Josh Boone. It stars CClara Rugaard, Lewis Pullman, Lyrica Okano, Christina Chang, Matt Walsh, Danny Glover, Rachel Trautmann, Kekoa Kekumano, Andrea Elizabeth Sikkink, Taiana Tully and Cody Easterbrook. The film was released in the United States on June 24, 2022, by The Avenue Entertainment.
Press Play is a romantic drama directed by Greg Björkman that incorporates music into its story. It is written by Björkman and James Bachelor from a story by Josh Boone. On October 7, 2019, CJ Entertainment announced it would produce the film starring Clara Rugaard, Lewis Pullman, Danny Glover, and Lyrica Okano.
In a statement, Boone said “music has always been my magic carpet ride into the past. This story sprung from that idea — music as time travel.” Björkman said “music can be such an integral part of one’s life. What better way to travel back in time than through the soundtrack of your youth.” Filming began that same month in Hawaii. By May 2020, the film was in post-production with music supervisor Season Kent and editor Patrick J. Don Vito.
Director’s Statement
PRESS PLAY is about expectations and control and how hard it is to let go of them. When I set out to make the film, I wanted to create something that would both entertain and teach the audience the importance of letting go of expected outcomes. I’ve been through experiences in my own life that have brought me to the realization that you can’t control what other people think or do. I’ve found it’s a difficult realization to come to terms with, and it’s a challenge to control that impulse to try and change their mind.
I hope the film helps people realize that it’s important to try and overcome that human instinct. If we expect control over everything in our lives, that path can lead us to unnecessary grief and suffering. We tend to set ourselves up for failure by expecting specific outcomes.
The film was heavily inspired by someone very near and dear to me and who aided in my personal growth. In part, I made this film as a coping mechanism for subconsciously realizing I was slowly losing them and their familiarity. Grief is difficult. It’s not something that can be resolved immediately, nor is it a problem to be solved at all.
Everyone deals with grief differently, but the definitive hardship we all must face in this life is loss. Watching Laura in PRESS PLAY, we can see the denial and mental battle she experiences. Her reaction to loss is just as severe the second time as it was the first, even though she already knows and has time to prepare for the undesired, inevitable outcome, something many of us can relate to.
I wouldn’t have been able to make this film if it weren’t for many people. Josh Boone shared the idea with me to shepherd into a script and a film. Alexandra Torinus, one of my professors, had so much confidence in me at such an early stage in my schooling when others didn’t. Joan Darling taught me so much about patience. And the person I mentioned before who inspired me and helped me grow as a person. These people are among many who helped shape me and helped me grow as a person. I hope that this story and my future stories help others grow as well.
Press Play (2022)
Directed by: Greg Björkman
Starring: Clara Rugaard, Lewis Pullman, Lyrica Okano, Christina Chang, Matt Walsh, Danny Glover, Rachel Trautmann, Kekoa Kekumano, Andrea Elizabeth Sikkink, Taiana Tully, Cody Easterbrook
Screenplay by: Greg Björkman, James Bachelor
Production Design by: Dan Butts
Cinematography by: Luca Del Puppo
Film Editing by: Patrick J. Don Vito
Costume Design by: Mary Claire Hannan, Stephanie Powers
Set Decoration by: Craig K. Lewis
Art Direction by: Jack Carnevale
Music by: Eldad Guetta
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some drug use and brief suggestive material.
Distributed by: The Avenue Entertainment
Release Date: June 24, 2022
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