The highly anticipated dark comedy ‘Transcending’ has officially wrapped principal photography in Kansas City, Missouri, with acclaimed standup comedian and actor Tone Bell confirmed in the lead role. This unique narrative promises to deliver both poignant humor and a fresh perspective on love and loss, drawing viewers into its intriguing premise as a major film production event.
Bell portrays a struggling artist grappling with a painful breakup from his wife, a DJ, who unexpectedly leaves him. In a bid to mend his broken heart and perhaps reignite his creative spark, his sister, played by the versatile Nicole Byer, encourages a restorative getaway to a serene bed-and-breakfast in the Midwest, setting the stage for the Transcending film‘s central conflict.
This journey leads him to a remote farmhouse in rural Kansas City, Missouri, a critical setting for the unfolding narrative of this dark comedy. Here, he encounters his intriguing and eccentric host, a hot young widow and successful best-selling author portrayed by Raleigh Cain, whose dynamic presence promises to be a central force in the film’s comedic and dramatic elements.
Despite an undeniable and immediate chemistry between the two leads, their budding connection is profoundly complicated by a peculiar belief held by Cain’s character: she is convinced that her late husband’s soul has ‘transcended’ into the very walls of her home, leading her to profess an unwavering love for the house itself. This unusual premise forms the core of the dark comedy‘s unique narrative.
The stellar ensemble cast further enhances the Transcending film, featuring Kirby Howell-Baptiste, known for her roles in ‘The Good Place’ and ‘Barry,’ alongside Nicole Byer from ‘Nailed It!’ and ‘Grand Crew,’ and veteran actor Pete Gardner. Each brings their distinct comedic and dramatic talents to this promising dark comedy.
For Raleigh Cain, a Kansas City MO native, the film production of ‘Transcending’ marked a significant homecoming. Beyond her leading on-screen performance, Cain also makes her debut as a feature screenwriter with this project, adding another layer of depth to her involvement and highlighting local talent contributing to the burgeoning film scene in Kansas City MO.
The Transcending film is a low-budget independent production, helmed by producers Paige Blankenship and Courtney Tait. Its successful realization was significantly bolstered by leveraging both the Missouri Film Office transferable tax credit and the Kansas City Film Office tax rebate for financing, showcasing a strategic approach to independent cinema.
This strategic financial planning highlights a growing trend, as ‘Transcending’ joins a raft of film productions increasingly drawn to Kansas City MO by its attractive new tax incentives. Notable projects like the fourth season of ‘Queer Eye’ and Paul Schrader’s upcoming picture ‘Oh, Canada’ have similarly chosen the city, affirming its emerging status as a viable and supportive hub for the industry, especially for independent productions starring talents like Tone Bell.
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