Nevada Women's Film Festival 2020 – Jones
Aware that her drinking has become destructive, Jones takes a go at living the sober life. Not wanting to be someone else’s problem, she pushes away help and comes face to face with herself and her lack of control.
Interview with Director Stacey Maltin
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I came on board to direct Jones when my production company co-founder, Margarita Zhitnikova (they/them) came to me and said they wanted to make this story which explores their personal journey with sobriety. I wanted to help in any way I could bring the story to life in a relatable and compelling way. I wanted to make sure that I could deliver on the cinematic side so Margarita could focus exclusively on diving into the psyche of the lead role.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film deals with familiar themes in an unfamiliar way. We don't preach to the audience about sobriety. That's a journey that's personal for everyone. What we do is create a compelling visual world that draws you into what Jones is experiencing in real-time.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As someone who doesn't struggle with addiction, I had to find what I connected to in the script. For me, that was a deep connection to the inner demons that seem to come out mostly when I'm alone that try to say I'm not strong enough or good enough. I think that's something that every single person can identify with. If you struggle with alcoholism or other forms of addiction you'll be able to relate to the film. If you don't, you'll relate to the constant struggle of trying to escape whatever your personal demons are.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script initially didn't include the big fight between Jones and Manny where Jones is left alone in an alley. After we filmed the rest of the script we realized that the story was missing something tangible to hold onto from Jones' past to really hold onto and understand what brought her to where she is now. We went back and shot that scene, mostly using improv a few weeks after the initial shoot and I'm so happy that we did.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have really responded to the film and the way it deals with issues. We hear over and over that it's surprising how unpreachy it is since many films that deal with addiction have a moralistic point of view. People have also really loved the sparks of humor that come through in a relatively dark story. This balance of dark and funny is something I try to use in all of my films since I think realistically life is a lot of both. We've also had a lot of positive feedback to the more magical sequences that take place in Jones' mind. This is one of my favorite parts of the film so I'm so glad people like that!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's really just been fun to have people be able to see the film and talk to them about how inner demons affect us all, addiction or not. People across the spectrum can see themselves in this character which has been the best surprise of all. You always strive for that when making a film and I'm so glad that with this story we were able to do that.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Margarita and I have been developing our content with our production company Besties Make Movies and we're always striving to create on different levels. The more people who are able to be exposed to our work means we can continue to build our audience and create female-driven, provocative content.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Definitely film festival directors! We've had an amazing run with Jones so far and would love to continue spreading the film across the world. We're currently in post-production on our feature film Triple Threat that I wrote/directed and Margarita starred in/produced and we're looking for sales agents/buyers/distributors for that film so if you like our style then we would love to chat about our longer-form project!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We'd like Jones to impact people who struggle with inner demons to know that the journey isn't necessarily a conclusive journey with a certain end. Those demons can always pop up no matter how much we think we have them under control and each person's journey is unique.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
"Why do you end the film with no answers as to Jones' future with sobriety?" I love this question because to end the film tying it up with a bow would be disingenuous to the story but it does spark a great conversation.
Would you like to add anything else?
I'm really grateful to work with Margarita and have a partner who trusts me with taking on such a personal story for them. Together we have strived to bring complicated, unapologetic stories to the screen and it's because we have such a tight relationship that we've been able to create a lot of work that might not otherwise have been possible.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We're in post-production on our feature film Triple Threat. Logline: Just as the life-long Broadway dream of three friends is coming true, one decides that he wants to be a father and not just to art babies. With three friends, two babies, and one messy love affair, personal and professional lines become crossed in irreversible and life-changing ways. Margarita and Carrie are both producing the film and Margarita is also one of the stars. The film also stars Catherine Curtin (Insecure, Stranger Things, Bad Education), Mark St. Cyr (High School Musical), and Jay DeYonker (The Borgias).
We are also in post on Appetite, a short film that Margarita wrote and stars in that I directed and edited. Logline: Jack, an aging hedge fund CEO, hesitantly acquiesces when Ruby, his wife of 25 years, suggests they check out an open love party. Thrust into a new world, he is surprised to uncover the intimacy he actually desires with an asexual vegan. That film also stars Jeff Weber and Jordan Bayne.
We're also currently in development on Head a feature film script that I'm co-writing with Jay DeYonker to be produced by Besties Make Movies hopefully in summer 2021.
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
Jones
Aware that her drinking has become destructive, Jones takes a go at living the sober life. Not wanting to be someone else’s problem, she pushes away help and comes face to face with herself and her lack of control.
Length: 8:32
Director: Stacey Maltin
Producer: Carrie Radigan
Writer: Margarita Zhitnikova
About the writer, director and producer:
STACEY MALTIN is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has screened at festivals all over the world. She is currently in post-production on Triple Threat, her first feature as a director. Her first produced feature as a writer was acquired by The Orchard and has been released worldwide. Her scripts have been finalists in several development labs and featured on The Black List.
MARGARITA ZHITNIKOVA is a Russian/Jewish award-winning actor & filmmaker. She is a proud member of The Filmshop, NYWIFT, Dreamers // Doers, The COBWEB, NYC Women Filmmakers, Glass Elevator & Women in Media. She is the co-founder of Besties Make Movies, a women and non-binary led Production Company.
Only two years ago, CARRIE RADIGAN made the jump from stage production to film production. In that short amount of time, she's worked as a producer and post supervisor on short films and music videos.
Key cast: Margarita Zhitnikova (Jones), Lisa Tharps (Barbie) Michael Varamogiannis (Manny), Valerie Laury (Janine)
Facebook: Stacey Maltin, Besties Make Movies
Twitter: @StaceyMaltin, @BestiesMovies
Instagram: @staceymaltin, @bestiesmakemovies
Hashtags used: #womeninfilm #jonesfilm #womxn #womendirect
Website: www.staceylmaltin.com, www.bestiesmakemovies.com/jones
Other: IMDb
Funders: Besties Make Movies
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Nevada Women's Film Festival / Virtual / June 25-28; River Ben Film Festival / Indiana / Oct 1-3