Under the Rainbow

Set in 1938, on the eve of World War II, the period captures late-Depression-era life and the rising tensions of the pre-war world. Hollywood's studio culture is in full swing, a time of big productions and political undercurrents. The story threads through back-stage politics, celebrity life, and the dream factory that defined the era. The narrative’s dream structure refracts these times through a fantastical lens.

The story shifts between a Kansas homeless shelter and a hotel in Culver City, California, near the MGM Studios. Kansas provides the gritty, hopeful backdrop of a Depression-era dreamer on the edge of the film world. Culver City serves as the glamorous yet chaotic hub of the movie industry, with the hotel hosting a diverse cast of guests and crew. The backdrop also spans the studio lot where productions for the era unfold.

🎭 Illusion

The film centers on how appearances and identities can be deceptive, with characters masquerading within a dreamlike hotel world. The line between reality and performance blurs as misidentified signals propel the plot. When the story reveals itself as a dream from a Kansas shelter, the illusion lands with a quiet, poignant truth.

🌟 Dream of Fame

A Hollywood dream drives the characters, pushing them to be seen, chosen, or rescued from hardship. The hotel guests, crew, and little people populate a world built on spectacle and recognition. The pursuit of fame exposes both aspiration and vulnerability, showing how fame can elevate or distort lives.

⚔️ Conflict & Intrigue

Nazis, secret agents, and a hidden map intrude on the film-world, turning a routine gathering into a perilous chase. Espionage threads through hotel and studio corridors, testing loyalties and forcing quick, dangerous choices. The intrusion of politics into entertainment highlights a broader vulnerability of the era.