
This tale came into my life at a particularly poignant moment, as I encountered it in April 2020, when the lockdown due to the pandemic was a mere month old. Starting a narrative that seemed to depict a global catastrophe with no explanations, only escalating unease and despair … it struck a chord, making me hesitant to continue reading. I wondered if I could bear it. It felt as though, “The world is ending right outside the window — I don’t need more anxiety.” But I’m grateful I persevered because by the end of it, I was astounded to find myself transported from that bleak state into a realm of hope, gratitude, and joy. It was a profound reevaluation of many aspects of my life. I wept, not tears of sadness, but tears of emotion, so moved was I by the story. As I set it down, I thought, “If this story could guide me through such a journey from where I started reading … If I could bring it to life as a film that could offer solace to one person at a time when they need it most, what an extraordinary opportunity.” I wrote to Steve immediately after finishing, expressing my feelings and desire to adapt the story if he would entrust it to me. Although it took years to come to fruition, I wanted this movie to exist for future generations, knowing that they too might find solace in it. What astounds me is that the first act still resonates more deeply with me now than it did in 2020, something I didn’t think was possible. I feel as though there will always be a time when such cycles of despair and anxiety persist. A tale like this is rare and precious to me. I wasn’t focused on genre or anything else. It simply moved me so much that I felt compelled to bring it to life.