Backroads

Institute History

Description

Anger, rage, and a deep sense of injustice infuse this fast-paced drama that takes place on the Wabatamook Reservation. The story begins with a middle-aged refrigerator salesman, Marc Leduc, arriving at Ella Lee's house with the "offer of the month." But he is more interested in taking advantage of Ella Lee and rapes her. Mary Lou, a neighbor with rumored "shape-shifter" powers, sees him leave as she watches in silence.

Ella Lee calls the police to report the crime. One of the two officers, Larry, doesn't believe her story and he, too, abuses her. Then her husband comes home and beats her even more, suggesting "she asked for it." Suddenly something in Ella Lee just snaps. She's had enough. She fights back by picking up the nearest weapon she can find, a knife, and stabs him repeatedly.

Meanwhile, a car containing Marc Leduc's body is found in a nearby river and the police arrest Ella Lee. Luckily Grace, Ella Lee's sister, is a lawyer. She defends Ella Lee, who is released from jail. All the while, Mary Lou looks on from a distance, silently smoking a cigarette.

Suspicious omens just seem to appear to Mary Lou. Some call her a "bearwalker." Ella Lee and her sisters believe Mary Lou's powers to be very real, and quite powerful.

Grace arrives at the police station and demands to see Marc Leduc's autopsy report. It is revealed that he died of a heart attack. Grace then discovers that Ella Lee is in the hospital, the victim of yet another of Larry's attacks. Ned, who's been framed for the assault on Ella Lee, is arrested and Grace takes on his case. She's able to prove that Larry is the one responsible for assaulting Ella Lee. As they leave the court house, they notice Mary Lou standing, smoking, watching them.

That night while Larry drives along the highway, he sees a ball of fire coming towards him. It follows him home and enters his house where it explodes. Fire trucks arrive but are unable to save the flaming house or Larry. Across the road, Mary Lou stands smoking again. She then disappears into the crowd.

Credits

As you use our Online Archives, please understand that the information presented from Festivals, Labs, and other activities is taken directly from official publications from each year. While this information is limited and doesn't necessarily represent the full list of participants (e.g. actors and crew), it is the list given to us by the main film/play/project contact at the time, based on the space restrictions of our publications. Each entry in the Online Archives is meant as a historical record of a particular film, play, or project at the time of its involvement with Sundance Institute. For this reason, we can only amend an entry if a name is misspelled, or if the entry does not correctly reflect the original publication. If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected]