The world of independent film is filled with unexpected and genre-bending stories. The forthcoming supernatural comedic mystery Snow Valley, which stars indie newcomer Rachel Michiko Whitney opposite horror icon Barbara Crampton, is one such story.

Rachel's character first appears in the film like pleasant arm candy to a wealthy, ambitious, snowboarder-turned-businessman boyfriend who is a real fast talker (played by One of Us Is Lying star Cooper van Grootel). Eventually, her character, Laura Pell, a child paranormal psychologist, finds her strength as the surprise heroine of the film.

"Writer and director Brandon Murphy (Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard writer) created a bold female character in Laura. It wasn't until we were in post-production that I realized he had made a horror film that was ultimately about a woman coming into her power," Rachel shares thoughtfully.            

Raised with a strong love of storytelling that she got from her Japanese American mother and former actress, Rachel set out to follow her aspirations in the entertainment business. She took a quick detour to study mechanical engineering at Duke University, but when she founded an Asian American theater group on campus, she knew her heart belonged in performance.

Rachel's great-aunt starred in plays with Sessue Hayakawa back when he was Hollywood's sex symbol in the 1920s. Then, WWI was saturated with anti-Asian propaganda, which diminished work for Asian performers in Hollywood. To add to this, Pearl Harbor and WWII happened, and her family was forced into internment camps in the '40s, where her grandparents met in Rohwer, Arkansas.

"I'm Yonsei, a fourth-generation Japanese American artist on my mom's side. And I'm working at a time when people are writing more authentic roles for Asian American actors," Rachel explains, "I feel very lucky as the opportunities that were available for Asian American actors in the '80s when my mom was working were very limited and stereotypical. A part like Laura Pell would have gone to a Caucasian actress one hundred percent of the time."

Snow Valley was born out of the pandemic when Murphy, Rachel, and a group of producers decided to make a film that could take place at one location with few actors. "It was a magical experience to come out of a very scary, existential time in world history," shares Rachel.

Unfortunately, the wonderful experience of making the film was met with a devastating loss. The film's writer and director, Brandon Murphy, passed away during post-production, and it took some time for Rachel to pick up where he had left off. After much thought and consideration, she decided to commemorate Brandon's legacy by seeing the movie through to its conclusion. She took comfort in the love and the memories of his brilliance. "He gave me and the entire cast and crew unparalleled support, and you could feel that generosity every day on set. The love and the laughter he created is what he will be remembered for," she explains.                          

Rachel, who can be found on her Instagram, is excited to continue developing projects that center on underrepresented communities. "The story always has to be first.”

That’s something my acting coach, Harry Mastrogeorge, taught me. He also emphasized the importance of self-empowerment. “As an artist, I think that's the greatest strength to have because, in an industry that's so subjective, if you can be confident in yourself and your choices, you're on your way,” Rachel states.

During the pandemic, Rachel also got to work with Paul Schrader in the film The Card Counter. "I was a big fan of his movie Mishima, so it was surreal to be working with him and Oscar Isaac," she states. Rachel can be found on the tennis court or watching Duke basketball when she's not working. Her love of college basketball is another trait passed down from her mother, a UCLA Bruin fan.                       

Snow Valley debuts on video-on-demand platforms from Gravitas Ventures on March 26. As viewers get ready to hit the slopes with Snow Valley, expect to see a fun supernatural thriller with engaging comedic banter reminiscent of Wes Craven's Scream—oh, and Barbara Crampton wielding a pickaxe! In remembrance of Brandon Murphy, Rachel, her producing team, and the rest of her co-stars (The Fosters' David Lambert, Tom Williamson, Ali Fumiko Whitney, and Paige Elkington) extend an invitation to the audience to enjoy the madness Murphy conjured up in this new thriller.

Rachel Michiko Whitney is wearing a kimono from Colleen Atwood’s Oscar-nominated collection of “Memoirs of a Geisha.”

CREDITS

Photographer: Victor Boccard 

Stylist: Andrea Chung 

Hair & Makeup: Yuma Bastet

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