One Woman Hamlet
One Woman Hamlet explores the mind of Kate, as she helps break the stigma on mental illness using her own story, Shakespeare, puppetry, and music.
Interview with Kate Marie Smith (Creator/Producer/Writer/Actor), Ayesha Abouelazm (co-director), Kseni Avonavi (co-director), Brian Naughton (editor/DP/VFX & sound designer)
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
KATE: I made it for my younger self. I made it so that people might feel less alone. I deal with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and I’m also an HSP (highly sensitive person). I was brought up in a conservative environment, and while it was loving, it was not supportive of my bisexuality or my mental health struggles. I had no idea what I was dealing with until I was 25 years old, and by that time I had come close to suicide twice. I'm not alone, more than 700,000 people a year die due to suicide, and currently, that number is thought to be even higher. We are in a real global health crisis and the stigma, the mark of shame that exists in our culture around mental health, mental illness, and (let's be real) emotions in general is keeping us from finding healing and help. My mental illness is quite treatable (as most are), and my hope is that by making this film folks will watch it and feel less alone and inspired to learn and love more about themselves and about those around them. Maybe it will even help folks find support and lower the number of suicides in our community each year. I also hope that it will inspire other creators to make art that connects with them, without limitations. I had always wanted to play Hamlet as a young person, and now I can! It is inspiring to share my story, my truth, to make Hamlet a woman, and to create alongside a strong female team. I have worked at some of the best theaters in Chicago and had the pleasure to be on set with inspiring creatives, but I rarely felt empowered to tell my own story or to step outside the traditional box. But now, I am living that dream, and it is possible.
AYESHA: Thank you! When Kate pitched this project to both me and Kseni, I couldn't say no. For one, this meant that I'll have the opportunity to work with these strong, talented female artists again and also that this was a topic that needed to be explored. I gravitate towards films that challenge the "norm" and create a participation in a dialogue and One Woman Hamlet does just that. This piece is a unique take on Hamlet where Hamlet is a woman and it explores the stigma behind suicide. This is an important topic that is brushed over and I was excited to take on the role of co-director and open up that conversation, along with Kseni and Kate through the making of this film.
KSENI: I have known Kate Smith (the main creator of One Woman Hamlet) since our collaboration on my short film Jack and Anna where she was cast as the lead. She is a rare talent and we have stayed in touch since then. In spring 2020 when the pandemic hit, Kate and I have met, and we discussed the possibility of making a screen adaptation of her show. Not only I wanted to support her and the theater community, but I was so excited about this project. The topic of mental health resonates with me, and I wanted to bring this important project to the screen that more people would have access to it. Moreover, the show is so original, fresh, and bold that I started thinking of the next production steps right away. Ayesha, my co-director, has joined this project immediately as she also found it fascinating, and our journey has begun.
BRIAN: For me I was super excited to work with Kseni, Ayesha, and Kate because I was familiar with their previous film work. They are all so talented and when the opportunity presented itself to join them creatively I jumped at the chance.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
KATE: If you are curious to learn more about the mental health crisis in our community through a deeply vulnerable story told with puppets, music, Shakespeare, tears, and laughter, presented by an amazing female lead team, then this is your jam.
AYESHA: You should watch this film because "it's okay not to be okay". I think we live in a world where we constantly put on masks around people to fit in. Not to say that it's absurd, it makes sense. We're sort of like actors. We display different personas. How we act in front of our parents is different compared to how we would act in front of a significant other and so on. However, there's a limit to the facade we hide behind. We're always told to be happy and to put on a brave face, when in fact it's more than normal to cry and to feel. I want people to watch this film so that they understand that their feelings are justified whether they are authentically sad or happy and it's okay not to be okay.
KSENI: As a viewer, I want to see more unique projects on screen, and One Woman Hamlet is definitely one of them. A solo show where Shakespeare’s Hamlet we all know is actually a woman fighting her own demons, breaks the fourth wall and where Denmark’s residents are colorful puppets is a project that hasn’t been seen before.
