Courtney Stephens and Callie Hernandez Talk ‘Invention,’ American Mythology, and their Innovative Approach to Filmmaking at Locarno

In “Invention,” Carrie (Callie Hernandez) inherits a peculiar patent for an electromagnetic healing device following her father’s death. The device, resembling a sci-fi prop with its multicolored tubes and odd noises, was modeled after one her late father had.

Director Courtney Stephens, discussing her film premiering at Locarno, describes this machine as “the mystery at the heart of the story.” Carrie grapples with the loss of her father, a controversial figure who was both a doctor and a “spiritual healer” with questionable credibility.

While “Invention” delves into the universal theme of mourning a complex loved one, its distinctive approach sets it apart. Competing in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente category, the film blends fiction with elements of autobiography, documentary, and archival material, transcending traditional narrative boundaries.

This genre-blending serves a greater purpose, merging fairytales, mythology, and American idioms into a thought-provoking exploration of conspiracy theories. As the filmmakers explain, “We encountered intriguing people and recognized a sense of hope in their conspiracy tales—conspiracies are just stories.”

Stephens refers to “Invention” as a “diary of its own making,” a reflection of the creative freedom during the writers’ strike and the post-COVID era. “We discovered the film as we made it,” Hernandez notes, emphasizing their initial idea to create a film about loss without a fixed genre.

Together with cinematographer Rafael Palacio Illingworth and a small cast, Stephens and Hernandez undertook a modest production to explore unconventional grieving methods and the belief systems shaping American life. Hernandez managed sound, while cast members assisted with various tasks.

“We aimed to challenge the notion of grief as a neat process,” Stephens explains. “Grief is messy and disorganized, and you endure because time passes, transforming you.”

Hernandez adds, “We both recognized that grief controls you rather than the other way around.” This empathy is evident in Hernandez’s portrayal of Carrie, who initially reacts with a “wooden” demeanor to her father’s supporters. Despite their investigation into medical conspiracy theories, the focus remains on the impact of these beliefs on individuals rather than condemnation.

As the story uncovers, Carrie begins to see why her father was a “true believer,” moving past skepticism about the machine’s effectiveness. The film shifts from the distractions of grief to the solace found in believing, reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream in the post-COVID era. As Stephens aptly summarizes, “Even the seemingly insignificant moments of grief hold value—the mundane, the magical, and everything in between.”