By Patrick McDonald

CHICAGO – As each generation transitions to adulthood, the overwhelming changes that occur in employment, relationships and loss become their drama. Director Gregory Dixon and writer McKenzie Chinn teamed up to create a film that addresses that drama, in the made-in-Chicago “Olympia.” The film is screening at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Monday, October 15th, 2018 (5:30pm).

Olympia Welles (Chinn) is a Chicago artist in adulthood transition. Her best friend is moving to New York City, her job situation is in flux and her boyfriend Felix (Charles Andrew Gardner) wants more from her. At the same time, her mother is suffering from cancer, and her worsening condition is her greatest concern. All these circumstances start to force decisions from Olympia, and not all of them are good.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Gregory Dixon of “Olympia” talks about the transitions in the film, the character of Chicago as a setting for it, and his visual style.