Based on the book “One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity While Following Your Dreams” by Tom Ingrassia and Jared Chrudimsky, who also serve as producers and directors, the film sheds light on four out of the 16 featured in the book
WORCESTER—Amidst adversity and trials, creativity and bravery often emerge as guiding forces. This sentiment serves as both the inspiration and driving spirit behind a new documentary film, born from the pages of a compelling book.
“One Door Closes: Korey’s Courage” has been selected for the prestigious Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, sponsored by the Shawna Shea Foundation based in Worcester and Southbridge. During the festival, running from April 25-28, the film will be available online exclusively for ticket holders. Additionally, the documentary has been chosen for the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival.
Based on the book “One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity While Following Your Dreams” by Tom Ingrassia and Jared Chrudimsky, who also serve as producers and directors, the film sheds light on four out of the 16 featured in the book. The documentary highlights the journeys of Ken McDonnell, June Monteiro, Scherrie Payne, and Korey Varano from the book, with the fifth story featuring Mary Wilson from the Supremes.
“While we would have loved to feature all 16 [people] in the movie,” explained Tom Ingrassia, “that was impossible for a 90-minute film. So we selected five stories. Because she died before we could film her segment, and she was going to do the narration, the final segment of the film is a special dedication to Mary Wilson–with me reading several passages from her chapter of the book.”
When they started writing the book in 2013, Ingrassia said he and Chrudimsky already knew several people who had incredible stories to share. They immediately contacted Wilson, Payne and Monteiro, and others they connected with through networking groups.
“And, as we started telling people about the book, they started telling us about people we should include,” said Ingrassia. “That is how we were able to include [Abby’s House founder] Annette Rafferty’s story in the book. In terms of the film, we selected the stories we felt were the most compelling and would resonate the most with people. It was not an easy decision–we wanted stories that had not already been told elsewhere.”
Both the book and documentary showcase the poignant yet uplifting stories of McDonnell’s journey through a traumatic brain injury, Varano’s battle with childhood cancer leading to the amputation of her leg, Payne’s struggles with depression, low self-esteem, and breast cancer, and Monteiro’s fight against lung cancer. Ingrassia describes them as “ordinary people who have achieved the extraordinary.”
“[There are] stories I intentionally included as examples that even famous people face challenges and obstacles,” said Ingrassia, “and have to find a way to overcome…usually in the public spotlight.”
The Central Massachusetts roots are strong and numerous as they relate to both the book and the film. McDonnell lives in Holden, as do Ingrassia and Chrudimsky, who runs his business, Revitalize Massage Therapy, on West Boylston Street in Worcester. Kristjon Imperio, who provided some of the music for the film, also lives in Holden and is the director of programs and operations at Pakachoag Music School. Scott Lamlein, who also provided music for the film, is the former music director of Wesley United Methodist Church, on Main Street in Worcester, and June Monteiro’s segment for the film was filmed at the Beechwood Hotel in 2019.
Finding the right director for “One Door Closes: Korey’s Courage” is a story in itself, explained Ingrassia. For several months in 2017, he had been interviewing potential candidates and “not finding anyone I thought shared Jared’s and my vision for the film.”
One day, seemingly out of the blue, Ingrassia got a call from Ann Walsh, who identified herself not only as a Boston-based documentary filmmaker, but a close friend of Korey Varano’s. Walsh, who grew up in Southborough, told Ingrassia, “Korey told me that you’re making a documentary about your book. I want to make a documentary about Korey’s story. Do you think we can work together?”
Within five minutes, it was clear that Walsh was right for the job.
“Now, that does not mean that she and I didn’t butt heads on occasion–that is how we creatives are,” said Ingrassia. ”But, the finished product almost exactly matches my original vision for this film. Our crew consisted primarily of Anna, Jared, me, and our cast members. This truly is an independently-produced film. Anna did the editing, as well as syncing the music.”
It’s a familiar story in that the biggest hurdle to producing the film was the pandemic shutdown. The world’s production of most things came to a screeching halt, and that includes self-produced documentaries. It was also during the COVID pandemic that Wilson passed away, unexpectedly, in February of 2021.
“I had talked with her about coming out to Las Vegas, where she lived, to film her scenes and the narration on February 3 or 4, 2021,” said Ingrassia. “And then I got an early morning phone call on February 8…she had died in her sleep. My heart shattered. I actually had her contract sitting on my desk when I got that call. I almost gave up on the movie; her involvement was that important to me. However, out of adversity comes creativity. The pandemic shutdown–and the loss of Mary Wilson–gave Anna, Jared and me time to re-envision the format of the film. And, I think it is a stronger film for it, although nothing can ever replace Mary Wilson’s involvement.”
The making of the documentary was primarily-self funded, with a handful of corporate sponsors jumping on board to help pay for premiere-related expenses. Now with a completed film in hand, Ingrassia said he plans to apply for grant funding that will help cushion the licensing fees when selling the film to a streaming service.
The most expensive part of the film was related to music licensing, with nearly $5,000 spent on being able to use certain tunes.
“However, I was very definite about the music I wanted to use,” stressed Ingrassia. “Having Mary Wilson’s ‘Life’s Been Good To Me,’ (written by Paul Hill) and Scherrie Payne’s ‘Hope’ (written by Paul Jabara & Bob Esty) were integral to the film’s message. Now, in addition to the basic licensing fees, I also will have to make royalty payments whenever the film is shown in a public forum.”
Ingrassia said he will continue to enter “One Door Closes” into film festivals around the country in 2024 and beyond, with the ultimate goal to have the movie picked up by either PBS or a streaming service.
“These are inspiring stories of healing and hope that we want as many people as possible to hear,” said Ingrassia. “And, yes, I would love for this film to be nominated for…and receive…some awards.”
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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