A short flick based in Waco is making its way to one of the biggest movie festivals in the world. “The Heart of Texas,” a 15-minute film, tells the story of an aspiring singer whose life intersects with an undocumented person just as she’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough. The film has traveled the globe, screening at various festivals, and now it’s set to shine at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Gregory Kasunich, the writer and director of “The Heart of Texas,” sat down with Texas Standard to chat about the film’s journey. He shared that the film has journeyed far and wide, from the United States to Europe and beyond. Last year, the film snagged a win for best original score at the Cannes Indie Shorts Festival, marking Kasunich’s first time at the famed festival and sparking excitement for his return.
Kasunich emphasized the importance of music in the film, stating that it plays a crucial role in driving the narrative forward. He explained that while the film revolves around music, they intentionally avoided classic Texas sounds like slide guitar and pedal steel in the score to give the country/western music room to breathe. Despite not having any Texas roots himself, Kasunich shared how a visit to the Waco Indie Film Festival led him to meet key collaborators and inspired the transformation of the script into a Texas-centric story.
The filmmaker highlighted the contributions of Texans to the project, including a cultural producer who provided insights into the immigrant experience, a professor who involved students in the filmmaking process, and the support received from various communities across Texas. Kasunich emphasized that despite his and other crew members’ origins in Los Angeles, the film truly embodies the spirit of Texas.
Reflecting on the film’s themes, Kasunich noted the universal nature of the characters’ experiences, emphasizing the pursuit of dreams and success in the face of challenges. The film’s recognition by the Texas House of Representatives for its contribution to the state’s film landscape came as a pleasant surprise to Kasunich, who hopes it will inspire more filmmakers to tell Texas stories.
Looking ahead, Kasunich expressed his desire to see the film continue to make an impact and potentially expand into a feature-length production. Despite the ups and downs of the filmmaking journey, he encouraged aspiring filmmakers to create and share their work, emphasizing the importance of networking and seizing opportunities that come their way.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like “The Heart of Texas” is more than just a short film—it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the collaborative spirit of the filmmaking community. Who knows where this journey will lead next, but one thing’s for sure: the heart of Texas beats strong in this cinematic gem.