BRIAN: This is unlike any other film out there. It speaks to issues that are universally relatable through humor, personal storytelling, animation, and amazing puppetry.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
KATE: My personal dealings with mental illness and the stigma that exists around them are told in this story, and I connect them to the larger global mental health crisis we are facing today. On an even deeper level, I feel that to be stigmatized is to feel alone and we all know what it is to feel alone at some point in our lives. The themes of death and mourning are also touched upon with levity within the story of Hamlet.
AYESHA: I think every work an artist makes is personal. Whether it's subconscious or not, our directorial POV speaks through our work. I resonated with Kate's piece because I saw myself in her and that's beautiful. I strongly believe that art brings people together and breaks down barriers. And if I'm a part of a piece that helps people become more active in their communication with others, then that's good enough for me.
KSENI: I am sure that each of us have had a dark moment in our life when it felt so lonely and pointless. In moments like this I wish people had someone close they could talk to. Sometimes, there is nobody to listen. Through One Woman Hamlet Kate speaks directly to you and it creates the feeling that you are not alone anymore. Not only this show “heals”, it also shares helpful resources on mental health education and suicide prevention.
BRIAN: For me the biggest theme working in this film is breaking the stigma associated with mental health. What we really wanted to convey in the piece is that it’s okay not to be okay.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
KATE: There have been over 100 iterations of this script. The film was a theatrical production first before it became a film. We had three shows to great success in January/February of 2020 with the intention of touring in Chicago Public Schools through our partner Hope For The Day. However, when the pandemic hit things were put on hold. I had already planned on making a filmed production, then with the isolation and suicide numbers rising during the pandemic it seemed like the right time. I was beyond honored that Ayesha Abouelazm and Ksenia Avonavi, these amazing, strong, and inspiring women agreed to be on my team and bring their talent and creativity to the project. Previously, we had created another stigma-breaking piece called Jack and Anna, so we were familiar with working together. They also introduced me to Brian Naughton who was an incredible asset to our team, we filmed the entire show together just the four of us after being tested and socially distanced. I rehearsed and re-wrote in isolation to create the filmed version, keeping true to the original intimacy of the play, but also collaborating with the creativity and talent of my team to make the filmed version where the audience feels spoken to directly and engaged the whole time.
AYESHA: Kate developed this powerful script and has been working on it for quite some time. Again I was so honored when she pitched this to me and Kseni. The story was so authentic and visually unique. Kseni and I both had a theater past so we were immediately drawn to this piece, but a challenge for us was that we wanted to have this film keep it's theatrical look, but to also bring some new film elements into the mix. I was telling Kseni, “I am so excited to co-direct this, but how are we going to take the power of this stage play and also add elements for the film?” That was a struggle for me thinking ahead. But with huge help from Brian who killed it and looking at the piece now, I’m so happy with it and again so proud to be working with this crew.
KSENI: Since Kate is the author of this project, she had a ready script. The challenging part was that this was a screenplay for the theater, and as filmmakers, we had to figure out how to make it work on screen.
Ayesha, Brian, and I are very visual, we watch a lot and we wanted to make sure that the screen version of One Woman Hamlet keeps its original message and is engaging at the same time. When our production was over, we had a very intense but fun post-production flow – Kate, Ayesha, Brian and I were trying to figure out how we could make it even more dazzling, and it was a collaboration that is one of the Kind.
BRIAN: One Woman Hamlet actually began as a live stage performance. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the show had to be suspended. Rather than have the important message of the play be halted, Kate reached out to filmmakers Kseni and Ayesha about bringing the stage play to the world of film. I was then brought on board as the cinematographer to help craft their vision for the screen.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
KATE: We were able to receive one review of the staged version found here: https://columbiachronicle.com/review-to-be-or-not-to-be-aware-of-mental-health-struggles-one-woman-hamlet-answers-that-question. The stage version had such a great personal response, and those audiences completely funded the filming of One Woman Hamlet. Several humans, many we didn't even know, shared stories of their children who had gone through similar struggles or mentioned how they wished they had seen this as a younger person. One person handed me cash and said, “Please, keep doing this". Recently, Cinema Femme hosted us for an amazing preview of the film to great success! You can read a bit more about us through the article here: https://cinemafemme.com/2021/05/25/kate-marie-smith-and-team-bring-her-solo-show-to-the-screen-with-one-woman-hamlet/. Since that screening, I have had over 50+ people reach out to me directly, offering stories they wished to share and expressing how much the film helped them. It’s been very moving and fulfilling.
