A lonely man goes to the pet story and buys a tiny man in a cage.

Interview with Director/Producer Jessica Sanders

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I read Aimee Bender’s short story (which the film is based on) 13 years ago, and have been obsessed with it ever since. In a short amount of time, the story traverses through funny, dark and sad moods, and explores the human themes of loneliness, desire, power and the abuse of power, with deeply memorable and striking images (a tiny man in a cage and a tiny world). I loved it.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The film explores themes of power and its abuse in a highly unexpected and creative way.
It’s beautifully and artfully made. The performances by Simon Helberg and Brett Gelman are excellent and it’s a story you’ve never seen before.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I worked with Screenwriter Joanne Giger who adapted the story. We started 6 years ago. I think she did a great job capturing the emotions and narrative of the original story.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year and got an incredible amount of press, I think particularly because the themes of the film – power and the abuse of power - are very timely right now.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I love that the work is being seen and so happy that people are connecting with it!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The film was financed by Refinery29 and TNT’s Shatterbox Film Series to support female directors. I could not have made this film without their support and several generous Executive Producers who helped support this art film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I feel that the film’s themes, and characters – who is a “big man” and what “big man behavior” is – is quite relevant to what’s happening in our world/politics today. Mostly, I hope that people enjoy the film and go on a journey they didn’t expect to go on at first glance.

Would you like to add anything else?

I was surrounded by an incredible creative team who helped me realize this film – Screenwriter Joanne Giger, Producer Louise Shore, Visual Effects Supervisor Eva Flodstrom, Production Designer Justin Trask, Cinematographer Brett Pawlak, Composer Pedro Bromfman, Editors Claudia Castello and Stephen Berger, Costume Designer Shirley Kurata. It was a dream-come-true team.

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

End of the Line

A lonely man goes to the pet story and buys a tiny man in a cage.

Length: 14:30 min

Director: Jessica Sanders

Producer: Jessica Sanders, Louise Shore

Screenwriter: Joanne Giger

Writer: Aimee Bender

Key cast: Simon Helberg, Brett Gelman, Vivian Bang, Kate Micucci

Facebook: End of the Line Short Film

Instagram: @endofthelineshortfilm

Official Website: https://www.endofthelineshortfilm.com

Funders: Refinery29 and TNT’s Shatterbox Film Series

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? The film is doing the festival circuit now and will premiere on TNT and Refinery29 later this year.