ABOUT THE ARTIST
Why did you submit to the Fourth Annual chashama Film Festival?
I submitted to the chashama Film Festival because I really resonated with the mission statement. I believe that film is a powerful medium, and I feel that a film festival is a golden opportunity to expand minds and help to make the world a better place. I really wanted to be a part of that and am very honored to be included in this festival.
How is your work illustrative of the country you are from?
Well, all of the footage and a lot of the material was sourced from the US, so I suppose that comes across in the film.
Where was the most favorite place where your work was shown abroad?
Well, it’s a tie between Europe, New Zealand, and Africa. I think it’s really cool that this little film is getting out there in a big way. I’d like for it to continue to get out there to more and more people.
Are you glad that your work is going to be shown in NYC?
Yes, I think that’s awesome!
What is the best part about participating in a festival that facilitates discussion with international artists?
Meeting filmmakers from around the world, discussing issues, sharing ideas, and discovering how much we really have in common.
ABOUT A RESPONSE TO THE FESTIVAL
What is it about chaos that is most upsetting to you?
Well, I’d have to say the suffering that often accompanies it.
What’s the most rapid social change that you have ever seen?
That’s hard to say. There’s been a lot of that in my lifetime so far. One thing that comes to mind was the experience of seeing how quickly so many people responded to 911 with a fear of “terrorists,” a desire for revenge, and a willingness to give up so many freedoms in the name of national security.
How do you find strength in instability?
Knowing that there are many people in the world who do care and will continue to band together and fight the good fight, so to speak, even in the face of great adversity.
What do you do to divert disaster?
Keep myself well informed, keep my eyes open, keep my back to the wall, and practice prevention as much as possible.
If you could make a community more peaceful, what would be fulfilling about it?
Seeing people experience the simple joy of just being together and celebrating life instead of being in a constant “survival mode.”
ABOUT YOUR FILM
How did you choose your thematic material?
I observed something surrounded by great mystery that had some extremely relevant implications in our world today. So I felt I wanted to spread the word and encourage others to begin asking the same questions I was asking, for there is strength in numbers. It’s not enough just to become aware of something important; I feel that one must then act, or at least spread the word to others.
How do you work with actors? Or How do you choose your interview subjects?
Being that this was a short film with a tight deadline, I had no time for interviews. However, I’m hoping to make a feature length version at some point. Stay tuned…
How did you choose the crew on the film?
I am a new filmmaker and wanted to learn all aspects of filmmaking through actual experience. Therefore, I chose to do as much of it as possible myself – along with an extremely supportive and helpful husband.
Why did you choose to make a film that length?
I kept wanting to make a documentary but never seemed to find the time to just do it, so I entered the National Doc Challenge, which gave me a deadline. The rule of the doc challenge was that it couldn’t be longer than 8 minutes, including the credits. Incidentally, that’s the real reason my narrative is so fast: I had to fit it all in a very short amount of time, and there was so much information I wanted to include.
What is the most compelling image in your film?
Oh, I don’t know – perhaps the image of the airplane leaving a footprint. When I provide several photos to film festivals, that’s usually the one they choose to use in the marketing.
Compiled by Marcina Zaccaria