Buffalo International Film Festival - Mismatch and Lighter
A quirky therapist takes it upon herself to play matchmaker to all her unsuspecting clients.
Interview with Writer/Director Mark Datuin
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
When we experience hardships or challenges, we find the need to speak to someone about them. Some may choose to seek professional help, while others may turn to their loved ones for support. Although I appreciate any advice that has been given to me, I sometimes question the validity of such guidance. Sometimes the best advice comes from those who you least expect, and sometimes the worst advice comes from those you trust the most. With Mismatch and Lighter, I wanted to poke fun at how an unqualified therapist projects her own problems onto her unsuspecting clients.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
During turbulent times, it is a great escape to make light of serious everyday situations. Being a dark comedy, this film may touch on personal subjects that hit too close to home for some, but finding the humour in your flaws or hardships can be a vehicle to overcome or at least cope with any given situation.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Aside from the theme of misguidance, this film deals with society's obsession with finding love. The stigma of being single is one that haunts many people to the point of desperation. Are you willing to engage in a mismatched relationship before time runs out? Are you willing to settle for less because you live in a hasty and judgmental community?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was written fairly quickly. The development really started as soon as I cast a wonderful group of actors. We held several rehearsals where each actor was able to explore his or her character, build a relationship with each other, and bring a lot of themselves into their role. I couldn't be more pleased with the how the cast tackled the challenge of interspersing comedy with deep emotions. On the technical side, the music definitely has accentuated what the film aims to achieve. Iain Gardner is a brilliant composer who just totally understands dark humour and human emotion.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been incredible thus far. We had our World Premiere at the Flagler Film Festival and ended up taking home three awards including Best Cast and an Audience Choice Award. Since then, the film has been touring the festival circuit, with stops at our perennial favourites Milledgeville and San Antonio. With 15 festival selections so far, it has been a great journey and the audience response has been overwhelmingly supportive. Audience members tend to be intrigued by and inquisitive of the quirky therapist, portrayed by the brilliant Anastasia Kokolakis.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has been a pleasant surprise, given the dark subject matter of this film. For the most part, the feedback has reinforced how people are willing to accept humour that pokes fun at serious struggles. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how the mind is more twisted than it seems.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It is always a joy to talk about film. If any of this sparks meaningful discussion then mission accomplished. As an independent filmmaker, there are limited avenues of reaching an audience with a short film, and any exposure is welcomed.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Currently we are touring the film festival circuit. If there are any festival directors or programmers that are looking for an dark, edgy, and comedic film, this may be an opportunity to expand our audience. For any producers who may be looking for this type of content, some of the audience suggestions we received include expanding Mismatch and Lighter into a series.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Despite the theme of misguidance, It is important that we deal with our struggles. Having an outlet to talk to someone is instrumental to our well-being. It doesn't have to be a counsellor, it could be your mother. Mothers, after all, know best.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Have you ever been screwed over by your therapist? Do other people's misfortunes make you feel better about yourself? All jokes aside, everyone deals with their problems differently. Opening up to someone can be a daunting task, but it is important not to be discouraged.
Would you like to add anything else?
I just would like to say that my cast and crew were incredible right from the inception of this project. We truly have become a family at MAD Resilience Films. Special shout out to my co-producer and friend Krzysztof Bryjak whose energy and enthusiasm was integral in getting this film done.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently in pre-production on three short films. "SNAFU" is about strangers who get caught up on misperceptions. "Conditional" is a dysfunctional sibling drama about unconditional love and hate. The Women of Alpine Road explores two women whose shameful past comes back to haunt them.
Interview: August 2017
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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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Mismatch and Lighter
A quirky therapist takes it upon herself to play matchmaker to all her unsuspecting clients.
Length: 16 minutes
Director: Mark Datuin
Producer: Mark Datuin & Krzysztof Bryjak
Writer: Mark Datuin
About the writer, director and producer:
Mark Datuin (Writer/Director/Producer): Mark is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and founder of MAD Resilience Films, based in Toronto. He has produced 28 short films focusing on dark comedies and dysfunctional domestic dramas. His films have toured the festival circuit, winning accolades globally. He recently won Best Director for Mismatch And Lighter at the AOF Action On Film Festival.
Key cast: Anastasia Kokolakis, Samantha Kaine, Krzysztof Bryjak, Josh Vokey, Kathleen Pollard
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above.
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MADResilienceFilms/
Twitter: @madresilience
Instagram: @madatuin and @madresiliencefilms
Made in association with: Time Story Pictures
Where can I see it in the next month? Action on Film Festival, Toronto Independent Film Festival, Buffalo International Film Festival, GO Independent International Film Festival DC, Jefferson State FLIXXFEST.