Bigfork Independent Film Festival / Poppy Jasper Film Festival 2019 – I Am Still Here
John is home, where home has always been, where a way of life found a place to live. At ninety-one-years-old, without children to inherit the ranch, he is forced to ask himself the question: What will become of his land and his legacy?
Interview with Director Cynthia Matty-Huber
Watch I Am Still Here here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Fascinated by the rugged Montana landscape and the harsh lifestyle that ranching entails, I spent the past year documenting one elderly cattle rancher. John Hoiland is a living icon of a time when ranching thrived. His story is rooted in a deep connection to the land, his family, and a bygone era. I Am Still Here starts to tell John's story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film reveals the dilemma faced by many American ranchers on valuable lands who can no longer pass their property on to their descendants. Through the eyes of other Montana ranchers, this film sheds light on the system that increasingly forces families off lands they have tended for generations. John Hoiland is a living testament to a time when ranching thrived. His story, one of deep connection to the land, his ancestors, and a remarkable era in the American West deserves to be remembered.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film’s quiet, intimate moments convey strength and perseverance that speaks to the deep respect John has for his way of life. Though the life of John is disappearing, John remembers an enduring legacy. His story, a portrait of those that built the West, deserves to be remembered.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
John continues to trust me to tell his story: of living on the West Boulder, surrounded by famous and wealthy landowners who do not think like a long time resident of the West Boulder and who allow other access to their land as John does.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have received great feedback for this short, advising me that this is a story that should be told. Comments such as beautifully and visually filmed.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One surprize was a suggestion that I might make this a fiction film and bring a twist to the film. The current film I am finishing has a twist, but remains a true story.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am in need of a producer, as a first-time filmmaker I know what I want to say, film, but how I get this film to the public is something I need help with.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A producer, agents, distributors, those who can help me get this film seen.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To feel the rugged life this rancher endures, barely getting by, at the mercy of the elements, the cost of raising healthy animals a constant threat; to wonder what keeps him going. This film is a testament to these hardscrabble individuals who sacrifice their lives to the western landscape.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What will happen to John's land when he dies, as he never married and has no heirs.
Would you like to add anything else?
I am intrigued by ranchers who dig their life’s work out of the land, day in and day out, 365 days a year. He never married. His parents died, leaving John to move relentlessly from one chore to the next until daylight is gone.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working constantly with John, and hope this leads to a feature film.
Interview: March 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
I Am Still Here
John is home, where home has always been, where a way of life found a place to live. At ninety-one-years-old, without children to inherit the ranch, he is forced to ask himself the question: What will become of his land and his legacy?
Length: 15:00
Director: Cynthia Matty-Huber
Writer: Cynthia Matty-Huber
About the writer, director and producer:
Raised north of Boston, in New Hampshire I discovered early on a love for photography and film. Not content to admire, I wanted to make films. To that end, I obtained a BA in film/photography and I'm finishing my MFA in Film/Science from MSU-Bozeman.
Key cast: John Hoiland (himself)
Looking for: distributors, producers, buyers
Facebook: Where Home Has Always Been
Twitter: @cynthia7matty
Instagram: @cynthia.kmf
Hashtags used: #Montana #Rancher #aging
Website: crmattyfilms.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: Self-funded, indiegogo, kickstarter
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Festivals to be announced shortly