Yale Alumni Duo Premieres Dark Comedy at Woodstock Film Festival

Delilah Napier and Lucy Powers, both graduates of Yale University, premiered their feature film, “Floating Carousel,” at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 6, 2023. The film, a dark comedy, received the prestigious “Ultra Indie” award during the festival, marking a significant milestone in the duo’s creative journey.

Inspired by a peculiar incident that occurred in 2021, Napier and Powers crafted a narrative that reflects the complexities of modern dating in New York City. The filmmakers both downloaded the dating app Hinge and ended up going on dates with the same man just days apart. Napier described the experience, stating, “We realized he followed this psychopathically manipulated routine, and he had his script down to a T.” This realization prompted them to explore the patterns in their dating lives and those of their peers.

Collaboration Rooted in Yale

The partnership between Napier and Powers began during their undergraduate years at Yale, where they majored in theater and performance studies. They met on their first day and collaborated on multiple projects, including eight plays. Their senior thesis involved co-creating a film, an experience that solidified their bond as collaborators. Powers recalled, “At the time, no one had done that yet at all. We justified it because we made our movie about theater students putting on a play at Yale.”

Their first film, “Voyeur,” won the best U.S. feature film and an audience award at the 2020 SoHo International Film Festival. Following their graduation, they continued their creative partnership with projects like “The Compound” in 2021 and “Victor Versus the Metaverse” in 2022.

Exploring Modern Relationships

“We’re trying to explore this idea of having all these people all around you, but these fake intimacies sometimes make us feel closer than we are,”

Powers explained. The film delves into how dating apps have transformed relationships into transactions, often creating a sense of isolation amid the abundance of connectivity. Napier echoed this sentiment, noting that such “fake intimacies” can lead to increased loneliness.

The narrative features a diverse cast of characters, including a Gender Studies master’s student, a messy philanderer, and an aspiring cabaret artist. Actor Glori Dei Filippone portrays Alex, a character who leverages her sexuality to navigate the dating scene. Filippone hopes audiences will see reflections of their own experiences in the film, stating, “The film forces you to think about your own inner life and makes you recognize that even with the shortcomings of being human, we’re all worthy of love and connection.”

Through humor and satire, Napier and Powers aim to address the gray areas of human experiences. They believe that laughter can foster connections and facilitate discussions about the complexities of modern life. Powers noted, “We really want there to be comedy and levity at the heart of our work always because we think that actually coming together, laughing at things that are scarily familiar to people is how we can connect and talk about some of the weird things we’re experiencing today.”

The Woodstock Film Festival, founded in 2000, has become a platform for independent filmmakers and continues to celebrate innovative storytelling. With the success of “Floating Carousel,” Napier and Powers have once again demonstrated their ability to blend creativity and authenticity in their work, resonating with audiences navigating the complexities of modern relationships.