What if you suddenly had to start your life all over again after not just losing someone you loved, but losing the very person who took care of all your needs? What if you had to not just cope with that overwhelming loss but to do so while learning the ins and outs of being a fully independent person?

Anyone would obviously see this extraordinary situation as an overwhelming challenge, including the title protagonist in the new drama AVA: A TWIST IN THE ROAD (written, directed by and starring our guest on this week’s Viewfinder Podcast, actor Catherane Skillen). Catherane plays Ava, an older woman who’s seemingly set for life thanks to her longtime lover, the financially secure - albeit already married - businessman Bobby (played by Bill Lewis).

Yet when Bobby’s sudden death from a heart attack robs Ava of her beloved companion, it also takes away her equally irreplaceable sense of personal security. While Ava tries to make sense of this tragedy, Bobby’s vengeful son Bob Jr. (played by Steve Dellatori) sees her as a home wrecker who’s destroyed his family as his mother - and Bobby’s longtime wife - struggles with mental illness.

Luckily for Ava, she has the invaluable support of friends who’ve been with her no matter how rough her new life will get: Leanne, played by Tannis Benedict, and artist Walter, played by David Willis. Through many fits, starts and stumbles, Ava doesn’t just get a crash course in personal independence as she attempts to find a new job and support herself. In fact, Ava learns that her best life may be just around the corner.

The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, The Roku Channel and YouTube, and I’m honored to have Catherane on the Viewfinder Podcast to talk about it.