Iliza Shlesinger's 'Chasing Summer': Art Over Laughs

In 'Chasing Summer,' comedian Iliza Shlesinger sought to create an artistic film, moving beyond straightforward comedy. The project began with a simple idea about high school coming back to haunt someone, evolving over multiple rewrites into a narrative about a woman revisiting her Texas hometown.

Shlesinger partnered with indie director Josephine Decker, known for dramas, to achieve a more artistic vision. Decker, also from Texas, understood the regional nuances, which aided in casting actors like Megan Mullally and Garrett Wareing who fit the locale. The film centers on Jamie, a humanitarian aid worker who returns home after a breakup.

Jamie finds herself in a passionate affair with a younger man, Colby, after meeting him at a party. The film intentionally stages its numerous sex scenes through a female lens, focusing on sensuality and beauty rather than explicit depiction. This approach, while deliberate in its pacing, was noted in test screenings to be longer than typical romance scenes.

Both Shlesinger and Decker utilized intimacy coordinators to ensure emotional safety and enhance storytelling during the filming of intimate moments. 'Chasing Summer' is now seeking distribution, with the filmmakers hoping it finds a wide audience and commercial success.