The Sound of Violet follows the story of Shawn (Jason Treviño), a young autistic man searching for a wife. Despite working at a dating app, he struggles with social interactions and goes through a series of awkward dates. His life takes an unexpected turn when his brother takes him to a party, where he meets Violet (Cora Cleary), a captivating woman he believes to be his soulmate. Unbeknownst to Shawn, Violet is a sex worker looking for a way out of her current situation.
Shawn’s naive attitude and trusting nature make him oblivious to Violet's true profession. When asked about her job, Violet claims to be an actress, and Shawn supports her dreams with unwavering devotion. He waits outside while she "auditions" across town while his family becomes suspicious of Violet’s intentions and begins to intervene. As Shawn starts to navigate the complexities of love and relationships, he realizes he must break away from his family’s guidance to understand what it truly means to be in a loving relationship. Meanwhile, Violet sees Shawn as her potential escape from a life she desperately wants to leave behind. They confront the realities of their lives, so they must decide whether their connection is strong enough to overcome their differences or if true love is unattainable for them.
For those seeking faith-based content, The Sound of Violet offers a thoughtful, if somewhat uneven, viewing experience. The film features moments where the acting truly shines, delivering powerful and introspective scenes. However, these are occasionally contrasted with less effective elements, such as the portrayal of Violet's conflict with a character reminiscent of a 70s Blaxploitation pimp, which feels out of place. Despite these inconsistencies, The Sound of Violet stands out as a worthwhile addition to Christian collections.
As a film about autism, The Sound of Violet rises above the average, skillfully avoiding many of the common stereotypes and overdone tropes often seen in similar stories. This makes it a compelling choice for both rom-com enthusiasts and those interested in narratives centered on autistic characters. Overall, The Sound of Violet is a film that offers a unique perspective and is recommended for its openhearted approach. It would make a valuable addition to public library collections, especially for patrons interested in faith-based narratives or stories that explore autism with sensitivity and nuance.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
The Sound of Violet should be placed on public library shelves dedicated to faith-based films, as it carries a strong Christian narrative that resonates with those seeking spiritually uplifting content. Its thoughtful approach to storytelling and nuanced handling of autism also make it suitable for inclusion in collections focused on disability awareness or films that explore mental health topics. The film’s mix of heartfelt moments and introspective scenes ensures that it can appeal to a broad audience, making it a versatile addition to any library’s offerings.
What is the educational value of The Sound of Violet?
The Sound of Violet could be used in a disability studies course to explore topics such as the social model of disability, the importance of authentic media representation, and the ethical considerations filmmakers face when portraying characters with disabilities. The film’s approach to storytelling—highlighting both the challenges and the humanity of its autistic protagonist—can serve as a starting point for discussions on how narratives can either reinforce or challenge societal biases. Additionally, the film's intersection with faith-based themes provides an opportunity to examine how religious beliefs can influence the experiences and perceptions of disabled individuals within different communities.
What is the pricing for The Sound of Violet?
BOLD AND ENGAGING. A more serious take on Pretty Woman.” - Film Threat
FULL OF HEART. Charmingly quirky.” – Film Inquiry,
VERY TOUCHING. Needs to be told.” – Filmbook
ENTERTAINING Soul-searching and thoughtful.” – Dove Reviews
Click here to visit the official website to learn more about The Sound of Violet
Click here to visit the official website to learn more about other films from Morning Star Pictures
Click here to see The Sound of Violet Press Kit
Director's Bio
Allen Wolf is a filmmaker, author, game creator and podcaster. The Sound of Violet was his debut novel and it won a number of awards, including two Book of the Year awards. He adapted the novel into the screenplay for the movie that he also produced and directed. Allen’s previous feature film, the thriller In My Sleep, was released worldwide and won multiple film festival awards. Allen is also the host of the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast where he interviews entertainment professionals about their careers and how they thrive in Hollywood. Allen has won 39 awards for the five board games he has created that have brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Allen’s You’re Pulling My Leg! game makes a background appearance in Shawn’s bedroom in The Sound of Violet and was featured prominently in In My Sleep. Allen graduated from New York University’s film school, where his senior thesis film, Harlem Grace, won multiple festival awards and was a finalist for the Student Academy Awards. Allen married his Persian princess, and they are raising their daughter and son in Los Angeles.
Director's Statement
A conversation with a friend about the challenges of dating in Los Angeles when I was single inspired me to write The Sound of Violet. Dating had been a bewildering experience for me before I met my wife. I was often naïve and overly trusting. I built those qualities into the character of Shawn and loved the idea of him unknowingly starting a relationship with a prostitute. I thought that would set up a compelling journey with a lot of conflict, humor, and drama. In my first drafts of the novel, I created Violet's character very close to how you typically see women portrayed in movies as the "empowered prostitute."
