‘Boneca de Ataúro: Searching for the Lost Love’ is the first stop-motion film from the young nation of Timor-Leste.

Interview with Director David Palazón

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thanks. The film was made as the teaser to support the Boneca de Atauro’s fundraising campaign on Generosity.com: https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/boneca-de-atauro

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

Because it is a non-stop laughter and action-packed film with a strong social cause behind. It is also the first stop-motion film coming from the young nation of Timor-Leste.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The Boneca de Ataúro (Ataúro's Doll—in Portuguese) is a well-established women cooperative producing - for the last 10 years - the most well-known handicraft brand in the young nation of Timor-Leste. The cooperative produces intricately handmade embroidery dolls, handbags, toys, housewares and educational products. Based in Ataúro island—25km north off the coast of Dili—it is one of those projects truly born out of love, passion and hard work, providing income to over 60 families in the island and around 10% of the total population.

‘Boneca de Ataúro: Searching for the Lost Love’

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

The film was made totally pro-bono by award-winning filmmaker David Palazón, co-written by Karen Reidy and Swiss artist Ester Piera Zuercher (the founder) and co-produced in collaboration with the women at the cooperative Boneca de Atauro.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Excellent feedback! Many people have watched it already and so far, for 2016, it has been selected at the KINOdiseea International Children Film Festival in Bucharest (Rumania)), Design Katha part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival in Colombo, the 2nd Asia International Youth Short-Film Festival (AISFF) in Wenzhou (China), and Asian short film competition of the 4th Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival held at the city of General Santos (Philippines); and for 2017 is scheduled so far at the FIFO in Rapa Nui (Easter island) and Colourtape International Film Festival in Brisbane (Australia).

Last month, it won the Best Asian Short Film at the 4th Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival in the Philippines.

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

To promote the film and fundraising campaign to support the much needed development project (emancipation, education and infrastructure) for the cooperative between 2016 and 2018.

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

All possible parties interested to show the film and promote therefore the fundraising campaign to support his women empowering creative project.

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

To reach the total fundraising target through the fundraising campaign.

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

Would you like to support a women empowerment creative project in Timor-Leste?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

There are 60+ women working at the cooperative, supported by a management team with a President and Art Director.

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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‘Boneca de Ataúro: Searching for the Lost Love’

‘Boneca de Ataúro: Searching for the Lost Love’ is the first stop-motion film from the young nation of Timor-Leste.

Length: 20mins.

Director: David Palazón

Producer: David Palazón, Ester Piera Zuercher and Boneca de Atauro

Writer: David Palazón, Ester Piera Zuercher and Karen Reidy

About the writer, director and producer:

David Palazón (born 1972, Barcelona) is a prolific visual artist, designer, researcher, producer, and a documentary photographer and filmmaker. Driven by a curious nature for exploration and characterised by a unique sense of humour, his work is a constant enquiry about the human condition. His most prominent recent work is Timor Runguranga, an epic and rare photobook—made over a period of eight years—portraying the young nation of Timor-Leste.

Key cast: Maturina de Araujo

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

producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Funders: $0 funding, all made pro-bono

Made in association with: Boneca de Atauro

Release date: July 2016

Where will it screen in the next month? The film has been submitted to a long list of festivals for 2017. For more information, please visit: https://web.facebook.com/bonecadeatauro52/