Marfa Film Festival 2018 - Aaron
Aaron, a young man, returns home after a failed suicide attempt. There he meets his family and eventually co-workers who show concern and ask questions regarding his absence. Nevertheless, Aaron continues on his original trajectory.
Interview with Writer/Director Aviva Neuman
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wrote and directed “Aaron” during my time at Columbia University. I made this film because I wanted to challenge myself by creating a slice of life short film that people could connect to without receiving much background information.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It’s a naturalistic film that follows one character throughout one day. It’s subtle, delicate and very emotional. You (the audience) should watch because it’s timely, personal (probably to many viewers) and hopefully makes you think long after the film is finished.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes that are brought up in “Aaron” are depression, loneliness, masking how one feels and whether a bystander can or wants to truly help a character like Aaron. The inspiration for writing and directing Aaron came from my dear friend’s sister who committed suicide at the age of twenty. I became very interested in the time between attempt and finalization, in other words, trying, surviving, feeling as if you live in limbo and then succeeding with suicide.
Many people speak about their loved ones as detached, sometimes lighter, and even hopeful to mask how they really feel before the go through with suicide. Suffering from depression is a complex and nuanced subject, even so, I believe it should be seen and spoken about. By creating the short film Aaron I attempted to demystify the drama and the despair, but simple let us try to feel how he feels, lost.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I went through many drafts of the script, for me it was simply pairing away. Less could be said when working with talented actors. Their feeling, their expression, their tone can stand for so much. It’s been a balancing act between making it clear that Aaron has been gone for a long time, to not quite understanding where he has come from. As the film progresses we understand where he’s been and why people act as they do around him. I love that this is a film when having watched it and decide to see it for a second or third time, do you notice the sprinkled clues of information.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have enjoyed it a lot. Some have been surprised by the ending while others not.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has only surprised me how many people have friends and loved ones that have committed suicide.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want the film to reach as many people as possible, not only those within the film and festival industry.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d like people to enjoy it, to think about it and perhaps rethink what it means or looks like when dealing with people who suffer from depression. To understand it can come in all forms, at all ages and during what would seem like the least dramatic circumstances.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The question I’d like to be raised is, “how can we help people suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies?’.
What are you currently working on?
Please visit my website avivaneuman.com for more information about my work and myself.
I am currently working on a new short film “Swallow You Whole” which is in post production stages as well as developing a feature script I have written and taken through New York Women in film and TV mentorship program (NYWIFT)
Interview: July 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
Aaron
Aaron, a young man, returns home after a failed suicide attempt. There he meets his family and eventually co-workers who show concern and ask questions regarding his absence. Nevertheless, Aaron continues on his original trajectory.
Length: 12 min 24 secs
Director: Aviva Neuman
Producer: Brittany Northcross
Writer: Aviva Neuman
Aviva Neuman, the writer and director
Aviva Neuman is a Swedish/American filmmaker living in New York City. She will be graduating Columbia MFA School of Art in screenwriting and directing in October.
Key cast:
Eli Gelb, Chris Roberti
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
All above.
Instagram:
Avivaspic
Other:
Hashtags:
#aaronshort
Funders:
Made in association with:
Columbia University
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Aaron has screened at New York Short Film Festival as well as Marfa Short film Festival. New screening dates tbd.