Festival du Nouveau Cinema 2019 – Shannon Amen
Shannon Amen unearths the passionate and pained expressions of a young woman overwhelmed by guilt and anxiety as she struggles to reconcile her sexual identity with her religious faith. A loving elegy to a friend lost to suicide.
Interview with Writer/Director Chris Dainty
Watch Shannon Amen here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It was a need I had as an artist to explore a lot of thoughts related to Shannon’s death. I had a lot of “why” questions, and they were something I was struggling with, and I think exploring that through film was something I felt compelled to do.
Shannon made such amazing art, and I also wanted to show her work to audiences. There was something so authentic and raw in her art; it really captured her moods and thoughts, and I wanted people to know more about her.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Empathy and understanding. This film shows some of the dark areas a mind can wander into, and sometimes you have to look into the dark to see the light. Somewhere along the way, someone or something really made Shannon feel uncomfortable, and this film will do the same to the viewer, and that’s why it’s important. It will hopefully bring understanding and empathy to the viewer.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This was an extremely personal film to tell, and thematically, I think a lot of people could relate to the feeling of not belonging. Shannon goes to this fictional church in the film and that’s where I envisioned her thoughts, which metaphorically and physically broke her soul. I think all humans have felt that feeling of not belonging, and when it relates to something that is important to you, it can be extremely harmful and have real consequences.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Originally, there was a lot of dialogue in the film, and one of the first major notes was to cut it all. That really freed us up to let Shannon’s artwork be the voice. We decided early on, after this major change, to show more art and let it speak for itself.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have reacted positively to the screenings, and also emotionally. You feel Shannon’s presence while watching, which can hit home for some viewers.
From POV Magazine’s review:
“The result is an elegiac film that literally speaks for itself. Jamieson’s art guides the viewer through the complexities of her mind, showing not only her painful battle between her sexuality and faith, but also her playful personality.”
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think that after witnessing strangers cry during the film, I knew Shannon’s story had true emotion. During production, I questioned whether strangers would experience the same emotions I felt while creating the film, since for me it was such a personal story, having known Shannon so well. It’s been strange, but I feel it’s important to tell these types of challenging stories; it helps create empathy for others.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My goal is to have as many people as possible see the film, so they can learn about Shannon and her story. She was a beautiful and talented individual, and I want the world to see her art. I think it’s an important story to tell, and I hope that the film can help to accelerate acceptance of others.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Journalists and festival programmers are super important. I think this is an extremely relevant topic to be discussed right now. Many churches are still discussing whether they want to be inclusive, and we need to have people shout out loud and clear that acceptance will save lives.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
A sense of empathy for your fellow human. Everyone has such unique stories; and as they get to know Shannon, I hope audiences feel her energy and expressions through her art.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can all Christians fully embrace the LGBTQ+ community?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently I’m working on my first feature film, The Ice Whale.
Interview: October 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
Shannon Amen
Shannon Amen unearths the passionate and pained expressions of a young woman overwhelmed by guilt and anxiety as she struggles to reconcile her sexual identity with her religious faith. A loving elegy to a friend lost to suicide.
Length: 15:00
Director: Chris Dainty
Producer: Maral Mohammadian (NFB)
Writer: Chris Dainty
About the writer, director and producer:
CHRIS DAINTY is a director, animator, ice carver, and college professor from Ottawa, Ontario. His most recent work, Shannon Amen (produced by the National Film Board of Canada), is his most personal project to date. This loving elegy to his late friend Shannon Jamieson combines 2D animation with icemation—stop-motion animation that uses large-scale ice sculptures. Chris is a member of the Canadian Ice Carvers Society and produces large-scale ice sculptures for Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival. In 2006, Chris co-founded Dainty Productions, Inc., a high-end 2D animation studio for film, TV, mobile, console, and interactive experiences. Chris co-directed a special 2D-animated episode of the Nick Jr./TVO show Dino Dan and has produced animation for multiple episodes of the Emmy Award-winning shows Odd Squad (TVO/PBS) and Dino Dana (Amazon/TVO).
MARAL MOHAMMADIAN is a producer at the renowned National Film Board of Canada’s Animation Studio in Montreal. Her award-winning auteur films include I Am Here, directed by internet sensation Eoin Duffy, and the innovative mixed-media film The Weatherman and the Shadowboxer, directed by Randall Okita. Maral has helped to develop some of Canada’s top rising talents through the NFB’s internationally recognized Hothouse apprenticeship program, which has spawned a series of one-minute hits. In addition to films, she produces interactive projects with a distinct artistic edge, such as Paloma Dawkins’ stunningly beautiful multi-award-winning VR joyride, Museum of Symmetry.
Key cast: Chris Dainty (Writer, Director, Editing), Shannon Jamieson (Voice), Ellie Forbes (Creative Consultant), Jennifer Dainty (Line Producer), Sacha Ratcliffe (Sound Design), Chris Dainty & Trevor Dixon Bennett (Editing)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: NFB
Twitter: @thenfb
Hashtags used: #Shannonamen
Website: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/shannon-amen/
Made in association with: Produced by The National Film Board of Canada © 2019
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Festival du nouveau cinema (Montreal, Canada) - Saturday October 12, 2019 @ 21:00; Festival du nouveau cinema (Montreal, Canada) - Thursday October 17, 2019 @ 21:15.