Then She Found Me

A film recently premiering at the gala opening of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, "Then She Found Me," marked the directorial debut
of Oscar winner Helen Hunt. Thinkfilm's extraordinary, bittersweet account of a middle aged NY schoolteacher, faced with her biological clock ticking,
brings both tears of joy and angst to the viewing audience. Flanked as a comedy, by Helen Hunt herself, the film is truly more of melodramatic tearjerker,
dealing with the raw emotions of the lead actress (also, Helen Hunt), playing the character of April Epner, who, all in a very short period of time, deals with
a failing marriage (with Matthew Broderick), and loses her adoptive mother. Yet, just as "one door closes, another one opens," as she meets her long lost,
quirky celebrity, bio-mom (exuberantly and brilliantly played by Bette Midler); and begins to date a parent of her student, the charming. yet volatile Colin
Firth.

Hunt fell in love with this script and project over a decade ago, and said "it took 10 years to make this 90 minute film" finally materialize.
Based on the novel by Elinor Lipman, "Then She Found Me," the script was one that Hunt "poured her heart and soul into," which is evident
by the final product. She truly concerned herself with the details and emotional state of her character, evidenced by April's facial expressions,
mannerisms, and dialogue in the film.

On the surface, the movie explores mother/daughter relationships; love; loss; divorce; death, and romance- yet on a deeper level, it is
about faith and trust in God- spirituality, and wholeness, "shalom". The film begins and ends with a Yiddish proverb, narrated as a voice-over,
about the early trust, love, guidance, and discipline, needed in parenting a young toddler, and guiding them with their first steps.