Berkshire Film Commission

Great Barrington-born Alethea Root returns home to screen her directorial debut, “Part Time Fabulous,” a feature film she made with Jules Bruff (TIXE Films) and Don Presley (Truth 13 Productions) in partnership with Eleonore Daily and Cheryl Stewart (howUNoriginal Productions). The film addresses the silent epidemic of depression.

This compelling feature-length film weaves its tale of love, pain, and healing by chronicling the hidden struggles and controversial perspectives of real-life depression survivors against a modern love story. The film is proudly supported by the National Alliance for Mental Illness Berkshire County Chapter (NAMI) and was inspired by Bruff’s intensely personal experience with clinical depression—she was diagnosed at the age of 20 and battled the disorder in secret for years.

“Part Time Fabulous” celebrated its world premiere at the Monaco International Charity Film Festival, where creator and lead actor Jules Bruff was honored with a “Best Actress in a Narrative Feature” award for her portrayal of a woman coming to grips with her depression.

The production team began principal photography for the film in November 2009 and continued through May 2010. Bruff and Root documented more than 200 hours of personal accounts from 25 depression survivors across California. These real-life experiences are woven throughout the intense and modern love story surrounding the main characters, Mel (Jules Bruff) and Don (Bjorn Johnson).

The Berkshire’s own award-winning folk singer Meg Hutchinson lent her poignant song, “Being Happy,” to the trailer. “Part Time Fabulous” will screen on Friday, June 3 at 9 p.m. at the Triplex Cinema #2 and on Sunday June 5 at 11:15 a.m. at the Beacon Cinema. For more information on the film, cast, and crew, please visit the website for “Part Time Fabulous“; for screening information and festival passes, please visit the website for the Berkshire International Film Festival.