As I researched and talked to organizations that fight trafficking, I discovered the reality that women in prostitution are most often victims and being trafficked. This realization dramatically changed the way I portrayed Violet and altered the story. It also gave me a passion for spreading awareness about this growing issue.
After I cast the film, I was surprised by the parallels between our actors and the story. Our lead actor, Cason Thomas, grew up in the foster system in Texas because his mother was a victim of trafficking and struggled with raising him. Jan D'Arcy, who portrays his grandmother, raised a son who suffered from disabilities that led others to take advantage of him.
As we prepared for the film production, a mother contacted me to talk about the story because her autistic son had similarly inadvertently dated a woman caught in prostitution. Her son's experience didn't end well, but she was encouraged that I was portraying an autistic person as the main character and hero in a movie. On the set, one of our key autistic crew members regularly consulted with our lead actor and helped fuel how our actor portrayed Shawn. Our actors were inspired by this autistic crew member's involvement and by the women rescued from trafficking who created some of the jewelry our actors wore in the film.
We shot the film in widescreen so the space on screen would emphasize Shawn's disconnection with others and the social isolation Violet experiences. Through the production design, I wanted to communicate the character's journeys, from the symbolism of Gas Works Park to Ruth's black and white paintings to the door to Ruth and Shawn's apartment that resembles a jail door. Violet isn't the only one who's trapped; the other characters also need to find freedom.
I'm incredibly grateful for the Seattle community who rallied to help support our movie. I hope they appreciate the film's love for the city, showing neighborhoods and local attractions you rarely see in movies set in Seattle. I hope our story inspires audiences and leads them to make a difference with trafficking and connect with autistic people more meaningfully.
Film Festivals & Awards
- Romance and Relationships Film Festival, Best Feature Film
- Seattle Latino Film Festival
- Barcelona Film Festival Best Film Finalist
- New York International Film Awards, Best Film
- Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Film
- ICVM Crown Awards Finalist
1 of 5
2 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you come up with the story for The Sound of Violet?
A friend and I were laughing about the challenges of navigating the dating world in Los Angeles years ago. Even though I was married, those days were still vivid in my mind. Those conversations inspired me to write The Sound of Violet about two dating-challenged people from entirely different walks of life who are the opposite of each other in significant ways. The woman is paid to be with men and has a skewed view of love. The man is autistic and struggles with forming relationships as well as physical touch. And he has his own idealistic view of relationships. I thought bringing those two together would make a fascinating and dynamic story and could teach us something about love.
I can relate to Shawn's dating journey because it reflects some of my own journey when I was a single man in Los Angeles. Even though I'm not on the autism spectrum, I struggled with many of my main character's issues, such as meaningfully connecting with women, being naïve in relationships, and struggling with building intimacy. The woman he falls in love with works as a prostitute, which he doesn't realize. I thought she would be a vivid contrast with Shawn, who has a faith background and saved himself for marriage. He resists touching because it's too intense for him, while she's forced to touch others. I thought that would make a compelling story.
Can you tell us about the book?
The Sound of Violet is about a man who believes he has found his perfect soulmate, but his autism and trusting nature keep him from realizing she's actually a prostitute looking for a ticket out of her trapped life. The novel allows readers to experience a love story between two people who are unlikely to fall in love. The main character is autistic, and I mainly wrote the novel from his perspective. He's very trusting, so when he meets Violet, he believes she's an actress when she's really a prostitute. I wanted the reader to experience the rollercoaster of the relationship mainly through his eyes with glimpses into Violet's world.
Can you tell us about your movie, The Sound of Violet, based on your novel?
The Sound of Violet is a romantic comedy about a man who believes he has found his perfect soulmate, but his autism and trusting nature keep him from realizing she's actually a prostitute looking for a ticket out of her trapped life, so the storyline is the same as the novel. When people enjoy the movie, I hope it also makes them more aware of human trafficking while helping them to see autism through a new lens. I wrote, directed, and produced the film. We had a fantastic team of actors and people who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. The movie first opened in theaters, and it was a thrill to experience the audience reacting to all the moments that had come alive from the book.
It was a strange sensation to see the characters come to life on the screen. While the novel is set in New York City, I changed the movie's location to Seattle so readers will have a whole new experience in watching the film. We were able to film in some fantastic places, which showcase areas of Seattle that you don't usually see in movies based there. I made some changes to the characters. Natasha, who is Russian in the novel, is named Nadia in the film. She's from India and is too shy to talk. I combined the characters of Flynn and Shawn's boss Jake so that Jake is more of a central figure.
In the book, I'm able to explore the inner lives and thoughts of the characters with words, while in the movie, you're able to experience the story visually, which brings a whole new dimension to the story. Our composer, Conrad Pope, created a lush score that also helps bring the story to life.
