Matthew Pillischer, a Jenkintown native and longtime filmmaker, will premiere his latest movie, “A Fragile Nest”, at Abington Art Center on Saturday, May 4 at 6:00pm, followed by a discussion with cast and crew members.

The 62-minute fictional film is described as a psychological thriller about a woman who returns home after the death of her estranged father in an attempt to repair relationships torn apart from a childhood tragedy. It revolves around the main character’s childhood stay at Norristown State Hospital, a real-life psychiatric facility in Norristown that opened in 1880.

The film stars Norristown residents, many of whom are first-time actors, including Pillischer’s life partner, Rachel Fecho, as Tess, and Pillischer as the best friend, Willy. The production also features Pillischer’s son and ex-wife as supporting cast, and utilizes Fecho’s talented twin daughters, one of whom plays a Young Tess.

“The story came about from elements all around me– living a mile away from Norristown State Hospital, working at the time for a lawyer who represented people who were institutionalized at places like that, and being caretaker for my ailing 90-year-old father,” Pillischer said. “I wrote the story knowing we could shoot it for nothing, and started casting family and friends, shooting an hour here and there over about a year.”

The plot follows Tess as she tries to uncover clues about what really happened during the lost years of her childhood at Norristown State Hospital.

“Tess is haunted by ghosts of her past as she explores her father’s house and the now abandoned hospital that is slowly being demolished,” according to the film’s synopsis.

Pillischer has released two feature films, including the 2012 documentary, “Broken On All Sides”, which centers on the criminal justice system.

For tickets and for more information about the production, screenings, and future projects, you can visit Pillischer’s website.

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Photos: Matt Pillischer