Setting Sun Film Festival 2019 – Duo Impacto
Two women navigate gay life in the hyper-macho context of Cuba.
Interview with Writers/Directors/Producers Miranda Everingham, Molly Harding and Alexandra Nagy
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The three of us were excited by the prospect of exploring an often unexplored part of Cuban life. As you're probably aware, lesbians have such a bad time in the media and have such high rates of death in TV shows (who knows why) so we wanted to redress that imbalance by looking at it from a perspective of empowerment and engagement with masculinity in Cuba.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
For insight into not only another culture but the subculture of drag. What we saw in Cuba was such a beautiful example of celebrating lifestyles and opening dialogue in a very real, unpretentious way.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We tried to look at the universal theme of discrimination through the personal story of the two protagonists. On the one hand, their society accepts them, but on the other, their families have rejected them. New families are formed and people start to flourish again, but as a response to that discrimination. I believe that as the three of us who were directors and producers were all representing different sexual orientations, we were able to discuss the different perspectives that the film brought to light and got heavily invested in the protagonists' story.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We began the film thinking that there would be massive discrimination against lesbians in Cuba because we had all heard it was such a macho culture. When we started talking to lesbians though, they assured us that they have a lot of rights under the law and that they have enjoyed open and vocal support from the government in recent years. So we had to adjust our view to a personal story to understand the intricacies and subtleties of discrimination that lesbians face in Cuba.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received positive feedback on the way the film doesn't try to force any particular view and merely shows the story of two women and their lives.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not so much because thinking about the movies I like to watch, they are usually subtle and not driving home at any particular point.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are hoping to raise the voice of a long under-represented group (lesbians of colour) who deserve to have their story told in a fair, honest way.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Some journalistic coverage would amplify the message as the film has done the rounds at a few queer film festivals around the world but isn't really reaching the audiences that might not usually engage with a subject like queerness.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
That people become aware of the complexities of being a gay person. There are varying degrees of discrimination, not all of which heterosexual people are aware of.
Interview: May 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
Duo Impacto
Two women navigate gay life in the hyper-macho context of Cuba.
Length: 7:49
Director: Miranda Everingham, Molly Harding, Alexandra Nagy
Producer: Miranda Everingham, Molly Harding, Alexandra Nagy
Writer: Miranda Everingham, Molly Harding, Alexandra Nagy
About the writer, director and producer:
Together, during a one-month intensive film program, we drew up a plan to explore the lives of lesbians in Cuba. We come from different backgrounds in photography, languages, film and reporting. We also all have different sexual orientations which gave us a different perspectives and insights in the making of this film.
Key cast: Ana (protagonist), Argelia (protagonist)
Other: YouTube
Made in association with: Foundacion del Nuevo Cine latinoamericano
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hidalgo Film Festival/Mexico - 26/06/19