“Whatever god you believe in, we come from the same one. Strip away the fear, underneath it’s all the same love.” -Ben Haggerty

Interview with Writer/Director Bri Oglu

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thanks so much! Same Love is about the gravity of the choices that manifest when you combine relationships and religion. It deals with the universality of love, something that I feel everyone can relate to. I made this film because I know the story reaches so many different people.

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

Watch this film to be reminded of the power of choice.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

While the story is based on my own personal experience, the takeaway concepts of the universality of love & the power of choice can be applied to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

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

I wrote the script with strong ideas about the dialogue because the story is partially inspired by personal experiences; however, after I cast the film I was so confident in my actors that I ended up basically saying “read the script & hit the major points, but feel free to put everything into your own words.”

Art (Matthew Konen) in a pivotal moment in Same Love.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I’ve been incredibly humbled by the feedback, SAME LOVE has been accepted and recognized by numerous film festivals including AWARENESS FILM FEST, MARINA DEL REY FILM FESTIVAL, ACTION ON FILM FESTIVAL, CINEFEST, HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL MOVING PICTURES FILM FESTIVAL & LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

No, though I’m incredibly open to it.

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

I’d like anyone with fundamental differences within a relationship to watch a movie that they can relate to. Perhaps SAME LOVE can bring perspective to their hardships and really exemplify the gravity of the choices they may feel inclined to make before they make them.

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

All of the above.

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

I want Same Love to be recognized and inspire people to really understand the power of choice and that as humans, we all possess the same incredible ability to love.

This symbol, the SGI lotus flower and Roman Catholic crucifix fused together, is the last image seen in SAME LOVE. It represents the the success of an interfaith relationship.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Does the universality of love speak louder than fundamental differences (i.e. religion) in the context of romantic relationships?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Same Love is currently surfing the film festival circuit (AWARENESS FILM FEST, MARINA DEL REY FILM FESTIVAL, ACTION ON FILM FESTIVAL, CINEFEST, HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL MOVING PICTURES FILM FESTIVAL & LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS).

Interview: October 2016

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________

SAME LOVE

“Whatever god you believe in, we come from the same one. Strip away the fear, underneath it’s all the same love.” -Ben Haggerty

Length: 20 minutes

Director: Bri Oglu

Producer: Cengiz Sarikcioglu Sr., Bri Oglu

Writer: Bri Oglu

About the writer, director and producer:

Key cast: Matt Konen, Bri Oglu, Ryan Gibson, Charles West McNulty

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

Funders: Bri Oglu, Cengiz Sarikcioglu Sr., Christina Burden, C. Robert Sarikcioglu, Rose Marie Livingston, Apryl Sarikcioglu.

Made in association with: LP Pictures

Release date: 5/15/16