Institute History
Description
Following the sudden and tragic death of her mother, young Alysia is uprooted by her father Steve in hopes of restarting his life. They move to 1970s San Francisco where Steve develops his poetic and personal writing and begins to openly date men. Steve’s bohemian lifestyle clashes with the expectations of parenthood from both the outside world and Alysia herself, who occasionally wishes for less of the independence her father gives her. As Alysia grows into a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, their bonds and duty to each other are tested in painful and sudden ways.
Based on Alysia Abbott’s 2013 memoir and elegantly told by writer-director Andrew Durham in his debut feature, Fairyland is a film about a family unique for its time but instantly recognizable. Actors Scoot McNairy and Emilia Jones beautifully capture the complex mix of fealty, embarrassment, and pride that are part of any father-daughter relationship, but especially one set in 1970s and ’80s San Francisco with its indelible legacy of loss and love.
This film offers Audio Description. For in-person screenings, please submit an accommodation request to arrange for an audio description device at your screening time/location. This assists our Accessibility team with ensuring enough devices are available.