Rose Troche
About
Biography
Biography
Filmmaker whose feature debut "Go Fish" (1994), a 16mm romantic comedy set in the lesbian community of Chicago's Wicker Park, was the hit of the Sundance Film Festival and was the first of the features there to gain a distributor. Troche had made short films and worked in video in the years preceding "Go Fish," which was shot over 1991 and 1992 and wrapped with the financial intervention of independent producers Christine Vachon and Tom Kalin.
"Go Fish" starred Troche's co-writer and co-producer Guinevere Turner, whose search for romance brings about countless frustrations, quips, awkward interactions and finally love itself with a rather unexpected object choice. The feature proved to be a deft comedy which keenly explored the very idea of community as it portrayed contemporary urban lesbian culture. Its stylistic pleasures were based on its roots in low-budget and video filmmaking, its occasional forays into overt political questions balanced with small revelations possessing the charm and insight of good gossip.
It took several years, but Troche delivered an impressive follow-up feature, "Bedrooms & Hallways" (1998), a frothy romantic comedy that married elements of Noel Coward's "Design for Living" and Arthur Schnitzler's "Reigen/La Ronde." Instead of modern lesbians, Troche opted to focus on a British gay man whose 30th birthday causes him to reflect on his life. A comic examination of gender and sexual identity and attraction, "Bedrooms & Hallways" proved popular on the festival circuit before First Run Features picked it up for domestic distribution. Troche exhibited a strong command of the material, a flair for visual stylings and a gentle hand in guiding her ensemble cast which included Kevin McKidd as the protagonist, James Purefoy as the object of his affection and Tom Hollander as McKidd's flamboyant flatmate.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Editing (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Life Events
1994
Feature film directorial, producing and screenwriting debut, "Go Fish"
1997
Appeared as herself in "Pride Divide"
1998
Directed the romantic comedy "Bedrooms and Hallways", starring Kevin McKidd
2001
Wrote and directed "The Safety of Objects"; screened at Toronto Film Festival
