Sunstrokes

Los Angeles County, 2023 - 2025



The hybrid slacker film "Sunstrokes" portrays a group of young adults in Los Angeles, California, as they drift between parks, flats, and cars.


By integrating documentary techniques with fictional narratives, the film explores the social interactions of its characters as they navigate their relationships and daily lives. They reenact stereotypes to redefine the identities of others while struggling to formulate their own positions in society.
Among them is Rachel (Rahdeera), who moved to LA to leave her past behind and start fresh

Her friend Lili (Ava Hase), struggling with depression, reminisces about a time when she lived only in her dreams, a place where she felt limitless and remained untouched by external expectations.

Then there is Kevin (Jonathan Maguire), who has never made out with anyone, and Theo (Marco Martinez), who is tired of waiting for a relationship. 

In response, his friend Jiselle (Aria Patterson) suggests he stop waiting and instead channel his affection toward his family.



Rachel
Rahdeera

Lilly
Ava Hase

Kevin
Jonathan Maguire

Theo
Marco Martinez

Jiselle
Aria Patterson

Sanam
Anushka Shah

Sylvie
Olivia Idera

Tristan
Martin Duenes

Charly
Logan Fenner

Blair
Kennedy Franz

Sam
Simone Liu


Tobi
Oscar Madrid


Jake
Gabe Noah


Ronnie
Elvina Roberts

additional Camera
Danni Ma

Unit Production Manager
Xiangwu Xie
music by
Lene Talgø & Johannes Warnke

picture-posptroduction
PLANEMO
Marcin Malaszczak

color grading
Abdul Twebti

sound mixing
Jochen Jezussek

supported by
Student Union, CalArts

produced by
Berlin University of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts


directed by
Julian Rabus