The 2025 Santa Fe International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for The Addiction of Hope which made its mark with a tender yet unflinching look at life’s most difficult crossroads. Directed by Martin A. Gottlieb and led by Anne-Marie Johnson, the film navigates the unsettling terrain of aging, reinvention, and the hard truths that often emerge when the sheen of ambition wears thin.
At the center of the story is Jo Stock, an actress whose career twilight has left her more of a silhouette than a star. Played with a raw and quiet strength by Johnson, Jo finds herself caught between the echo of past successes and the tug of familial duty when her sister Lynnie (Harley Jane Kozak) falls ill. The film asks a question that feels almost dangerous in its simplicity: Is it ever too late to change your life?
Johnson, whose career spans over four decades, was also honored with the Trailblazer Award at the festival, a fitting tribute to her contributions to film, television, and advocacy. Known for roles in Hollywood Shuffle, In the Heat of the Night television series, and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Johnson’s off-screen work as a union leader and community advocate only deepens the resonance of her performance as Jo—a character whose struggle to remain seen mirrors the battles Johnson herself has faced in Hollywood.
For Johnson, stepping into Jo’s shoes was more than just another role—it was an exploration of her own journey through an industry that often treats older women as afterthoughts. “Jo’s professional life was closely paralleling my life in this business,” she said. “The pressure to ‘stay relevant’ is even more daunting when women reach a particular age. My inspiration came from my own experiences and of others who have a shared life experience of society making us feel, and in some cases, actually be, invisible and irrelevant.”
Gottlieb’s inspiration for the film stemmed from a similar place of introspection. “I seem to be preoccupied with getting older because it’s a recurring theme in my writing,” he said. His approach was influenced by Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea, which he describes as having “a beautiful sadness that resolves in a very hopeful way.” That delicate balance between sorrow and renewal became the emotional backbone of The Addiction of Hope.
What makes The Addiction of Hope resonate is its ability to translate deeply personal narratives into something universally felt. Gottlieb’s direction leans heavily on honesty, allowing the film’s quieter moments to speak volumes. “If it’s honest, they relate and respond. If it’s false, they get taken out of the story,” he said.
The film’s deliberate pacing is a deliberate choice. “We had a deliberate, slow, and honest pacing that let the characters breathe in the moments,” Gottlieb explained. “When earned, I love allowing moments the time they deserve on screen.” Cinematographer David Marroquin mirrored this restraint, keeping the camera mostly still to underscore the film’s reflective tone. “There were only three instances where the camera was not on ‘sticks,’ and that was to fit the mood and theme of the film,” Marroquin added.
The visuals also play a crucial role in storytelling. Jo’s Los Angeles home, filled with vibrant art by Dale Gottlieb, serves as a living scrapbook of her aspirations and disappointments. “Her house is filled with her sister’s art. When she goes to Bellingham, she’s surrounded by her sister’s art there as well,” Gottlieb said. “It helps connect the dots for Jo to see she can still be an artist. Maybe it’ll be in a different medium, but she’s going to be creative, and she’ll be free from Hollywood.”
While The Addiction of Hope tackles weighty themes, it also finds room for humor. Johnson, whose comedy roots run deep from her days on In Living Color, used her knack for timing to draw out Jo’s softer edges. “Because of my vast experience in both areas of acting, I was able to find the subtle humor in ‘Jo’ and her life experiences,” she said. The result is a character who feels layered and real, someone whose wit is as much a survival mechanism as it is a source of charm.
The script, written by Gottlieb, strikes a delicate balance between heartbreak and hope, giving audiences space to breathe even as the story delves into the uncomfortable. “Hopefully there’s humor at the right time that entertains and gives the audience a break from the more serious and social issues,” Gottlieb said.
Beyond the festival circuit, the filmmakers hope The Addiction of Hope will leave a lasting impression. “That people of all ages, races, genders realize it’s never impossible to change what’s not working in your life,” Gottlieb said. “Regardless of age.” Johnson echoed this sentiment, highlighting how audiences have already responded. “The consensus is that our film honestly speaks to and acknowledges what many people beyond the age of 45, regardless of gender or socio-economic, racial-ethnic identities, feel and experience.”
The film has struck a chord with diverse audiences, something the filmmakers find deeply gratifying. “One of the most gratifying things is we’ve played to such diverse audiences, and regardless of who’s in the seats, people tell us they relate to so many aspects of the film,” Gottlieb said. “We’ve run into people days later who say they’re still thinking about the story.”
Johnson, ever the pioneer, is already developing a project about the first African American officer in the LAPD. Meanwhile, Gottlieb and Marroquin are outlining ideas for their next film, aiming to bring the same thoughtful approach to new stories. Their creative philosophy remains grounded in truth and a commitment to stories that matter.
Their advice for aspiring filmmakers is simple but vital: persistence. “Everyone will tell you no,” Gottlieb said. “But if you need to do it, you’ll find a way.” Marroquin added, “You don’t need the best equipment or a massive budget—just a story worth telling.”
The Addiction of Hope offers more than just a viewing experience—it extends an invitation to reflect on the roads we take, the turns we miss, and the courage required to forge a new path. The film’s strength lies in its quiet honesty, proving that sometimes the most profound stories are the ones that dare to whisper rather than shout.
With its thoughtful storytelling, textured performances, and a clear-eyed view of life’s complexities, The Addiction of Hope is more than a film—it’s a reminder that reinvention is always within reach, no matter how late the hour.
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