Austin Film Festival 2018 - Christmas Green
A disgruntled woman pays an unwanted visit to her lonely neighbour, but both end up finding unexpected joy in each other's company.
Interview with Writer/Director Clara Altimas
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! Around this time last year, my producers pitched me this idea of a grandmother buying her grandson weed for Christmas in order to bond with him. At first the story didn’t totally speak to me but as I got to know the characters who inhabit this piece, the overarching theme of connection and the need for it, sometimes at an unlikely cost, started to come alive and I knew what I wanted to say about that.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this fil
I think the actors have wonderful chemistry and at the very least what you’ll witness is a charming interaction between strangers spending an afternoon together. I think that experience is something worthwhile and special and I hope the film can serve as a platform for characters of an age not often showcased on screen and demonstrate how interesting and complex their stories can be.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the theme of loneliness during the holidays (and all the time, if we’re being honest here) is something very relatable and it’s presence in the film is what ties these characters together. We get to know these two people managing quite well with circumstances that fall into the category of “not how I saw my life turning out” but once their self protecting exteriors are cracked open a little we discover that a little company and connection can make a world of difference. I think this idea of coasting, getting too comfortable in our solitude, and not allowing new people in when we’ve experienced loss is something quite common that can go unnoticed and untreated if we aren’t careful. Maybe this is idealistic but I hope the film can shine a light on the good that can come from being open to new experiences even when we don’t feel ready or up for them.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Well, I think the script began in a place where the concept was somewhat outside of me. I had an idea of what I wanted it to be but I hadn’t personalized it. In my experience, my work tends to really come alive when I find even a sliver of myself in the story. Eventually, as I worked on the script, I discovered the relationships in my life that I could connect back to these characters and I think that’s when the heart of the film really started to beat.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I think people find the film funny and sentimental, which I like… I just hope those lines aren’t crossed, making the film too one thing or the other.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
In a way. I’m working on this not being as much of a thing for me but I think sometimes it takes other people seeing something I’ve made and “getting it” for me to be able to sit back and feel like, oh I think this kind of worked. It’s always hard for me to know at first because I’ve been the only audience member for so long.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I just hope more people see it and enjoy it. I hope it can find it’s way to other festivals and that audiences will feel a connection to these characters.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re open to all of the above but I think the current goal is to festival the film as much as we can so film festival directors are certainly welcome to come on board!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want audience members to laugh and cry. That’s the ultimate goal. I mean, who doesn’t want that?! But honestly, I hope people just feel something from it and leave being like, cool, I’m glad I saw that.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is regret worse than feeling silly?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thanks for this interview! I really appreciate the work you do, giving this kind of exposure to emerging filmmakers.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The film was made by three producers that make up the production and distribution company Without a Flock. They always have several projects on the go. I am currently splitting my time between developing two feature projects and working in the writing room on the half hour comedy Kim’s Convenience.
Interview: October 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
Christmas Green
A disgruntled woman pays an unwanted visit to her lonely neighbour, but both end up finding unexpected joy in each other's company.
Length: 12 minutes
Director: Clara Altimas
Producer: Ali Mashayekhi, Neil Huber, Al Magee
Writer: Clara Altimas
About the writer, director:
Clara is a writer, director, and actor based in Toronto. She is in development with two features and completed the Telefilm Canada Feature Comedy Exchange with her feature script Small Pond Glory this past spring (2018). Clara is currently shifting her abilities into the tv world, working in the writing room on half hour comedy Kim’s Convenience (CBC) and directing the digital series Off Kilter (CBC).
Key cast: Sheila McCarthy, Alan Catlin
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Film festival directors
Social media handles:
Facebook:
Twitter: @altimasc @withoutaflock
Instagram: @altimasc @withoutaflock
Other:
Hashtags you use:
Where was this filmed? Toronto
Funders: Without a Flock
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Austin Film Festival