Before You Know It

Before You Know It

Premiering at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, Before You Know It is a witty and heartfelt family dramedy about self-discovery, second chances, and the messy beauty of human connection. Directed by and starring Hannah Pearl Utt, the film blends sharp humor with emotional vulnerability to explore the fragile balance between responsibility and self-fulfillment.

The story follows sisters Rachel (Utt) and Jackie (Jen Tullock), who live in New York above the small theatre their eccentric family operates. After an unexpected tragedy, the sisters discover that their long-presumed-dead mother (Judith Light) is not only alive, but a soap opera star living a world away from their bohemian chaos. As the women attempt to reconnect, they’re forced to confront long-buried secrets and redefine what family truly means.

Utt’s direction captures the vibrancy and absurdity of modern life with authenticity and humor, while the film’s ensemble cast—featuring standout performances from Tullock and Light—brings warmth and nuance to each character’s emotional journey.

Balancing comedy and melancholy, Before You Know It is a tender meditation on loss, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to grow up at any age. It’s a film about rediscovering love in unexpected places—and learning that sometimes, the hardest part of moving forward is allowing yourself to let go.

Screening With:

No

Student Shorts Showcase

A Chinese couple tricks a lost Chinese woman into believing they can’t speak Chinese.

6 mins
Canada, 2018
Dir. Szu-Wei Chen
Language: English

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