AYESHA: I was honored to have Cinema Femme premiere our film and the response was great! A lot of people were happy to see that we were opening a conversation on such a tough topic, but also that we added sort of a light heartedness to the film with the puppets. It made them feel more comfortable and less scared to open up. Most importantly, they left the film feeling less alone.
KSENI: We premiered though Cinema Femme in the end of May and we had a great response from the audience. Not only we were amazed by the amount of people who watched One Woman Hamlet, but through the Q&;A session it was obvious that people really liked our project.
BRIAN: The feedback has been incredibly positive. People seem to really respond to Kate’s honest performance as well as how we updated the format from the stage play to film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
KATE: It has definitely surprised me. Several stories of folks losing loved ones to suicide, or that they themselves are going on anti-depressants for the first time or going to a therapist for the first time due to the show. Even people telling me that they are taking more time for their mental health now. I don't advocate for any particular kind of treatment, everyone is different. It strikes me that folks all seemed to know what they needed, but felt brave enough to reach for it once they felt they were not alone. This has been what is most surprising and rewarding to me.
AYESHA: It surprised me in a great way! I think more and more people are feeling comfortable communicating on this topic because they realize that they're not alone and they have so much support. It's an honor in itself to know that this film can spark a dialogue and help, even if it's a little, beat the stigma behind suicide.
KSENI: As any director, I was hoping that people would like One Woman Hamlet. I was truly touched by this positive reaction we received during the screening. To me, that was a moment of happiness for our team – we all contributed so much into this project, so it was the biggest reward for us.
BRIAN: If anything the feedback has only strengthened my resolve to pursue and tell meaningful stories that can reach and make an impact with an audience.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
KATE: I created this show over four years in partnership with many amazing people. I collaborated with therapists, body workers, the non-profit Hope For The Day, who achieve suicide prevention through mental health education and outreach, and I worked with the artists I respect most in my community. However, through the pandemic all of the school connections and performance connections the film was tied to have either dissolved or are not functioning at this time. It is my hope to find screening opportunities and funding for the film to continue reaching new audiences.
AYESHA: First of all, I’m honored to be a part of an online platform that not only embraces women’s films, but “new voices” in any genre as well. I’m looking to gain more awareness on this subject and to spread the word. We're still not giving mental health the appropriate amount of attention and I hope that this film will acknowledge the importance of it.
KSENI: It’s always great to share your professional experience. Some people can be inspired by our project. I’m also hoping to attract a larger audience for One Woman Hamlet because this project is unique, creative and important for the community as it brings a positive change.
BRIAN: Just that: visibility. I believe this film deals with an important subject matter that a lot of people can relate to. However, due to the stigma that is attached to the topic, it isn’t openly discussed. By having the film be more visible it can help spark those conversations that people aren’t having.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
KATE: We would be open to sales agents, buyers, distributors, festival directors, and journalists.
AYESHA: I want to work with fearless producers, distributors, and journalists who gravitate towards controversial stories.
KSENI: It would be great to receive more attention to our project in the press as well as find a potential Distributor.
BRIAN: The biggest thing for us is reaching the largest audience possible. For that reason film festival directors and journalists would be the number one amplifier. These two paths are the best way for the film's message to be received.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
KATE: Ideally, I would love for the film to be a conversation starter for the community at large, to help break the stigma that exists on mental illness and suicide. This can be done through festivals and theaters with talk backs, but it also works really well in educational settings, especially with the suicide rates being so high amongst our young people. I would love to travel with the film and facilitate conversations post show, to host ticketed and free events, but we need connections to do this.
