HollyShorts 2018 - Always
A Mother’s strength brings life into the world but how will she overcome the agony of death.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Angela DiMarco
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Always is a film dedicated to our son, Caleb, who we lost December 30th, 2016. I went into early labor and as soon as he came into the world, he was taken from us. I first wrote Always for me; while I was deep in my "rabbit hole", I found that writing kept me going. Then, I saw that this story could bring awareness for those who have lost a child. I wanted to show a couple in the pit of their grief, and how they learn to live with it and each other.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Always is about the challenges of loss, faith and love. I want others who have lost a child to know that they are not alone. For those who haven't lost a child, this film will show then what so many go through.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Love, grief and healing. I believe there is no stronger love than that of a parent and their child. When that love is ripped away from you, life can seem hopeless and grief takes over. By sharing our stories, the real healing can begin.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
When I first wrote it, it was almost like a journal entry just for me, about my struggle, and something to keep my son's memory alive. Then I decided to make it into a film, and it would also be my directorial debut, so I spent more time on the screenplay. I based the film on our story, my husband's and mine, but I went even further. My character, Marie, drowns herself in drinking (which I didn't). I made it a daughter instead of a son and I was very ambiguous to how they lost their child in the film. I didn't want this film to just be about losing a baby during pregnancy, it's for anyone who has ever lost a child.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Overwhelmingly positive feedback. Hundreds of people have written me, came up to me after our SIFF 2018 premiere and they all say "thank you". It was – and still is – so shocking to me how many people have lost a child and yet never talk about it. Especially those who lost a baby during their pregnancy, we are "taught" to keep quiet. I want to give a voice to all the stories that have been silenced. I also had the honor of being interviewed by Bill Radke on KUOW in Seattle during our SIFF premiere. That interview reached so many listeners, and it was an incredible experience. My husband and I also had a wonderful interview with Nancy Guppy on Opening Night of SIFF on the Red Carpet.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has inspired me and encouraged me to keep sharing my story, which I think gives others power to tell theirs.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To continue to share a story that will hopefully make others share theirs and know that they are not the only ones.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We had our international premiere in the Short Film Corner in Cannes, and then our US premiere in SIFF, up next is Hollyshorts Film Festival. After that, we have a couple more festivals and then I would like to put Always on a streaming platform so it can be seen in places I couldn't reach.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
A positive impact that will help others learn how to live with their grief. I don't think we ever get "through it", but we do need to learn how to embrace it and keep moving forward with it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What would you do if you lost your child?
Would you like to add anything else?
I would like us all to stop using the word "miscarriage". As you may have noticed, I don't use it and I never will. I also think the schooling to "teach" men and women to be quiet until a certain amount months along is ridiculous. I was well past that point and still lost our son. I started a support group called Caio Bella, and most of the women in my group lost their babies well after that "safe mark". Caleb was not the only baby I lost; I lost three babies, two before Caleb. I think it is unfair we label women, like me, as a mishap instead of a mother. Like we carried wrong, a miscarriage, like it was our fault. We are ALL mothers, and losing a baby is losing a baby. Let's stop taking the word MOTHER away from those women.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
After Always, I wanted to continue creating stories about grief, depression and loss. So our company, Mighty Tripod Productions, dove into our second feature film, The Parish. I was executive producer and lead actress and my husband, David S. Hogan, directed (his directorial debut). The Parish is about a woman, Liz, who loses her husband, and she moves her daughter to a small town to escape her grief, but the town has its own secrets and Liz learns she can't hide from her own.
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
Always
A Mother’s strength brings life into the world but how will she overcome the agony of death.
Length: 14:04
Director: Angela DiMarco
Producer: Angela DiMarco
Writer: Angela DiMarco
About the writer, director and producer:
ANGELA DIMARCO started acting on stage and screen when she was 8 years old. Born and raised in Seattle Washington, she studied in a BFA program, then lived in Los Angeles on and off, she has since moved back to Seattle. In 2012, she launched Mighty Tripod Productions and Acting Studio with her husband, David S. Hogan. Always is Angela's directorial debut, she has produced 19 films, and continues to create projects with strong female characters. Up next is MTP's second feature film, The Parish, which Angela was executive producer and the lead actress. The Parish also stars Bill Oberst Jr., Sara Coates and teenage actress, Sanae Loutsis.
Key cast: Angela DiMarco (Marie), David S. Hogan (Scott) and Madelyn Grace (Grace).
Looking for: a streaming platform for Always after festival run.
Facebook: Always Film
Twitter: @ImAngelaDiMarco AND @MightyTripod
Instagram: @ImAngelaDiMarco AND @MightyTripod
Other: AngelaDiMarco.com AND MightyTripod.com
Funders: Angela DiMarco
Made in association with: Mighty Tripod Productions
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hollyshorts Film Festival on August 12th at Noon in the WA Screening Block