Citizen Jane Film Festival - Pollen
’she knew he would find her. it was just a matter of time. many people had told her that one day, he would come.'
Interview with Writer/Director Helen Warner
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I am originally a Fine Art photographer, it has been my main pursuit for many years. I have always wanted to make a short film, but I think I lacked the confidence at the time. My photography has allowed me to develop an eye and a visual style. A few of my friends here in Belfast are now working in the film industry and on many occasions they have suggested that I make a film. I felt that the time was right, my crew consisted of friends who are already experienced in their respective fields, and I felt confident as a visual story teller. Having said all this, POLLEN was an experiment, I thought it would just be a visual piece I would immediately upload online as a ‘moving photograph’ as such. So the feedback has been a great boost and I’m delighted with the support I have received.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because I believe in your ability to fill in the gaps, to make up your own mind and to understand a visual message.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I am a kid of the 80’s and I grew up in Europe so I cannot guarantee that the theme of the film can ever be universal as it deals with freedom of choice. This is unfortunate, and something that I have thought about a fair bit. The other problem with the theme is that here in Northern Ireland, as in many other countries, women are not completely free, abortion is still illegal in NI for instance. To think that film themes can always be universal is to have a rather utopic imagination, but i do hope that my personal experiences will be felt with familiarity by some and understood by most.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
I must be honest and say that I did not have a script for POLLEN. I had a shot list and a paragraph explaining the themes for my crew. The film didn’t really evolve on paper, we shot it in a linear way, working off the shot list only. It certainly did evolved on the day, with the weather conditions for instance and the input from the crew.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I think some people get it and some people don’t. Which I expected, and which i sort of like as well. People have their own interpretations, and I find that interesting, some are a bit like ‘what the hell have I just watched’ and that is also a good response in my books. As long as I have not bored, or left anyone completely apathetic and untouched I am happy.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback from festivals have certainly surprised me. As well as the reaction from Northern Ireland Screen who kindly gave us some financial support for the grading and the festival fees. As I said I thought I would just be uploading it onto youtube and moving on, so to be taken seriously by people in the industry has been amazing to say the least. And most importantly the audience have seemed to have something to say about it, there is a level of intrigue for the story and an appreciation for the cinematography which I have been very happy about. As i said some do not really understand it but I don’t find that challenging as I predicted it in the first place.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I just received an email from movingstories this morning. I have yet to have a good look at the site. This will be the first article about the film, so that is exciting. Hopefully it will spur some people on to keep up to date with the film’s progress and to try and see it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am really happy that the film has been accepted into a few Female only festivals. Citizen Jane and Underwire festival in London have kindly selected it for screening. I think this type of festival will stir it into the right direction and help to reach an audience I wanted to stand by. In terms of distribution we have had a couple of offers, but to be honest this is my first short film and I am learning as I go along, so my producer Brian Falconer is dealing with those things. I am trying to understand how it all works, it helps that he is also a good friend of mine! I can ask rookie questions!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
For POLLEN to be screened at festivals and seen by people in different parts of the world is already huge for me. Without going into too much detail about the theme I would like people to feel and understand that it is saying something about their place in the world. And if people just find it nice to watch that’s also fine. i am not asking for much at this stage, I feel like i have already been very lucky!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is it about?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The cinematographer, Conor Rotherham is always very busy working on Television shows such as Line of Duty, Game of Thrones and many more, in the camera department. He has a solid work ethic and is rarely on holiday! He also works on short films in the camera department. He recently won Best Cinematography at the Discover Film Festival in London for his Director of photography work on POLLEN.
The producer, Brian Falconer, who was nominated for an international Academy Award® and won a Bafta for his production work on the short film ‘Boogaloo and Graham’ is also extremely busy. He is currently developing various projects with some interesting writers and directors for film as well as television. He is an up an coming Producer and was awarded the BFI Vision Award which is an amazing opportunity to push his production company, Out of Orbit.
The Editor, Jonathan Beer, who is also a director, writer and co founder of Out of Orbit is currently developing several very promising scripts. In 2016, he directed a triptych of films for the Police Federation of Northern Ireland entitled #WeAreYou. It recently won a Royal Television Society award. He has directed several amazing short films which have been selected into international Academy Award® and BAFTA qualifying film festivals. His latest short is called ‘The Death of a Projectionist’ which I highly recommend trying to see!
Dianne Campbell, aka DIE HEXEN who scored the film and designed the sound has recently been included on a Late Night Tales compilation by DJ and Producer David Holmes. She has been nominated for Best Sound Design at the Underwire festival in London for her work on POLLEN. She is currently performing live shows in the UK and releasing a self produced album. Look her up!
Claire Falconer, who plays the female lead, is a fully fledged painter, she was recently selected to take part in the Sky Arts Painter of the year program here in the UK. Her art is an ongoing pursuit but acting is also a passion of hers. She recently played Mary Wollstonecraft in the Dark Daughter's theatre production ‘MOTHER LOSS’. She has acted in many short films and is an all round delight of a person.
Tom Greenhalgh who plays the male lead is a multi-talented illustrator, storyboard artist and musician. As well as a pretty good first time actor in POLLEN. He is the youngest of the crew and is working on Storyboards for Out of Orbit. He will also be releasing an album in 2017, of his solo, self produced project called Ruth Bate.
I am lucky to be in the midst of these creatives who are all very down to earth but greatly passionate about their respective fields.
Interview: November 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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POLLEN
’she knew he would find her. it was just a matter of time. many people had told her that one day, he would come.'
Length: 09 : 08
Director: Helen Warner
Producer: Brian Falconer
Writer: Helen Warner
Key cast: Claire Falconer & Tom Greenhalgh
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Journalists, film festival directors, distributors, sales agents)
Funders: Northern Ireland Screen
Made in association with: Out of Orbit and Northern Ireland Screen