AYESHA: I just want to bring awareness. I think this subject is just something that is thrown under the rug. I think this is important for every culture to talk about and to learn. And I believe that once we open up that conversation, change will come. I want people to walk out of the film thinking this could be them, their friend, their sister or their brother. The beauty of this piece is it could be you. The problem with mental illness is when people talk about it, they talk about it like it is its own entity. ‘That’s not you, so you’re good.’ And I hate that. This could be any of us and I’m just hoping to bring that awareness.
KSENI: There are so many people who struggle with mental health that need professional help, but they don’t have access to the resources.
BRIAN: If this film can reach even one person who is struggling with mental health and they can get an answer they had been searching for it will make the entire experience worthwhile.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
KATE: What are your thoughts on suicide? What are your thoughts on mental health and mental illness in our community?
AYESHA: Is it okay not to be okay?
KSENI: To be or not to be?
BRIAN: Why do we feel that it makes us weak to admit we are struggling with mental health? As I mentioned earlier, it’s okay to not be okay. There is strength in facing these issues and dealing with them properly rather than avoiding them and hoping they’ll just magically disappear.
Would you like to add anything else?
KATE: Thank you so much for your time and all the beautiful work you do!
AYESHA: Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity, Carmela!
KSENI: I am very grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about One Woman Hamlet through www.wearemovingstories.com.
BRIAN: I am just so happy to have had the chance to work on this project with such amazing collaborators. Kseni, Ayesha, and Kate helped to foster such a wonderful and creative working environment and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
KATE: I’m currently working on a new podcast that will explore the correlation between mental health and creativity. To be released in August of 2021. I’m also in the beginning stages of my next script which reclaims the freedom of the old west through today's lens, a love story with a mental health twist. In my free time I share trauma sensitive yoga for free to the community, for those behind bars, as well as survivors of human trafficking.
AYESHA: That's a great question and as artists we're constantly working on something as a means to communicate. I have a couple of short films in development, but my main project is a feature length version of my short, The Girl in the Blue Bra. Super excited to move forward with this project and to be working alongside my producer, Richard Song!
KSENI: My feature screenplay, working title Seam Line, that I am developing with my co-writer, Savannah Oakes is a primary project I am working on now. Our collaboration started with Jack and Anna, and we decided to keep going together as collaborators.
BRIAN: I am currently finishing up sound design for my MFA thesis film, Making Beethoven Proud. The film tells the story of a high school music prodigy who loses his hearing after a violent assault by his classmates and is forced to face the world without his most trusted sense.
Interview: November 2021
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
One Woman Hamlet
Length:
Writer / Producer
KATE MARIE SMITH
Kate is an award-winning performer and producer in Chicago. You may have seen her most recently in Chicago Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Shrew, or in the acclaimed indie film Jack and Anna. For five years, Kate also acted as the community outreach coordinator and ensemble member for the theater company One Year Chekhov. Outside of her life as a creative though, Kate is also a trauma-sensitive trained yoga teacher.
Director
AYESHA ABOUELAZM (co-director), KSENI AVONAVI (co-director)
Ayesha Abouelazm is a 2017 Columbia College Graduate in Cinema Directing and an award-winning filmmaker. Currently, she teaches film production and directing courses at Loyola University Chicago. Her award-winning short film, The Girl in the Blue Bra has appeared in over 25 film festivals worldwide. She is currently working on a feature length version of her short.
Kseni is an award-winning film director, originally from Russia. She is best known for her thesis film Jack and Anna. She has dreamed of being a filmmaker since her childhood. Kseni has finished The Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography a.k.a. VGIK, and later earned her master’s degree in Cinema Directing from Columbia College Chicago. Her works cover social justice, mental illness, women rights and LGBTQ rights.
Key cast:
Kate Marie Smith (Hamlet)
Looking for:
sales agents, distributors, film festival directors, buyers, producers, journalists
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/onewomanhamlet/?hl=en
Hashtags used:
#mentalhealthawareness #womeninfilm #Shakespeare
More info: