By Valerie Milano
Phoenix, AZ (The Hollywood Times) 6/23/24 – Audiences nationwide will fall in love this summer with writer-director Carter Ward’s new romance feature, Step Back, Doors Closing. The film takes viewers on a captivating journey through the historical evening streets of Washington D.C. amidst the twilight, Ryan and Julisa (played by Reilly Walters and Carmen Berkeley) experience a serendipitous encounter that alters the course of their lives forever.
One of the most invigorating aspects to romance films is there are so many tried and true tropes that film enthusiasts cannot get enough of. From the ‘met them at a bar’ to ‘enemies to lovers’ storylines, there are a wide array of subgenres to choose from. For Step back, Doors Closing, the subgenre selected is a universal favorite. Director Carter Ward says, “I think it was a lack of inspiration, funny enough. I had already written 2 feature scripts and I was struggling to come up with a new, unique idea. I eventually decided to go in the opposite direction. I asked myself, ‘what’s a type of film that’s been done before that works well but it’s so simple that no one filmmaker can lay claim to it?’ The answer was walking, talking and falling in love. So, I decided to do my version of that. It was also a good idea for me as a young filmmaker starting out because, even though the script was way more ambitious than I realized at the time, this film turned into something I could do on my own.”
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Step Back, Doors Closing is imbued with immense hope and relatability, drawing viewers into a world of love, enchantment, and sweetness. It evokes memories of unexpected moments that changed our lives. Talented and beautiful actress Carmen Berkeley shares, “What I hope people relate to, especially when you’re in this continuous process of growing up, is this occurrence of the decisions we have made leading you down a certain road, and then all of a sudden all it takes is just meeting one person that changes everything. I think that’s the most fun thing about the film. That sense of adventure that comes from such a small chance occurrence.”
This charming film invites audiences to pause and fall in love with the main characters, offering a refreshing escape from the status quo of our world. Ward reveals, “I hope it’s a nice break from reality. I really laughed out loud once we got our screening date for Dances with Films, it’s the same night as the presidential debate. We can forget about all that noise for a minute just watch this simple love story, enjoy the simplicity of life, a little bit of magic, that’s my biggest thing, I want this movie to be a break for people.”
In a world brimming with complexities, Step Back, Doors Closing offers a gentle respite through its simple yet profound love story. Carter Ward’s artistic vision, brought to life by the compelling performances of Reilly Walters and Carmen Berkeley, captures the magic in everyday encounters. This film not only promises to enchant audiences with its heartfelt narrative but also encourages a momentary escape into a realm where love, serendipity, and transformation reign supreme. As viewers lose themselves in the labyrinth of the lovers’ evening stroll, they may find a renewed appreciation for the unexpected beauty in life’s simplest moments.
