Duncan Riddell.

As Artistic Associate and former Literary Manager at A Red Orchid Theatre, Duncan Riddell knows a thing or two about crafting a convincing performance in close-up. His feature filmmaking debut, “Older Children,” introduces moviegoers to an array of fresh-faced talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Utilizing Woody Allen’s 1986 masterpiece, “Hannah and Her Sisters” as his artistic inspiration, Riddell intertwines a series of amusing and touching vignettes about privileged twentysomethings attempting to become self-sufficient adults. It’s an impressive first feature loaded with fine performances from an ensemble that includes Melissa Engle, Christopher Renton, Skyler Schrempp, Marika Engelhardt, Walter Briggs, Caroline Neff, Amanda Powell (who reminded me of a young Judy Davis) and Riddell himself. The film premieres at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Saturday, November 10th (for tickets and showtimes, click here). The following podcast features my conversation with Riddell, whose career in filmmaking holds great promise.

The program was produced at Columbia College Chicago. Technical producer was Rebecca Nystedt. An Indie Outlook production.

Older Children [Official Trailer] from Wild Mouse on Vimeo.