Inspired by the iconic ‘80s fantasy films we all grew up on, Go for Grandma is a magical journey into the mind of a young boy who escapes a traumatic home life through the power of his imagination. The movie stars Succession star Justine Lupe and Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan. Its world premiere was at AFI FEST 2023. The Moveable Fest calls it “a glorious coming-of-age story... a tender tale of fraught family dynamics and boundless creativity.”
Director Statement
Go for Grandma is about the resilience and imagination of children in the face of trauma inflicted on them by damaged adults. It draws on the '80s fantasy films we all grew up on — films like The NeverEnding Story, E.T. and Labyrinth, which magically transport us to other worlds by way of darkness.
We wanted to tell a story that empowers children, gives them control. This feels particularly pressing given the threats to their well-being posed by climate change and social media. “Magic is real,” says one of our characters, and this film asks audiences to set aside cynicism and jadedness and believe in the miracles of childhood.
We were so fortunate to have the giant talents of Succession star Justine Lupe and Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan portraying two complex, flawed maternal characters in the movie. Through their mother-daughter performances, we begin to understand intergenerational trauma and the power of love to break cycles of abuse.
This film is also a cinematic celebration of storytelling. We made it for everyone who is – or has ever been – a kid and has dared to believe in a reality beyond the ordinary.
Visit the Go for Grandma website for more on the making of the movie.
