Awareness Film Festival - Topanga Rose
A young girl living with Cystic Fibrosis goes on a birthday hike with her mother. An unexpected guest arrives and brings them peace.
Interview with Writer/Producer Carolyn Marie Wright
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Cystic Fibrosis runs in my family; it is a genetic disease of the lungs and respiratory system. My cousin Tracy had it. She was my best friend. She lived until the age of 21. I wrote “Topanga Rose” to honor Tracy and to give hope to other families touched by Cystic Fibrosis (CF). I hope this film raises awareness and offers hope and catharsis for all viewers.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is a journey, an exploration of youth, wellness, family, and faith. Anyone who watches this film will experience humanity and hope.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
There is an undeniable connection shared between people who live, work and deal with childhood illnesses. Some people feel survivor’s guilt; some feel anger; others feel sorrow. “Topanga Rose” humanizes and validates a spectrum of emotions that children and families feel, and offers a place to release, let go and forgive.
Personally, playing the role of the mother in this film gave me a sense of closure with Tracy’s death that I did not realized I needed. We recently shared the director’s cut of the film to family and friends who knew Tracy – specifically my Aunt Lori and Uncle Richard, her parents – and it was an unbelievable moment of catharsis and support and release. I know in my heart that this film will offer experiences like this to other audience members – whether or not they know about CF.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Originally, the script was a short scene in a longer stage play I wrote in college. My cousin Tracy was still alive when I wrote it; she died two years later. I tucked the script away for almost ten years. One day, I was hiking in Topanga Canyon, and the location appeared to me. The timing was right to revisit the script and produce the story.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People who knew my cousin Tracy were extremely moved. Her spirit is palpable in the film; and the young girls who play Rose and Therese each bring a piece of her personality to the story. For people who did not know Tracy, the film has given them permission to feel, emote and release. The feedback has been positive, and I am so grateful.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The best part of sharing the film is the universality. Although the disease featured is Cystic Fibrosis, people seem to find their own connections to wellness and illness. I am always honored to hear what personal stories come up for audience members. A great surprise has been to hear how people interpret the character of Therese. I look forward to hearing how audience members react at the Awareness Film Festival!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
“Topanga Rose” is a film for all people. I hope that we reach people across the globe who may benefit from seeing and hearing the story.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Marketing! Distribution! And connections to Cystic Fibrosis foundations and organizations. We are open to collaboration.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ultimately, I hope that “Topanga Rose” will find its way into homes, community centers, faith centers, cystic fibrosis centers, hospitals, and youth programs that help families and young people live, survive and grieve life with cystic fibrosis. I want to offer hope and healing with this film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do you live day to day when there is no cure?
Would you like to add anything else?
Yes! It was important to me that we involve as many female cast- and crew- members as possible. The group of women involved with this film include our: producers, writer, director, casting director, assistant camera, production assistants, on-set tutor, songwriter, and 75% of the cast.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The writer and producer, Carolyn Marke Wright, is in the writing process of a short film that centers around two young girls – one African American and one Caucasian – who react to the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the 2015 Charleston shooting.
The director, Anne Nemer, is currently on location in Nashville directing HouseHunters TV show.
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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Topanga Rose
A young girl living with Cystic Fibrosis goes on a birthday hike with her mother. An unexpected guest arrives and brings them peace.
Length: 10 min 20 sec
Director: Anne Nemer
Producer: Carolyn Marie Wright
Writer: Carolyn Marie Wright
About the writer, director and producer:
Carolyn Marie Wright is an actress, writer and teaching artist who is committed to creating performance with purpose. BA (Yale); MA (NYU Steinhardt); MFA (UCLA).
Anne Nemer is a director, producer and performer currently working as Director & Field Producer on House Hunters on HGTV. BA from Emerson College.
Key cast: Talullah Schorvitz, Chalee Ray, Joe Tower, Carolyn Marie Wright
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Distributors, Marketing, Buyers.
Funders: Self-financed
Made in association with: Carolyn Marie Wright LLC
Release date: January 2016