Cleveland International Film Festival / Through Women's Eyes International Film Festival 2020 – If You Please (S'il te plaît bien)
If You Please is a short comedy about Muriel and Fabien, a Belgian couple that has lost that "special spark" over the years. When Fabien strays, he certainly does not expect the consequences which for Muriel must follow quite logically…
Interview with Writer/Director Laura Neri
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film because I was tired of the stereotypical way women are usually portrayed in film, especially in such a rote situation as discovering you're being cheated on. I wanted to explore a storyline, where far from being diminished by it, the woman actually came out on top, and instead of being destroyed the relationship was strengthened. I also wanted to challenge myself by shooting several sequence plans with very limited means.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it's fun! Also, hopefully, it will surprise you and leave you with a smile on your face.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Women's strength is a biggie for me. We are often portrayed as the weaker / less humorous sex, but I strongly disagree. Also, the complexity of relationships. From my own experience, I know that I might want to strangle my husband one second, and the next we'll be laughing our heads off about the situation.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Barely. I wrote the script in a couple of days, shot it in a couple of days and the same for editing. Only post sound took a bit longer. The only things that changed were a couple of lines of dialogue that the actors dropped, and which I realised were superfluous since the story was told very easily without them.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far the film was warmly received by audiences, sparkling out-loud laughter in the room. Also, emphatic nods of agreement from the women - which makes me very happy!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not so far, but unfortunately with COVID-9, a lot of screenings happened online, which is definitely not the same as I cannot gauge the audience's reactions.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Would love for more people to see If You Please, and why not, for some form of distribution, as I got for my other short films. It would be especially rewarding for my actors.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love for people to laugh, and maybe even rethink their idea of what a good relationship is.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is moral/amoral? Does it get easier to forgive the other person if I also have something to be forgiven for?
Would you like to add anything else?
I need funds to make my next project. If anyone feels like contributing, let me know!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
- A short film about heads of state debating an existential question that has just become very real...
- A feature (drama) about three women doing their mandatory military service in the IDF
- A feature (dramedy) about a young woman being thrown together with the Asian action hero movie star she's always fantasized about as he is at a turning point
- A feature (comedy) about an ordinary man unexpectedly being given a divine mission
Interview: May 2020
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
If You Please (S'il te plaît bien)
If You Please is a short comedy about Muriel and Fabien, a Belgian couple that has lost that "special spark" over the years. When Fabien strays, he certainly does not expect the consequences which for Muriel must follow quite logically...
Length: 8:40
Director: Laura Neri
Producer: Laura Neri
Writer: Laura Neri
About the writer, director and producer:
Born in Belgium, Greek-Italian LAURA NERI studied with Palme d’Or winner Luc Dardenne, then got an MFA in Film Directing from USC. Her 1st feature Kill the Habit (Best Feature Director, LA Femme Film Festival) premiered at Cinequest. Her shorts have screened at festivals worldwide, earning numerous awards and a production grant from the Greek public television. Her screenplays have been selected for several prestigious screenwriting labs. (eQuinoxe Europe, MFI Script to Film, Stowe Story Lab.)
Key cast: Edwige Baily (Muriel), Julien De Broeyer (Fabien), Olivier Prémel (Leo), Orphée Joseph (Delphine), Théa Oschinsky (teenager)
Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, journalists, buyers
Facebook: Laura Neri, If You Please (S'il te plaît bien)
Twitter: @lagarida
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Next up: Sunscreen Film Festival (postponed to the Fall, dates TBD).