Logline: Girl has suffered from a traumatic experience and now she has to face the one responsible.

Length: 5 min

Director: Monique Oberholzer

Producer: Jaime Carbajal

About the director and producer:

Jaime Carbajal is a Director and Producer for various known films. He graduated with a Masters degree in Directing. Many of his own films and other productions have made it to Cannes, LA film fest and many more.

Monique Oberholzer Director of Shameless, is known for her writing, directing and acting. Many of her films have made it to festivals no matter if she performs in them or directs them. Traveling the world to find stories, whether it's in her country South Africa or LA, she is always on the move for something new.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above

Funders: Anita Oberholzer

Made in association with: M & A Productions

Release date: 19 May 2016

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to bring awareness to this subject (party drugs). Not only is this a personal experience I’ve been though numerous times, but I have seen so many girls and boys being taken advantage off, because they don't know. I’ve had the privilege each time I got Spiked to have a friend who would look after me but many others didn't have the luxury I did.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Not only is the film packed with suspense and questions but you as the audience will have the privilege to make up your own assumptions. To know that this can happen to you, and it can happen to you when you least expect it and from the person you never thought will hurt you.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Personally I have experienced this subject matter 5 times in my life. I can say that I was privileged not to get raped, but there are so many other incidences where girls and boys might not have been so lucky. You the victim starts blaming yourself, you start questioning what could you have done to prevent it. But because you can only remember bits and pieces of the night there is no way of knowing.

This happens all over the world and in some countries many people don't even know something like this exists.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Because this film is a short (5 min) and we wanted to get the message through as soon as we could, but not give any hints away, we as the crew had to sit down and discuss how we could make that happen. The original script was shot linear style, but after viewing the first edit addition, we realized that it doesn't raise that uncomfortable feeling you should have when watching it. Eduardo Hidalgo the cinematographer and editor then experimented with the film, and changed it to a non linear (broken up and mixing shots).

By doing this we gave the audience the right to decide what happened, if it's all in her mind? if it really happened? and the guy she suspected was it really him? Everyday of the shoot, we realized that the film and script is changing and evolving for the better, but with an amazing professional crew it wasn't difficult to keep up with what was going on.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The first feedback I have received showing this film, a girl came to me and asked me whether this has ever happened to me. With my response I soon found out that the week before she was spiked and had no one to look after her. She responded: That film showed exactly how I felt the day after and when I waking up alone in my hotel room I still went to the hospital just to make sure that nothing more happened to me.

With luck she was okay. Most women and a few men have contacted me after viewing the film, and told me about their stories. They all feel that this subject needs to be addressed and shown to the world, so we can prevent any other incidents.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I would say the feedback that surprised me the most were from men being spiked. But because there are so many stories out there, it motivates me. I’m currently writing the whole script to either make it a feature film or change it into a series. It just shows me that someone needs to address this matter and try to make a change.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

If I could bring awareness to this subject or help someone who does not know what happened to them, make them understand they are not alone. If we do decide to change it into a feature film I would love to get some investors. Send it to various festivals and show it internationally. This film is not only to entertain you, but also to make you realize that you need to be careful.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

For this film I believe all the above will work to amplify the message. And by having people talk about the short, it will only bring more viewers to the feature.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Even if it has a positive or negative impact on the viewer, my main goal is for people to talk about the subject.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I want the audience to question what they saw is real or not.

Would you like to add anything else?

Statistics say that when you have been (roofied) or spiked, it takes 15-30 min to take effect, and only several hours to leave your system. Sadly when people file for a sexual assault, there is little to no evidence supporting that it actually happened, because of the drug that already left their system.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

A philological thriller that will be shot in Los Angeles

A rom-com (romantic comedy) that will take place in South Africa.

And Shameless the feature film.