The Awareness Film Festival - The Sun Is Rising (le soleil se leve)
Is there a key to talking about terrorism and armed conflict? A man looks at terrorism attacks at Canada's National War Memorial and Charlie Hebdo.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Lloyd Frost
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Because terror attacks are part of our lives and outside of the 24-72 hours after an attack it seems to me no one wants or is interested in talking about what happened. And the implications.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
So you can hopefully see, that in a gentle way - meaning with the backing tracks 'The Sun Is Rising' and 'December 12 8' instead of a narrator talking - it's possible to look at the attack here in Ottawa and at Charlie Hebdo and open a conversation. Doc topics don't need to be dry and assaulting. They can be musical-documentaries, like mine. Singing narrator, emotional melodies. That sort of thing. A new genre...
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I live in Ottawa. When Cpl Nathan Cirillo was murdered at our National War Memorial I was shocked. I got my camera and went to the Memorial on Elgin Street. Didn't even think why, I just felt the need to document what had happened a short drive from where I live. That's pretty personal, don't you think?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The evolution has been concurrent with terror attacks. And even in post-production, I'm revising the end notices with mentions of recent attacks.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
From the film community, my musical-doc style has attracted very positive comments, both with 'The Sun Is Rising' and my first film 'In Everyone's Eyes', about life in the Castros' Cuba. Public comments? Not so much, like I said earlier, talking about terror attacks is a touchy topic. Maybe this'll change...
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think showing that a doc topic presented in a musical style is an attractive and engaging way to get a message across.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
You tell me! However it takes to get my message out - that musical docs are cool, and can lead people in to places they might not otherwise go.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
A nomination for an Academy Award short film would be nice. But seriously, just to have someone listen to the songs while the film plays and think about what they've seen, that's ideal.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
It's the one I pose in the first seconds of 'The Sun Is Rising': is there a key to talking about terrorism and armed conflict?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Oh, maybe an animated film for children. Something like that.
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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The Sun Is Rising (le soleil se leve)
Is there a key to talking about terrorism and armed conflict? A man looks at terrorism attacks at Canada's National War Memorial and Charlie Hebdo.
Length: 8 min
Director: Lloyd Frost
Producer: Lloyd Frost
Writer: Lloyd Frost
About the writer, director and producer: Lloyd Frost is a singer-songwriter/filmmaker. 'Social Commentary With A Groove' is a theme in his songs and films.
Key cast: Lloyd Frost, Tessy Versteylen
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distribution
Funders:
Made in association with: Blue Plazuela Music Inc
Release date:
Sept 2015