Hot Docs Forum: ‘Heaven Through the Back Door’ Explores an Unconventional Friendship in Unconventional Ways

variety.com:

Christopher Vourlias Artists and filmmakers Anna Fitch (“Survivors”) and Banker White (“Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars”) are preparing a multidisciplinary documentary project that they’re pitching this week at the Hot Docs Forum, describing it as a testament to the enduring power of friendship and what we learn from each other in life and after death.“Heaven Through the Backdoor” explores the mystery of death through the unconventional friendship of Fitch and Yolanda Shea – affectionately dubbed “Yo” – two kindred spirits born 49 years apart.

Directed by Fitch and White, the film is produced by Heidi Fleisher (“Wake Up on Mars”) and Sara Dosa (“Fire of Love”) for Mirabel Pictures.

The film is a deeply personal and emotional tribute to Shea, who was born in Chiasso, Switzerland in 1924 and crisscrossed the globe before settling in California.

Fitch described her as “many things to many people: a great-grandmother, career weed dealer, intellectual, psychic, hostess, tyrant, a captivating storyteller.” Their friendship spanned nearly 15 years until Shea’s death in 2013.It was a loss that Fitch struggled to overcome. “I had tried to prepare to lose her, but there’s really no way to prepare to lose someone that you love,” she said.