HollyShorts - The Mother
When a hardened widow receives an unexpected visit, she is given the chance to shed light on her husband's death.
Interview with Writer/Director Paolo Monico
*
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
THE MOTHER is dedicated to the memory of Sandro Monico, my father. He passed away in 2002 from mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Strange to say, he never worked with asbestos. He was an accountant in a big corporation. And even though I know there was asbestos where he worked, I’ve never been able to prove any connection. My father was an accountant with a High School degree and a 9 to 5 job. But, more than anything, he loved movies. He showed me the beauty of filmmaking since I was a little kid, and, more than any other person, he encouraged me to pursue my career. He was my biggest fan.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you love blurred lines, if you don’t like being spoon-fed with all the answers and prefer to find your own instead, if you think that films, just like life itself, can be poignant and funny at the same time, and if you think that, in general, the "truth" is just the space between two people’s perceptions (and probably neither one is accurate), well, then you might probably enjoy this tiny little film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The theme of loss obviously plays a big part. But I like to see the short as a film about acceptance. The two are definitely connected. But acceptance is probably the hardest thing we can go through as human beings. It’s a theme that it’s hard to explore but it’s definitely worth it. And definitely a universal one.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The first draft revolved around different characters. Initially, I wanted to explore the different levels of grievance inside a dysfunctional family, but I quickly found out that if I would have focused on one single character, exploring her contradictions and all the different layers of her emotional journey, I would have served the theme and the story in a more subtle and complex way.
The biggest change is always from production to editing though. It’s fascinating to see how your story and your characters are actually “completed” in the editing room and not on set. I think that each step of the filmmaking process is an exploration. Your vision and your voice are already there when you sit down and write. But the rest of the journey is a quest to find out what’s the best way for that voice to come to the surface and be heard.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Tremendous. The Mother has been an Official Selection at more than 30 film festivals in the U.S., Australia, Brazil and the U.K. We have won multiple awards, including Best Drama at NY Shorts Fest, Best Narrative Short at the California International Shorts Festival, Best Short Film USA at the Big River Film Festival, Best Short Film, Best Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Short Screenplay at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival, the Shoestring Trophy at the Rochester Film Festival, a Gold Remi at the Houston WorldFest and it's been a FINALIST at the USA Film Festival. But besides all the awards and the recognition we got, the positive reaction of the audience has been the best acknowledgment of our work.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was surprised! When I started writing the film, I did it because I wanted to overcome my grief and anger. I never thought about film festivals or juries, and when it came to feedback and notes I listened to some of them and I dismissed others. Even though the audience’s response is always the best validation for an artist, I don’t think filmmakers should make movies to please their audience. I started writing because I had something to say that was inherently important to me. I knew that I had to make my point clear in order for people to understand what I had to say. But that’s all I knew! Later on, when I sat in a theater and listened to people’s reactions, I realized that I wasn’t alone and I didn’t do it just for myself.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think your website could give filmmakers a chance to be seen and heard through a very selective platform. Producers, agents, actors and writers are starving for great content, but there’s a lot of “noise” out there. Your website filters and funnels the best short films of today and give them the visibility they need to be noticed by the industry. Filmmakers are all looking for one thing: make another film. And we know we can’t do it alone.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It’s always great to have film festival directors supporting our short and bringing it to their audiences. Journalists and all sorts of articles can also be a great boost for our film. But most of all I think we need producers that are attracted by our vision and our themes. I am writing a feature script based on “The Mother” and having on board producers who share the same vision is paramount.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope “The Mother” will take the audience through a space of bittersweet reflections, a dimension of doubts and crossed lines. This is how I see life… now that I have gray hair! In my youth, I tried to convince myself that things are black and white. And of course, they are not!
But above all, I hope this little film can help raising awareness about the terrible legacy of asbestos.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I love when people ask: “Isn’t asbestos a thing of the past?” … People think asbestos is something related to miners and sailors. When I tell them that Americans are unknowingly being subjected to exposure every day, they look at me askance. When I tell them that the U.S. still imports asbestos and allows asbestos to be contained in toasters, washing machines, dishwashers, and even textile products, their look turns baffled and then shocked. It’s plain simple: people don’t know.
Everybody needs to acknowledge that asbestos is a toxin that the US failed to regulate for too long. It is time for Congress to resist the enormous pressures of industry and push for legislation that would stop the imports and ban asbestos once and for all. That’s HUGE debate. Let’s begin the conversation!
What are you developing or working on now?
I am developing a feature script based on “The Mother” and, together with some talented friends that are creative directors at advertising agencies, I’m developing a PSA to raise awareness about asbestos.
_______________________________________________________________________________
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 MOTHER
When a hardened widow receives an unexpected visit, she is given the chance to shed light on her husband's death.
Length: 11’05”
Director:
PAOLO MONICO
Producer:
PAOLO MONICO, ELLA NUORTILA, VERONICA DIAFERIA
Writer:
PAOLO MONICO
About the writer, director and producer:
Paolo Monico has directed a short film, 25 music videos, a TV movie and more than 150 commercials. He is based in New York.
Key cast:
BORIS McGIVER, MARY TESTA, SYLVIA KAUDERS, MICHELE HICKS
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Yes! Anyone who’s attracted by the content, visual and theme of our short film is welcome to jump on board. As usual, filmmakers need an army to make films happen!
Funders:
I funded “The Mother” myself.
Release date:
AUGUST 2015 (Rhode Island Int’l Film Festival)
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Knoxville Film Festival (U.S.A.) - August 2016
Endless Mountains Film Festival (U.S.A.) - August 2016
Hawaii Shorts Fest (U.S.A.) - August 2016
Action On Film (U.S.A.) - September 2016
Crested Butte Film Festival (U.S.A.) - September 2016
Portsmouth Int'l Film Festival (U.K.) - September 2016