Savannah Film Festival - The Listening Box
A modern day Catholic priest makes an unusual discovery in his confession box that stirs up his past and tests his own sense of right and wrong.
Interview with Writer/Co-Producer/Director Westin Ray and Co-Producer/Editor/Music Composer Austin Ray
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Our aim with the “The Listening Box” was to tell a story about everyday people who muster up the courage and integrity to solve the problems caused by others who harbor dark secrets. The keeping and telling of secrets, however, is highly complicated, and who knows this better than a Catholic priest who is sworn by religious oath to keep them?
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’re intrigued by complex, realistic characters, or are someone who is as addicted to thrilling drama series like True Detective, Happy Valley, and Broadchurch as much as we are, you’ll enjoy the twists and turns of “The Listening Box”.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Ah, this question makes us excited because The Listening Box is specifically about the intersection of personal and universal themes. The film’s premise explores the dichotomies of right and wrong, light and dark, and behavior versus belief. It poses the question of whether or not someone bound by the sanctity of tradition will break the rules to do the right or wrong thing. Forgiveness, guilt, and justice are very human motivations and themes.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
When the script was first being conceptualized, U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson launched the “He For She” campaign based upon how men should speak up for the equal treatment of women. Media was abuzz with stories of crimes committed against women worldwide. The ones that struck me the most as a writer, were those of perpetrators leading secret lives and being caught. I think each one of us has had an experience where we’ve discovered a side, to someone whom we let close, that was not readily visible on the surface.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Audience members with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and religious or non-religious orientations have all resonated with different aspects of the film: the moral fiber of a character, the bold cinematography, or the suspenseful structure.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It’s always interesting to hear audience members’ differing interpretations, because it means that they’ve become invested in the story or characters. We especially enjoy hearing their predictions for what will happen after the film’s ending—sometimes their guesses are quite clever!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Sharing our work and inspiring other filmmakers to continue writing and directing.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
If film festival directors or anyone involved in film/television development are interested in our project, reach out to us on our website: www.raysisters.com
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It is always our goal to capture everyday life by portraying the realism of a diverse cast with more than one language being spoken and all ages shown. We believe films have the power to push society further in subtle ways by representing believable characters in non-stereotypical roles.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Considering the boundaries of morality, legality, and sacredness, which secrets should be protected and which secrets should be told?
Would you like to add anything else?
We Austin & Westin, are sisters. The TV/film industry has brother filmmaking teams, but not as many sister pairs—so we’re excited to help balance out the scales!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We’re embarking on new ventures focused on branded content, and Austin is also music scoring an environmental feature film plus an emotional sports documentary.
Interview: October 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
_______________________________________________________________________________
The Listening Box
A modern day Catholic priest makes an unusual discovery in his confession box that stirs up his past and tests his own sense of right and wrong.
Length: 23 min, 43 sec
Director: Westin Ray
Producer: Austin Ray, Westin Ray
Writer: Westin Ray
About the writer, director and producer:
Writer/Co-Producer/Director: Westin was raised on an aquafarm along the California-Mexico border. She has been awarded by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and honored as a Student Academy Awards Semi-Finalist, as well as produced shorts and music videos that have appeared on VICE, Vimeo Staff Picks, VEVO, and Short of the Week.
Co-Producer/Editor/Music Composer: Austin is an avid filmmaker, traveler, and surfer. Her original film music scores have won a Student Academy Award gold, BAFTA and DGA Student Film Awards, and premiered at Telluride Film Festival.
Key cast: Peter Arpasella (Live By Night, Mad Men), Catherine Mersereau, Josh Dominguez, Katie Anne Mitchell
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): If film festival directors or anyone involved in film/television development are interested in our project, reach out to us on our website: www.raysisters.com
Funders: N/A
Made in association with: N/A
Release date: Next screening is at the 2016 Savannah Film Festival in Savannah, Georgia, USA.
Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Tickets: https://tickets.savannahboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1453
Friday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Tickets: https://tickets.savannahboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1453