A young group of volunteers are about to deliver presidential ballots during the 2013 Venezuelan Elections when a group of suspicious warrant-wielding officials appear.

Interview with Writer/Director Williams Naranjo

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

There are various reasons why I decided to write this story. One was, as a young filmmaker, I wanted to explore for the first time having multiple characters and how different personalities affect a story. Another area I wanted to explore was a film driven by dialogue, as I have been doing a lot of films driven by images. Lastly, at a deeper level, I have a disconnection to my roots, where I'm from - Venezuela - and I see how my family and friends are so engaged with their country and how important to them it is where they come from. I've never felt that, I don't see Venezuela more than a place that I just came from...I needed to connect.

Williams Naranjo, Writer/Director of A New Civilization, instructs his core cast members in a final set rehearsal before cameras begin to roll.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I think this film is very engaging from the start. Being a continuous scene just keeps the story moving quickly. A film with very high stakes that anyone can relate to. I think now specially, during the 2016 Elections, this film is very important to watch and ask yourself: whose side are you on?

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

My main goal as a director is trying to unify moral values and society through film and I think this film is a good representation of that.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Well, when I first began to write the script, I remember I had over 10 different locations with lots of action. Then the deeper I went into the story, the narrower it became. Finally, the script was a continuous scene with one single location. It became all about the moment and what happens when you have to make a decision right there, right now.

Actually, the film was also about Ana (played by Shanty Rodrigues), who was one of the volunteers who is trying to protect the ballots. But then when I started editing the film, my professor suggested to make the film from the point of view of one of the officers and the story became much more engaging.I thought it was a great idea.

The cast of A New Civilization are all smiles after filming a tense scene. Cast from left to right include: Stefano Fossa (Officer Gonzalez), Marcelo Rodriguez (The Chief), Williams Naranjo (Writer/Director), Shanty Rodrigues (Ana), Nelson Rangel (Antonio) and Andres Sosa (Alfredo).

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been well received by everyone who has watched the film but not so great in film festivals, until now. It has played at Austin Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and nominated as a Student Academy Award Finalist.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I think everyone who has given me feedback has been very productive and on point. The person who challenged me the most when making this film was my NYU Professor Yemane Demissie. He helped me develop it from the script to the edit.

After suffering a brutal injury in-scene, Andres Sosa (Alfredo) discusses the next scene's motivations with Writer/Director Williams Naranjo. The rest of the cast keeps warm between takes while the camera-operator sets focus for the next shot.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We Are Moving Stories is a platform where films that show issues and concerns around the world are considered important, so it reaches a wide audience. This is very important to me and my film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Distributors, Film Festival Directors and/or Journalists.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Widen people's perspective. Make people see that decisions are all it takes.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Working on a script about a kid and his father crossing the Rio Grande River after the father tried to get rid of him.

Interview: October 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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

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A New Civilization

A young group of volunteers are about to deliver presidential ballots during the 2013 Venezuelan Elections when a group of suspicious warrant-wielding officials appear.

Length: 12 mins

Director: Williams Naranjo

Producer: Molly Castro

Writer: Williams Naranjo

About the writer, director and producer: Born in Caracas, Venezuela. Moved to Miami at the age of 12. Graduated from NYU in pursuit of his Filmmaking/Directing Career.

Key cast: Shanty Rodrigues, Andres Sosa, Nelson Rangel, Jenny Blando, Stefano Fossa, Marcelo Rodriguez

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): producers, distributors, film festival directors.

Funders: Raised money through Kickstarter Campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/407305968/a-new-civilization/updates

Filmed in New York City, NY

Release date: Not yet released to public. Premiered at Austin Film Festival on October 13. Will play again on Monday, Oct 17.

Where can I watch it in the next month? Release date is yet to be announced.