Santa Fe Film Festival - Muscle
A woman married to a terminally ill man must make the agonizing decision to live for him or live for herself.
Interview with writer Tom Wilton
Congratulations! Why did you write the film?
I was interested in how one person can be beholden to another, even after love has escaped the heart. In Muscle, we see a married couple whose relationship is in embers, and yet circumstance means they’re bound together longer than they probably should.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Muscle seeks to resonate with the audience, finding a way to articulate those shadow emotions we hardly know, but are instantly familiar. Fiona Graham’s performance as Amanda is a study in patience as she plays out the conflicts of someone ostensibly stuck by their own volition. And indeed, Heidi Miami Marshall’s direction allows the heartache to well on screen before the final denouement.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It’s personal in that we all understand the sting of heartbreak. I don’t think there’s any among us who hasn’t had that noxious mix of anger, confusion and dread. And with Muscle, I got to write that confused pain into both the role of Amanda and Craig (Marc Menchaca).
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The short screenplay was put together in an hour or so, and beyond some editing, it’s pretty much what we see on screen. My script had a different ending to the film though, but that’s the wont of a director, to make the film they see fit. Being a director myself, I understand this process well, but thematically, the film stands up regardless.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film has played well and is gathering its fair share of awards, and so that’s the biggest positive for all involved.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not particularly, but then, this isn’t a film designed to challenge perceptions. Instead, Muscle seeks to present a reality - of complicated people finding themselves bound by truly difficult circumstances. In writing the screenplay, I wanted to do away with the idea of good guys and bad guys, of right or wrong. Instead, it was about saying life is messy, and many times, our choices will hurt. We’re all beautifully flawed people, just trying to wrestle with the worst parts of ourselves in the face of those we love.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope people get to see it. Again, all the performances are strong, yet considered. Reiko Aylesworth brings her own fragility in the smallest of moments, and there’s not a person on screen you wouldn’t want to watch over and again. It’s just a very well-told story, and I hope people continue to find something in it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Personally speaking, as a writer-and-producer on the film, I’m not seeking ancillary support for the film per se, but if it resonates, then head to musclefilm.com and let us know why.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To be honest, I hope the story’s impact is personal, rather than overt. Again, my only intention in writing the film was to whisper in the ear of the audience, not to solicit a thunderclap.
However, from a production stance, I want to give credit to my fellow producers, Johnny Sanchez and Fiona Graham, for making sure that our film was not only directed by a woman, but that half the crew were also female. It can feel rote to bang the drum of equality on a film set, but it matters far beyond filling quotas. There’s a great value in having different voices with different experiences of the world on set, and while some will inevitably be louder than others, something good always comes out of it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I find it hard to answer this through the lens of the film itself. As I say, Muscle was made for the audience, so I would trust they’re already asking their own questions as the film plays the festival circuit.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m working on a raft of projects, including a feature film set in Brazil.
Interview: December 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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Muscle
A woman married to a terminally ill man must make the agonizing decision to live for him or live for herself.
Length:
14 mins
Director:
Heidi Miami Marshall
Producer:
Johnny Sanchez, Tom Wilton, Fiona Graham
Writer:
Tom Wilton
About the writer:
London-born Tom Wilton is a New York-based writer, director and producer.
Key cast:
Fiona Graham, Marc Menchaca, Reiko Aylesworth