A sprawling story of love and loss, as reflected on a single face. Conor Dooley directs “Gold and Mud,” a fast-moving comedy that shifts from moment-to-moment in the life, all the way to death, of a woman contending with fluctuating intimacies in her personal life and the bleak realities working as a doctor. Close and up-front, we begin by meeting Dr. Ana Fabrega, played by Ana Fabrega, as she deals with patients upon patients, oftentimes with the strangest symptoms. Outside of work she embarks on a new relationship with a partner who, woefully, brings up drastic frustrations soon after their marriage. Nonetheless, she finds moments to frolic independently on her own adventures, roller coaster rides and ranching, that open doors to new optimism. While Dr. Fabregas’s life flashes, and her hair grays, the examination of an existential life trajectory becomes clear. Dooley — who previously co-directed “Observatory Blues” (2018) with Eric Paschal Johnson — delivers a sentimental film that tackles an entire life with huge swings of emotion and banality. -JM. Director/Writer: Conor Dooley. Cast: Ana Fabrega, Colin Burgess, Jo Firestone, Sally Burtnick, Ikechukwu Ufomadu, River L. Ramirez, Sam Taggart, Tom Schiller, Anthony Oberbeck, Nate Min, Brett Davis. DP: Zac Nicholson. Editor: Ryan Steele. Producers: Lexi Tannenholtz, Sarah Wilson. Executive Producer: Jenn Pennington. Production Design: Becca Brooks Morrin. Costume Design: Nell Simon.

Observatory Blues: https://www.nobudge.com/videos/observatory-blues