Welcome!!
Welcome to the fundraising page for "Sundown", a short film inspired by my true life story.
My name is Tony Marquez, and I am the creator and director of an upcoming short film called "Sundown”. This film is a personal and cathartic piece that was created during a time of incredible stress for me and my sisters. In the Spring of 2022, my mom (pictured here) endured her first of many strokes.
What we were unaware of at the time was that our mom was already showing signs of early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, me and my sisters’ lives have turned upside down caretaking for our mom and learning all about the disease.
This film not only gives me an outlet to express my emotions but also hopefully sheds light on the difficulties of caretaking and the heartbreaking realities of elderly people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Logline
A dutiful yet exhausted caregiver shares a special bond with her dementia-inflicted patient.
Accolades
Sundowning
The title Sundown came about because of the term “sundowning” and the metaphor phrase “sunset of one’s life.”
Sundowning is a term for confusion that affects people with Alzheimer’s disease and other Dementia patients.
Our Story
“Sundown” follows two characters; Maria - an elderly woman with dementia and Sandra - her younger caretaker and daughter whom Maria can’t remember. This film is a “slice of life” between the two women and follows them at the time just before sundowning up to Maria’s bedtime. We chose this specific time to focus the story on as the times right before sundowning, sundown and bedtime, shows the most distress between caretaker and a dementia person. In this film we are hoping to show the emotional roller coaster Sandra faces as she juggles her life as well as now caring for her mom who can’t remember her. Not only that, we hope to show the devastating effects dementia has on Maria, a once independent woman who raised a successful daughter.
Characters
Maria
● A once successful doctor and independent woman
● She raised Sandra on her own and sacrificed living her own life for her daughter
● Takes great pride on how close her and her daughter were growing up
● In the middle stages of dementia, memories are forgotten but not near death
● Still able to converse and act independently for the most part, however memories have been lost and new memories can’t be formed
● 60s-80s - Can be a younger actor played older with HMU
Sandra
● Despite differences with her mom, they are extremely close. Think Gilmore Girls relationshi
● Always looked to make her mom proud, even going into the same medical profession as her mom to try and live up to her standards
● Grew up without a father, so finding her fiancee took a lot of work and time to develop a healthy relationship with a man
● Engaged for awhile, wedding postponed due to Maria’s condition and becoming the main caretaker for her - Struggling to live life and watch her mother while maintaining her own sanity
● 30s - 40s
Meet the Crew
Tony MarquezDirector
Tony is a Filipino American filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Originally from the Washington DC metro area, his love of storytelling grew from playing with cameras as a way of visual self-expression to understanding the power it has to connect and empathize with people who were far different than him. Tony has been fortunate to work on and learn from shows such as, Criminal Minds, Young Sheldon and Barbie. He was accepted into the Sundance Director Core Masterclass in 2020 and created two microbudget short films during the ongoing pandemic. In April 2024, he became a Directors of America Guild Member as a 2nd Assistant Director. He recently finished a new project titled FilAm, a deeply personal story that he hopes will shed light on his own Filipino American experience. It has had success in the festival circuit screening at The Studio City Film Festival, Awesome Con Film Festival and Cine Asian Films. His next project is titled Sundown, a story about a young caretaker watching over an elderly dementia patient.
Kathleen Barth
Writer
Kathleen Barth is a theatre director, writer, and independent filmmaker based in Washington, D.C. She's directed a variety of theatrical works within and outside the Washington, D.C. area, and she's received recognition for her work as an independent filmmaker. She wrote and directed the short film The Death of Anne Brontë, which screened at multiple festivals online and across the United States. Her next film, Sundown, which is currently in development, was written in collaboration with her dear friend, Tony Marquez. As an artist working in both theatre and film, Kathleen's passionate about showcasing women's voices and experiences. She also works as a teaching artist, bringing arts education to young people. She received her BFA in Theatre from George Mason University.
Emilee Reynolds
Producer
Emilee Reynolds (she/her) is a filmmaker with roots in Wisconsin and Minnesota, now based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her love for filmmaking grew out of her love for movies, and the way in which they opened a door to all that is possible in life. She received her BA in Studies in Cinema and Media Culture and Interdisciplinary Design at the University of Minnesota. She moved to LA to pursue a career in the film industry, and learned set protocols working as a Production Assistant and Assistant Director. She then moved to Albuquerque to continue her film career and now works as an Office Assistant learning the art of producing. She is a lover of fantasy, horror, and romance. Her vision as a director is one of outcasts, everyday witches and unceasing love. She pulls inspiration from her loved ones, and aims to tell stories that might help them understand themselves and the world around them a little better.
Andy BuiDirector of Photography
Andy, a son of two immigrants, celebrates his rich heritage as a blend of Vietnamese and Chinese roots. Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he embarked on a quest for self-expression, exploring diverse creative pursuits in search of his true calling. It wasn't until he stumbled upon filmmaking that Andy discovered his passion. Cinematography, in particular, became his canvas for visual storytelling, allowing him to craft narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Driven by a desire to bring people together, Andy found solace and purpose in independent filmmaking. Through his craft, he cultivated a vibrant community and platform, empowering him to find his voice as a storyteller. His films serve as a reflection of his upbringing and explore the nuances of his identity as a first-generation Asian American. Drawing inspiration from his multicultural background, Andy's work delves into the complexities of human experience, weaving together threads of tradition and modernity. With each frame, he seeks to foster connection and understanding, bridging divides and celebrating the universal language of cinema. As he continues on his cinematic journey, Andy remains committed to amplifying diverse voices and shedding light on untold stories, forging a path that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Martie Faye AgravanteSong Writer
Martie Faye is a Filipino-born singer and New England-raised songwriter. Born in Naga City, Philippines, and raised on karaoke and school choirs, she draws from nearly two decades of vocal training across Choral, Jazz, and Pop styles. Self-taught on guitar, piano, and ukulele, her sweet storytelling vocals pack a punch. Blending influences from poets like Dickinson and Frost with artists such as Joni Mitchell and Lorde, Faye is an introspective lyricist with a focus on folk-pop music. After undergoing a music production workshop with Apple Music in 2021, she continues to evolve as a performer and producer. Her recent EP “Anniversary” explores themes of resilience through grief and healing after loss.
Why Is This Film Important?
It is believed that over 9 million Americans live with some form of Dementia today.
Billions are spent each year on rising healthcare costs relating to dementia. In addition to financial burdens, family and care partners looking after loved ones are often emotionally
frustrated and physically stretched.
Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with dementia & Alzheimer’s disease
In 2022, unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18 BILLION hours of care valued at $339.5 billion dollars
Today there are no cures or effective long term treatments
Budget Breakdown
Please Support "Sundown" with a Tax-Deductible Donation!
All donations are Tax-Deductible through our Fiscal Sponsorship with From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.
Thank You!!
For More Information:
