Whether it’s binging distressing documentaries or falling asleep to grisly podcasts, many of us are obsessed with true crime.
But could we actually solve a real-life murder on our own?
That’s a question explored by “Ana the Cleaner,” the debut feature film from Chicago commercial director Guy Bauer. The namesake protagonist is a Ukrainian immigrant and housekeeper who listens to the “True Crime and Killer Wine” podcast while cleaning the ritzy homes of wealthy Chicagoans. When a creepy client’s wife disappears, she launches an amateur investigation with the help of her quirky friends and family.
Shot in the city and surrounding suburbs, the comedic thriller sold out its premiere last week in the opening days of the Chicago International Film Festival. Nominated for the event’s Chicago Award, it will screen again on Wednesday and get a third screening Saturday at AMC Newcity. (Tickets for Saturday’s showing go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday at chicagofilmfestival.com.)
Chicago-based director Guy Bauer poses on the red carpet at the premiere of his self-financed film, “Ana the Cleaner,” during the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival. “After spending 16 years making commercials and branded films, I decided it was time to put my own money into telling a story of my own,” he said.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
The movie is gaining momentum, with forthcoming screenings at the St. Louis International Film Festival and FilmQuest’s Utah-based Marché du Cthulhu event. Bauer hopes it will catch the eye of distributors and expand his career beyond advertising projects, which have narrative limitations.
“My feedback [from clients] is always like, ‘Make it shorter. Less story. Just show the product,’” said Bauer, founder of the Umault ad agency in Oakbrook Terrace.
But “Ana the Cleaner” was “a breath of fresh air,” he said.
“Finally, I feel like this is where I belong.”
Bauer financed the film independently through his agency and shot footage in Oak Park, Barrington and other areas in and near Chicago. He completed principal photography in just 16 days, from late February to early March.
“After spending 16 years making commercials and branded films, I decided it was time to put my own money into telling a story of my own,” he said.
The movie balances a suspense-building plot with character development and plenty of humor. In one scene, included in the trailer, Ana has a nightmare after dozing off to a true crime podcast. But an advertisement hilariously intrudes into the dream, cutting it short.
Bauer said he wants viewers to relate to moments like those in the film.
“The essence of entertaining someone is to show them to themselves, like you’re not alone,” he said.
More laughs are generated by the conversations Ana, portrayed by Yana Roykhman, has with her sister, Inna (Ilana Kohanchi); Ned, Inna’s partner (Caleb Harbin); and Ted, a friend harboring a crush (Connor Green).
Roykhman said having a good time was the top priority during the fast-paced shoot.
“It was like the first thing we talked about,” said Roykhman, who is from Ukraine and lives in Los Angeles. “It doesn’t matter if it’s going to be difficult or if we’re going to be exhausted. We’re going to have fun.”
Lead actress Yana Roykhman, fourth from left, reacts alongside Chicago-based director Guy Bauer, fifth from left, as they pose with cast and crew members of “Ana the Cleaner” on the red carpet ahead of the film’s screening during the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Roykhman said she appreciated the opportunity to not only play a Ukrainian character, but educate viewers on the war in Ukraine – even through small bits of dialogue in the film.
“It was such an honor for me to be in that movie and represent Ukrainian people and talk more about what’s going on in my country,” she said.
Unlike other out-of-town actors, Roykhman said she welcomed Chicago’s grueling weather.
“In one month, I experienced rain, hail and snow,” she said. “I miss snow so much.”
Roykhman also said she was grateful for the city’s “support.”
Bauer is hoping the hometown love will propel the film to further success.
“It starts with Chicago,” he said. “It’s like, start at home and launch with a thunder. What we have to do now is earn that distribution to prove that this is something people want to see.”