SIFF closes with new coming-of-age film ‘Crush’

SIFF closes with new coming-of-age film 'Crush'

Syracuse-based American High participated in a Q&A panel after the movie screening.
Published: October 26, 2022
Crush movie
"Crush" follows Paige as she navigates love, high school and an accusation of being the school's anonymous graffiti artist.

Syracuse’s International Film Festival ends the event off with Hulu’s new coming-of-age film, Crush. This being the last film comes from the brains behind American High who joined the festival for a Q&A panel after the screening. 

Head of production Will Phelps, interviewed by  SU alumni; Axelle Azoulay, engaged with the audience at the MOST theater after the screening of American High’s newest film, Crush

American High studios are based right out of Liverpool so it was only right that the neighboring city of Syracuse was given a taste of their movie magic since Syracuse is the reason why they have so many reoccurring talents. 

As once described as “Summer Camp” by The New York Times, American High productions show what a fun time Syracuse is. Recurring talent comes from the experience that this team brings.  

American High productions are also known for their earlier Hulu hit, Big Time Adolescence, starring Pete Davidson. American High studios currently has an 8 movie deal with Hulu, said Phelps. 

American High Head Of Production Will Phelps and Axelle Azoulay who interviewed him.
American High head Of production Will Phelps joins interviewer Axelle Azoulay during the Syracuse International Film Festival closing night.

The company has an eight-film movie deal with Hulu, as said by Will Phelps.

“Essentially we bought a high school in Liverpool in 2017 and we shot 15 films so far. The reason we bought the high school is because we knew we wanted to make high school movies” Phelps said. 

The American High team saw a growing market for high school comedies. To do this you need a set location which can run pretty high. Once they found this space they were able to use that as a way to market and bring in new ideas to produce. 

Crush, which had actually been called Love in Color when it was first shot, was American High’s 13th movie. First time Director, Sammi Cohen filmed the movie around Syracuse during the pandemic. 

Cohen has since been noticed by Adam Sandler and is now set to direct the next Happy Madison film. Phelps said that she is, “someone to watch.” 

Phelps was also being honored with The Sofia award tonight by the Syracuse International Film Festival. 

Phelps along with founder and CEO of American High; Jeremy Garelick will receive that award this year. People initially questioned him about why he chose upstate New York for American High headquarters, Phelps said. “Now it’s totally flipped. People are calling us all the time asking, ‘are you available can we shoot there?”

Now they are being recognized at film festivals, and receiving new script submissions every week, Phelps tells the audience.

Film Review: 'Crush'
October 26, 2022 4:00 pm

Crush centers on Paige Evans and her journey into her queer relationship. Paige has been out for years, yet can’t make a move on the girl she’s liked since 5th grade. 

As a not-so-outgoing artist Paige, finds herself in a tough predicament when she’s framed for anonymous graffiti around their school. While trying to crack the case, she ends up having a horrible first kiss with her forever crush, Gabriela, then suddenly seven minutes in a literal heaven with her crush’s twin sister, AJ. 

Definitely unexpected for this film, but the audience adored the pair instantly. An audience member commented after the screening, that she loved how they were recreating this girl meets mysterious boy and falls for him trope and replaces it with such a progressive new tale. Throughout the film Paige gains more confidence, truly falls for someone, and draws her happiest moment. 

There could be more opportunity to see AJ and Gabriela’s home life, especially with them being openly queer in a Hispanic household. The movie is so progressive and it would’ve been great to see how their family dynamic is instead of just hearing about it. 

The twins had a lot of unpacking to do throughout the movie, yet it felt rushed and the film didn’t get as close to those characters as it did with Paige. 

This progressive film spoke volumes when it came to inclusivity. From the use of people’s preferred pronouns to the task of coming out culture is almost completely unheard of.  

We also got to see some familiar faces in the cast, some of which included Girl Meets World star; Rowan Blanchard,  and famous YouTube content creator; Teala Dunn.