When we grow together, we thrive.

Interview with Writer/Director Will Agee

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Growing up in Saint Helena, I remember witnessing the housing related challenges the migrant farmworkers faced. I attended the church that is featured in the film and I was motivated by the role that my pastor played in helping galvanize support for establishing affordable and comfortable housing for the migrant farmworker population. I hope it is a story that others can learn from and be inspired by as well.

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

I believe the audience should watch the film for the compelling subject matter as well as the visual storytelling. Progress and positive stories are few and far between these days and I set out with a mission to shine a light rather than simply curse the darkness.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film explores the personal journey of 3 men all deeply invested and involved in migrant farmworker rights. A winery owner, parish priest, and concerned individual; all were guided by the universal principle of demonstrating human compassion through action.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I’ve received such positive feedback it has truly been humbling. The film serves as an introduction to a very complex challenge that we still face throughout the country and I am very pleased that those who have seen the film so far have spoken about how it touched them deeply and prompted them to research more about farmworker housing in their towns and counties.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback has been very confirming to me. My mission was to shine a light on the progress that has occurred and to channel those successes into a more sustained effort for advancing housing and farmworker initiatives.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on We Are Moving stories?

I would hope that this exposure for Crescite will bring more people to see the film who may not otherwise have discovered it. My goal for anyone who sees the film is to leave the theater with a renewed or reinforced interest in helping those who need some help. There is so much good that can be done when we come together and treat each other with respect and gratitude.

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

I welcome everyone, whether they be buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists etc to help get the message out about my film. The more awareness we can raise about both the progress as well as the remaining challenges that face us, the more likely we are to contribute to building a society based on service to each other. What a wonderful world that would be.

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

I think a couple key questions would be: Could a community approach similar to the one used in the Napa Valley be applied to help farmworkers in other areas of the country? And how can we best continue to advance the goal of low-income housing?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Will Agee is currently directing a narrative short in addition to a character based documentary which could become a feature in 2017. Will is also working as DP on a documentary exploring homelessness in San Francisco. That film is directed by Crescite co-Cinematographer Olaf Hamelink.

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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Crescite

When we grow together, we thrive.

Length: 13 minutes 31 seconds

Director: Will Agee

Producer: Will Agee, Dulcinea Productions

Writer: Will Agee

About the writer, director and producer:

Will was raised in Saint Helena, California amidst the grapevines. After graduating from Stanford University in 2011, he started a multimedia company that focused on digitizing photos and videos for individuals and families. Always having a penchant for storytelling through film and music, he turned his lifelong passion of filmmaking into a reality by launching the video production company, Dulcinea Productions. According to Will, “My goal is to leave the world a more beautiful place than the way I found it, and to never cease dreaming the impossible dream.”

Key cast: Angel Calderon, Pat Garvey, Fr. John Brenkle, Moises Sanchez

Release date: 2017