A woman breaks free from the metaphorical chains of abuse in Erika Arlee’s heartfelt drama, A Song For Imogene. Set in a nondescript rural town in the South, the first-time writer/director uses the character of Cheyenne to give a voice to all of the women who have ever felt the constraints of being trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship.
Cheyenne (Kristi Ray) is struggling. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy and a manipulative partner who has a habit of getting out his aggression at her, Cheyenne has reached her breaking point. Desperate for refuge from her chaotic environment, she returns to her childhood home where her mother still lives, who she hasn’t seen in some time. It’s clear that their relationship is contentious and the reunion is lukewarm at best. Unfortunately, Cheyenne and her mother never get the chance to properly reconnect after she unexpectedly passes away overnight. Faced with unwanted change in all aspects of her life, Cheyenne is forced to make some difficult decisions that, while challenging, enable her to begin living with conviction.
Filmmaker Erika Arlee pours her heart and personal experience into A Song for Imogene as she divulges that her past involvement in emotionally abusive relationships was part of the inspiration for the script. As therapeutic as it must have been to create, the film’s grounding central character and universal appeal keep it from feeling too nuanced. The authenticity that radiates from the screen – from the story itself to the locations, music (including a cover of ‘Delta Dawn’ by Tanya Tucker), and costumes – feels like a breath of fresh air.
The film is a slow burn, which adds to the authenticity of the story. Life-changing decisions typically don’t happen overnight, they are a methodical building blocks of confidence that takes time to construct before one feels ready to break free. In A Song For Imogene, we witness Cheyenne taking baby steps on her journey toward self-independence. If this film had a sequel, that’s where we would see her really take off.
A Song For Imogene, which made its World Premiere at the 2023 Bentonville Film Festival, lives in the same universe as To Leslie, the film that led to Andrea Riseborough’s Academy Award nomination. Both films show the grit and determination of a woman who is committed to changing her life for the better. Kristi Ray gives a phenomenal performance as Cheyenne, a woman on the verge of a breakdown. McKenzie Barwick, who plays Cheyenne’s estranged sister, Janelle, offers a complexity that adds necessary tension. Their dynamic feels truthful and rewarding to observe.
Female-led both in front of and behind the camera, A Song For Imogene is ultimately an optimistic tale about self-perseverance and the power of independence. Cheyenne had to lose what she thought she wanted to gain what she actually needed, and that is a powerful message that deserves attention.
