MIFF ACCELERATOR - Emily
When the recently widowed Gwen discovers that there was another woman in her husband's life, she sets out to find the truth about the mysterious Emily…
Interview with Director Eddie Diamandi
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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! As a hungry fillmmaker I’m always striving to create films, share stories and bring them to the screen. Storytelling is just a part of who i am. Both my parents were entertainers, so it’s something that is in my blood, it’s in my genetics. When Andrew (Producer) and Claire (Writer) approached me with an earlier draft of the script, i thought it was a great story, and I felt it in my gut that it needed to be told.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Personally I think the message of our film is something that is really important to takeaway. The film deals with the issue ofIlliteracy in middle aged Australians, which is a huge issue that is affecting our community, but it is rarely talked about.
The second reason is that we had so many amazing and talented people come in and work on this project, with the majority volunteering their time and effort to tell this story. We are very excited to show audiences what we made, together.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We worked very hard to make the themes as subtle as possible. I didn’t want to create a film that hits you over the head with the message from the get go. We tried to craft a film that entertains you on an emotional level and then hopefully you as an audience can walk away with your own opinion.
Although the film deals with one woman’s struggle to survive in a world when she is bound by her illiteracy, I feel the theme is a lot more universal than just Gwen’s story. To me the theme that i wanted to explore was about allowing yourself to receive help, even from people that you least expect. We still live in a world where showing your vulnerability is considered to be showing your weakness, and on a grand scale that is a huge issue and can be quite damaging to a person or us as a whole.
I hope this film will inspire to people open up and reach out to others, we can’t progress if we keep going at it alone.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The initial draft of the script was completely different to the shooting script. We would meet every week and workshop the story. Claire did a fantastic job getting to the heart of the story. In the later drafts the characters would just jump out from the page and the story was so clear. Made my job super easy.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have only showed it to cast and crew so far. The feedback from them has been extremely positive.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I’m just very humbled to be selected by your wonderful site and get to share my story. I’m hoping that the film and the themes discussed will spark an interest in the readers and hopefully people to go to see the film (whether during the festival run or after).
Filmmaking is fun, but you are still making something for other people to watch. Our goal is to get as many people to see the film. We just want to share this story.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above, as i said before we want to share this story. We love the process of fillmmaking itself, but the real joy is getting an audience to see the film. So anyone that can get our film out there.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
If you feel something coming out of the film, whether you love it or hate it, I’ll be happy. As long as it is something that affects you emotionally one way or another. As long as you’re not bored of course! (Oh God!…. Anxiety sets in…)
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Did you know that 47% of Australians are functionally illiterate? Discuss….
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Oh man, a whole bunch of stuff really, everyone is keeping really busy! It’s so exciting to see!
I am currently working with a producer, we are in the process of starting up my own production company, Baba Yaga Films. Our aim is to focus and create narrative driven content. We are working with several writers and developing multiple short and feature length films.
Claire and Andrew are also working on several exciting projects including a documentary.
The “Emily” team is developing another short, a “silent” film about an overprotective mother crippled by her OCD. It’s shaping up to be quite an exciting and unique project and we are hoping to have the same crew create it.
Hopefully we’ll have something else to show you soon!
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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
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Emily
When the recently widowed Gwen discovers that there was another woman in her husband's life, she sets out to find the truth about the mysterious Emily…
Length: 14min
Director: Eddie Diamandi
A child of the Great Moscow Circus and a Graduate of the VIctorian College of the Arts, Eddie is a Melbourne based director with a penchant for comedies, tragedies and whiskey.
Producer: Andrew Brinsmead
Andrew is a producer & editor who has been editing film, television and documentary projects in Melbourne, Sydney and London for twenty years. In 2011 he returned to AFTRS to study producing and has produced several short films that have screened in the Sydney Film Festival Dendy Awards, Melbourne International Film festival and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards
Writer: Claire Ewart
"Emily" is the first produced screenplay for AFTRS graduate Claire. Upcoming projects include a silent short and a comedy-drama set in a retirement village.
Key cast:
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):Film festivals, Journalists
Funders: AMP and all our wonderful and generous Pozible supporters
Made in association with: Maschine Media
Release date: “Emily” will be premiering on the 6th of August at the Melbourne International Film Festival
Where can I watch it in the next month?
“Emily” will be screening at CinefestOz at the end of August