Culver City Film Festival / The International Woman's Film Festival 2018 - Café Abundance
When Ashley realizes society has been selling her nothing but bullshit her entire life, she completely loses it in the middle of a douche-y, artisanal restaurant. This story begs the question: does kale quinoa make you feel empowered? No, of course it doesn’t.
Interview with Writer/Director Emily McGregor
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Body image and shame around food, lifestyle, etc. are issues that have personally affected me and affect about 99.9% of all the women I know. I wanted to make a punk-rock comedy that expressed some of those frustrations in an entertaining, empowering way.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You'll see a take on body image and capitalism like you've never seen it before.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Sadly body image issues affect pretty much every woman in America in various ways. Everyone I know has some sort of story. Today, 80% of 10 year old girls have been on a diet. The effect that has on their self-esteem, self-worth and relationship to their femininity is horrifying. How do those themes work into my film? Haha, it's pretty on the nose.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The main characters and general structure has stayed the same but the script went through many rounds of simplification and refinement. In my first few drafts I tried to say too much in under 10 minutes – it was just a bit unfocused.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far it's been really amazing. Everyone who's seen it seems to love the film and deeply relate. The whole audience cheered at our Culver City screening which was a joy.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. I'm really happy folks like it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I’d just love as many people to see this film as possible, it’s a message I really believe in even if it’s delivered in a pretty ridiculous way.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'm always looking ahead to the next project and would love to connect with producer-types to collaborate on new projects. For this film, meeting some film festival directors sure wouldn't hurt.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd love for this film to make the viewer question their capitalist consumption. Beyond juice cleanses and issues presented in the film, it's important to be very aware of how your participation in capitalism affects you personally and the greater community.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Women – and people in general – should wonder why they allow themselves to be sold bullshit. What are ways that you’re being sold to that oppress your mental state? And then talk about ways you can be more conscious in your life. Also, is kale bullshit?
Would you like to add anything else?
Nope! I think I'm good!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Me (the director) is signed to direct 3 features and I'm writing a new short film.
Mike (the editor) is producing and editing a feature documentary that explores Deaf community and culture as told through the experiences and interactions of a short film’s cast and crew.
There’s more to come!
Interview: January 2019
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
Café Abundance
Don’t Buy the Bullshit. When Ashley realizes society has been selling her nothing but bullshit her entire life, she completely loses it in the middle of a douche-y, artisanal restaurant. This story begs the question: does kale quinoa make you feel empowered? No, of course it doesn’t.
Length: 9:00
Director: Emily McGregor
Producer: Andrea Listenberger
Writer: Emily McGregor
About the writer, director and producer:
EMILY MCGREGOR is an award winning writer/director who tells satirical, high-energy, playful stories with a cleaver mix of literary references and dick jokes.
ANDREA LISTENBERGER is a producer for USA Networks by day and a writer and performer of sketch comedy by night.
Key cast: Annie Gonzalez, Ariana Seigel, Sam Weller, Jas Sams
Looking for: Producers, film festival directors, distributors
Facebook: Emily McGregor
Twitter: @emilyontherocks
Instagram: @emcgree
Funders: Self
Made in association with: PenguinCat Creative
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? The International Woman's Film Festival on February 9th in Phoenix, AZ