Cannes Short Film Corner 2018 - Cousins
Two cousins struggle with their romantic feelings for one another.
Interview with Writer/Director Corrin Evans
Watch Cousins here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The idea came to me almost as a 'download', if that makes sense. I felt in my gut that it was something that I needed to create. The story had a weight to it, and it felt important to me to explore that. I wrote the film, gathered a few friends, asked Maddie if she would do a masturbate-and-cry scene (she said yes) and then it became a reality.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film is a piece of art that was created from a place of love and pain; and during a time of growth in my own life. I hope that any audience this film finds walks away feeling connected to their emotions on a deeper level.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As people, we have all experienced romantic and sexual love in some form. Be it reciprocal, unrequited, broken or everlasting - we have each encountered it in some way. In my life, nothing has yanked at the deepest part of me like sexual connection and loss. This film explores the forbidden, unrequited, and also mutual love of two cousins. Their relationship is doomed from the start, but unavoidable for either of them. I think we've all felt that way about something or someone at some point.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I wrote the film within days of having the idea. I believe I rewrote it only once and shortened in the rewrite quite a bit. Other than that, almost all of what was on the page made it to the screen. The masturbation scene was added in the rewrite, and Maddie is a ridiculously professional and talented actress. She took on that scene and made it so special.
Another fun thing we did with 'Cousins' was our lens choices. Justin and I went thrift shopping and bought two old lenses with light damage that gave them this really soft quality. We had two - a 50mm and a 28mm, I think they were both Canons. We did one camera test with them, and lighting with them was really challenging - but we loved the soft look they created and committed to using only those two lenses for the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Most people who have seen the film have reported a strong emotional reaction. Some have cried, others have felt deeply uncomfortable, and some have felt a sense of deep contemplation. There have been various reactions, but the emotion has varied person to person.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think I was surprised by how touched people were, especially given the subject matter.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd like to share this piece of work with other filmmakers and film appreciators.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would love to have more people see this film. If that means more festivals, or a distribution platform - great!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like people to feel something. Anything. I think, as people, we come to this world to feel, learn and grow. If I can provide a space for people to feel something along with my characters... hell yeah.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Have you ever felt romantic or sexual attraction to someone who it is considered socially inappropriate to be attracted to?
Would you like to add anything else?
I would love to connect with other creatives as well. If you're reading this and you liked the work, or are curious about what I am up to - feel free to reach out!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
A music video I co-directed with Justin Frick (our cinematographer for 'Cousins') will be released in June. It was quite the elaborate video for Karma Knows, a hip-hop artist from the Pacific Northwest. We built a 1970's style Newsroom set and tin-foiled the inside of a building for this one... quite the production with a tiny crew.
I also am developing a few other narrative projects; and Maddie McGuire is also developing a short film herself - I've read the script and it's pretty great.
Interview: June 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
Cousins
Two cousins struggle with their romantic feelings for one another.
Length: 9 minutes
Director: Corrin Evans
Producer: Maddie McGuire
Writer: Corrin Evans
About the writer, director and producer:
"As I spend time with characters, I spend time with myself and I find that behavior I may have previously judged becomes normalized." - Corrin Evans (Writer/Director)
"Creating is not only my truest form of freedom, but also the greatest challenge I indulge in." - Maddie McGuire (Producer)
Key cast: Corrin Evans, Maddie McGuire
Looking for: Film Festival Directors, Distributors
Instagram: @corrinieo @maddiemcguire4 @itsjustinfrick @_bbymouse_
Funders: Self Funded
Made in association with: Red Mouse Pictures
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? We will release it on our Red Mouse Pictures vimeo page and will be available to the public.