Bandida ~ “A Pistol, a Plan, and Sensible Shoes” (2006) ~ is a funny, touching, 12-minute short film created by Burbank Senior Artists Colony resident Suzanne Knode.
The story of its creation is also the story of personal transformation and the power of the creative environment found at an arts colony.
Bandida tells the story of an older woman who rides a senior bus to a convenience store, uses her walker to saunter up to the counter, puts on a mask à la the film Scream, and proceeds to rob the older Armenian gentleman who owns the place. However, during the course of this first-time felony, the story takes a surprising turn.
First-time screenwriter Suzanne Knode had spent most of her life as a single mom working to raise her kids. After she retired, she was surviving on social security income alone (well below the poverty level), was depressed, had suffered a traumatic accident, and was in chronic pain. Fortunately, she moved to the Burbank Senior Artists Colony where EngAGE provides engrossing programming in the arts, wellness, lifelong learning. The atmosphere was creative and welcoming.
Suzanne thought she’d like to try her hand at writing, so she attended an EngAGE writing class at the Artists Colony. Bandida was her class project. As EngAGE Founder Tim Carpenter has observed, he was simply hoping that the script would be “not terrible.” Instead, he and Suzanne’s classmates were delighted to discover that it was wonderful! It was so wonderful that EngAGE formed a production company, recruited director/cinematographer Ronny Novick and other professional help, cast the film with residents, and produced it under the banner of “Last Gasp Productions.”
The making of Suzanne’s film and her story of reinvention were profiled on national television on the show This American Life on Showtime (now available on Prime; free short promo here). Suzanne was thrilled to watch the premiere of her film on the big screen along with an audience of hundreds at the El Portal Theater in the NoHo Arts District as part of the 2007 Valley Film Festival.
In 2010, she was selected as one of 11 subjects for a nationwide campaign and photo exhibit to help raise awareness of “how people can keep their minds beautiful.” The campaign, “Beautiful Minds: Finding Your Lifelong Potential,” was co-sponsored by the National Center for Creative Aging and Martek Biosciences, a company committed to Brain Health.
After her film’s success, Suzanne continued writing, took up painting, and became a mentor to young students. And Burbank Senior Artists Colony continues to be a good place to grow.
We are delighted to present Bandida on our YouTube Channel!