What was the process like bringing The Sound of Violet to life from the novel to the screen?
It was a monumental effort to bring The Sound of Violet to life on the screen. I first relocated the story from New York City to Seattle, which I knew would be a friendlier city to make the film. I changed locations for scenes in the novel to be more visual for the movie. I wanted to explore Seattle’s beautiful landscapes for the film, so I featured scenes in Gas Works Park, the shipping yards, alongside the enormous bridges and different spots around the city that you usually don’t see featured in Hollywood movies. I wanted to cast unknown actors in the lead roles so the audience wouldn’t have any preconceived notions of who they were while watching the film.
This movie is the debut of our two lead actors, and they pulled off stunning performances. I also had to find ways to tell the story in a tighter timeframe, so I condensed some scenes and took out others. I wanted the experience of watching the movie to be different from the book, so while the story beats are identical, the movie’s journey takes you on various twists and turns than the novel. When I write a novel, I’m able to concentrate on the inner lives of the characters.
But in creating a movie, I have to communicate all of that through the actors’ performances. There were several moments on the set when it struck me that the characters I had written for the page were walking and talking in front of me. That was surreal! I was so thankful to be surrounded by such a talented team of actors and the crew who worked tirelessly. Composer Conrad Pope created the soundtrack for the movie, which we also recorded in Seattle with a 54-piece orchestra. I appreciate how he draws out the emotional beats of the story through his musical craftsmanship.
How have audiences responded to the movie?
Audiences have been very enthusiastic about the film, which you can see through their reviews. People have written me emails or told me in person how meaningful the movie was to them. On the opening weekend, we were doing Q&As in major cities. At a Q&A after the New York City premiere, a woman told the audience she’s a former ‘Violet’ and said she loved how our movie was “all about hope and reminded me of the importance of loving people, understanding people for who they are, where they are, and loving them anyway.” She texted that to me, which is why I’m quoting it.
At other Q&A screenings, autistic audience members told me how much they could relate to the main character’s challenging dating journey. Autistic people have reached out to me through social media, letting me know how much they appreciated the movie as well.
What was it like seeing the characters from your novel come to life in the movie?
It was surreal to see the characters and story from the novel come to life for the film. It struck me that the characters I had written about in solitude had become living and breathing human beings. Now, when I read the book, I picture the faces of those actors.
You wear many different hats beyond being an author. How do you balance being an author, a filmmaker, a game creator, and a podcaster?
I start most days around 4:00 a.m. and sometimes even earlier. In those early morning hours, I'm able to work on my creative projects without interruption. I try to work on a project consistently and chip away at it day after day. Then, one day it's finished, and I'm able to move on to something else. Starting any new project feels like standing at the base of an enormous mountain, and it can feel overwhelming to think of what's ahead. But if I can move forward with one small step after another, eventually, I will discover I've made it to the summit. It takes a lot of perseverance, but it's worth it when I see my creative work come to life and hear how what I'm doing is having a positive impact on people's lives.
Where do you find inspiration?
Since I started hosting the Navigating Hollywood podcast, I’ve been inspired by my guests, who have overcome tremendous odds to succeed in the world of film and television. I'm also creatively inspired by my family, friendships, and adventures I've taken around Los Angeles and the globe. I love watching my kids create entire worlds using boxes and construction paper. Their limitless imaginations spur me on. I always feel creatively recharged when I visit museums, experience a great movie, enjoy a game night, or visit Disneyland.
What did you learn when writing this story?
When I first started writing the story of The Sound of Violet, Violet's character was an "empowered hooker" that you typically see portrayed in Hollywood movies. But then, as I researched prostitution, I realized that the vast majority of these women are being trafficked. Or, they were sexually abused, and they're reliving that trauma as prostitutes. I then consulted with several organizations that work with trafficked people, which opened my eyes tremendously. I took a whole new direction in creating Violet's character, and I think it reflects the reality of someone caught up in prostitution today. I also learned a lot about autism while researching Shawn's character. I have a relative who is autistic and consulted with several others to accurately portray Shawn's character. There isn't one standard description of an autistic person, so I crafted a character I thought was best for this story. While I was prepping the story, I talked to two different mothers whose autistic sons had unknowingly started relationships with prostitutes, which brought some realism to the story I had created. While we were making the movie, one of our key cast members was autistic, and he consulted with our lead actor to make sure his portrayal was authentic.
What does the title mean?
The title The Sound of Violet has a double meaning. The main character Shawn has a condition called synesthesia which allows him to hear sounds in colors. So if he's staring at the color violet, he will hear a sound. The main character's name is also Violet, and she comments to him that he should be with someone whose colors sound right to him.