Emrhys’ Cooper’s Comedic Drama THE SHUROO RETREAT brings into focus the era of the questionable ‘self guru’

4 Digital Media has acquired UK rights to the comedic drama, THE SHUROO PROCESS directed by Emrhys Cooper. The film features Fiona Dourif, Donal Brophy, Tommy Dorfman, Emrhys Cooper, Rainey Qualley, Olivia Sui, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Jeff Hephner, Cornelia Guest, and more. The film was inspired by his family’s experience with Charleton gurus.

The film was written and produced by Cooper & Brophy, alongside executive producers Zachary Quinto and Jamie Moss for Idyllwild Pictures in association with Incline Productions. Glen Trotiner, Lynn Mancinelli and Benjamin J. Murray will be producing as well.

Cooper’s feature directorial debut follows Parker Schafer (Dourif) a NYC journalist, frustrated with a failing publishing world and a dismal romantic life, who becomes infatuated with a charismatic guru (Brophy) and begins a journey of self-improvement. But as the old saying goes, “beware of false prophets.”

“In my extensive research and personal experiences with New Age trends, I recognised the need to highlight the inherent drama of these scenarios; both the humour of the sometimes outlandish nature of the options available as well as the possible dangers of these “quick fix” weekend retreats. The struggles of each character in the film are challenges the audience will easily relate to because, essentially, my message is that change is possible. I believe the self-help industry is a microcosm of what is happening on the worldwide stage: the media is manipulated by the powerful, truth and fact are perpetually blurred, and people unquestioningly follow whatever trend, however ludicrous, is most pedalled on social media,” said director Emrhys Cooper.

The film is the first release from Emrhys & Donal’s newly formed production company Idyllwild Pictures.