#crowdfunding - Mortality of Dreams
In the middle of nowhere Peru, a retired doctor questions the immortality of dreams while attempting to leave his legacy.
Filmed over 10 years, the documentary follows the construction of the first environmentally sustainable hospital in Peru - a state of the art, international volunteer-run hospital, which will provide healthcare for all.
Interview with Director/Producer Angela Snow
Congratulations! Why are you making your film?
I’m making the feature documentary, “Mortality of Dreams”, because 10 years ago the story captured my attention and I haven’t turned back since! If something can hold my passion for that long, there’s certainly no doubt I should make this film and share the story with others. Now, after 10 years of annual visits to Peru, we’ve finished filming and are ready to hire an editor!
We’re crowdfunding to raise $10,000 in 1 month to get started on Post Production. www.seedandspark.com/fund/mortality-of-dreams
The original reason to “why” I’m making this film is Dr. Luis Vasquez. In 2007, fresh out of college I wanted to travel, make films, and not go broke. I started To the Moon Productions and contacted Dr. Vasquez’s tour company that he owned at the time. He agreed to hire my film partner, Josh Gibson, and me to make a tour video of Peru. He also brought us to the tiny village of Yantalo – where the story begins.
In the middle of nowhere Peru, Luis, a retired doctor, questions the immortality of dreams while attempting to leave his legacy. Filmed over 10 years, the documentary follows the construction of the first environmentally sustainable hospital in Peru - a state of the art, international volunteer-run hospital, which will provide healthcare for all.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
There are so many components to “Mortality of Dreams”. First and foremost this is a film about following your dreams, the consequences of such decisions, and what can be accomplished in the final years of life.
It also takes on the bigger picture of healthcare. With struggling healthcare systems and global health epidemics, this story is important, timely, and needs attention. Luis looks for a way to provide top care for all, regardless of one’s ability to pay. We hear daily through news how problems on one side of the globe affect everyone across the world. Luis has created a new universal model.
It is also the story of the many Latin Americans living the American dream in the U.S., about heritage, and returning to one’s roots. This captures a town unchanged for 100 years, held back by government, as it learns to make changes on its own.
And of course the reason I stumbled across the story – my love of travel. Immersing oneself into a new culture is the dream of many. This film takes viewers inside the tiny Peruvian village and its people, and tells the story of the many international volunteers drawn to Yantalo through “volunteer tourism”.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The personal themes of the story are its core. Dr. Luis Vasquez’s big personality powers both his work and the film’s story. The storyline follows Luis’s dream with all the ups and downs that come with such an epic endeavor of 10 years. The universal themes are what I talked about in the above question. “Mortality of Dreams” is about healthcare, sustainable design, economic inequalities, Latin American heritage, international volunteerism, travel, and small town modernization.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
In documentary filmmaking the “script” and story is constantly evolving – just like life. You never know what will happen after traveling over 4,000 miles to Peru, but we’re there with our cameras just trying to keep up with the twists and turns.
The biggest tangible change came in 2015 when I finally was able to put into words what the personal core of the film was about. I changed the name from “Solo No Peudo: I Cannot Alone” to “Mortality of Dreams”. While the bigger picture story is about doing good and volunteering – which the name “I Cannot Alone” conveys, the heart of it is Luis and his dream. In his 80’s, Luis constantly questions what will happen after he dies? Will he finish the hospital in time? And if he does will this dream live on?
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been so exciting and motivating. Since the film isn’t complete, there aren’t many opportunities to share what it will become, but with the crowdfunding campaign people have really gotten to glimpse the future feature film. We raised 43% of our goal in just 3 days, a response that I say is absolutely amazing!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I look forward to this happening once I have a rough cut of the full film to share, and then of course the finished film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The point is to share this story and this film with as many people as possible and to constantly grow its audience, We Are Moving Stories is a wonderful outlet for just such a desire!
Of course with the crowdfunding campaign happening Sept 13 - Oct 12th, I’m specifically looking to draw people’s attention to how to support the film and help make it become a reality! www.seedandspark.com/fund/mortality-of-dreams (shameless plugging)
Also, as a female filmmaker I love the 50% participation on We Are Moving Stories and am happy to be included. This is my second feature documentary and I hope to make a name for myself as a filmmaker in order to continue my career. I believe getting involved in such communities as this to network, collaborate, and share is crucial.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Yes, all of the above! I love collaborating. Would be especially great to bring on Producers that are pros at grant writing and have connections to funding worlds for Post Production.
I’ll also be hiring an editor (with the success of the crowdfunding campaign) very soon.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love this film to have a strong impact and reception reaching a large population connected to healthcare, travel, Latin America, and education. I hope the film will impact those communities to travel, volunteer, and most importantly follow their dreams no matter what age they are. I would also like the film to be received within the film industry and general population as a great movie and to make a name for myself as a filmmaker.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Would say after seeing the film –
What do you think will happen next with the hospital?
Before seeing the film –
How could a hospital be sustainable if everyone can get equal care regardless of their ability to pay?
Do dreams live on after death? (Yes, that should be a confusing ambiguous question.)
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
As Director / Producer I’m working full time on the crowdfunding campaign! Sept 13 – Oct 12th
I’ve already written a script, transcribed interviews, and organized the 10 years of footage, so I’m ready for a talented editor! In addition to the crucial need to raise funds to begin editing, I am also working on connecting to and building an audience for the film. Finding those people and organizations that want to hear more and will be looking for and sharing the finished film!
(Suggestions & ideas welcome for outreach and networking!)
Interview: September 2016
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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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Mortality of Dreams
In the middle of nowhere Peru, a retired doctor questions the immortality of dreams while attempting to leave his legacy.
Filmed over 10 years, the documentary follows the construction of the first environmentally sustainable hospital in Peru - a state of the art, international volunteer-run hospital, which will provide healthcare for all.
Length:
approx. 120min
Director:
Angela Snow
Producer:
Angela Snow
About the writer, director and producer:
Director / Producer Angela Snow is a documentary filmmaker based in NYC, Vermont, and sometimes around the world. She works freelance in Reality TV, often as Production Manager for networks like Discovery, NatGeo, and History Channel. Her first feature film, “World Circus” is available worldwide on iTunes, HULU, etc
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Producers (for Post Production Funding), sales agents, journalists and Spanish speaking editors (preferably near NYC).
Many generous donors. Grant from the Awesome Foundation.
Made in association with:
Fiscal Sponsor – International Documentary Association (IDA)
Release date: 2017
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Clips available - www.seedandspark.com/fund/mortality-of-dreams