Logline: Koraly : a mockumentary “I wonder if they’ll make a TV show”. Join Koraly Dimitriadis for a night of mingling, cabaret, performances and the test screening of her new feature comedic project Koraly (a mockumentary) : I hope they make a TV show. Doors open 6:30 for drinks and snacks. Loop Bar and Cinema Space. Melbourne. Sunday, 5 June 2016 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM (AEST) Tix: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/screening-koralya-mockumentary-i-wonder-if-theyll-make-a-tv-show-tickets-25256971281

Length: one hour

Director: Koraly Dimitriadis and Zev Howley

Producer: Koraly Dimitriadis

About the director and producer:

Koraly Dimitriadis is an opinion writer, poet, performer, actor, theatre maker, film maker. She is the author of the controversial love and f**k poems.

Integrating his strong theatre and documentary production background, Zev Howley has directed and co-produced numerous award-winning shorts. After having an integral role in documentaries sponsored by the Australia Council, Zev directed a documentary of his own entitled, ‘Who is the Sonic Manipulator’ (2005), which screened at The Big West Festival and the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. He pushed his passion for directing further and dove into short fiction film by writing and directing ‘Sarah's Jihad’ (2009) which won numerous best short awards and appeared on the Channel 31 television show entitled“Underexposed.”

Zev wrote and directed “Broken Superman” (2012), which won best film at connect film festival in Melbourne and also screened in Los Angeles. Zev’s most recent short film, also as writer and director, “Walkman” (2015) won Best Film of the year at Comfy Shorts.

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

Funders or production company: Outside The Box Press

Why are you presenting/performing Koraly (a mockumentary): I wonder if they'll make a show?

After producing The Good Greek Girl Film Project, a series of four poetic films, I wanted to show the woman behind the poet. The Good Greek Girl Film Project helped me gain the attention of my TV agent and producer Cristina Pozzan. We are currently developing a TV show / web series concept with the aim of gaining the attention of broadcasters like SBS or ABC iView and Screen Australia.

I see this mockumentary as a stepping stone to this current work in development. It’s allowed me to be experimental and play around with the different characters in my life and how they have all contributed to my journey from repressed woman to outspoken writer.

I am presenting my mockumentary at the Loop Cinema Space with the aim of getting feedback on the project which will in turn help me fine tune my TV show / web series concept.

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

I think my main demographic is definitely women who have suffered some sort of isolation or repression in their lives and are looking for inspiration and hope. Women that want to claim their voice and identity.

While my poetry can be quite serious, over time I’ve learned to appreciate that it is black comedy, and therefore, people from all walks of life, who not only want to have a laugh, but also want to learn about what it’s like coming from a conservative culture are and trying to not only grapple with the baggage of the past, but also find the belief within yourself to make your dreams happen, which in my case is making a TV show.

Throw in a conservative, racist, elitist literary culture and art scene and you’ve got a recipe for a lot of comedy.

What led you to this story?

I’ve always been fascinated with reality and those things that happen in everyday life that can’t be scripted. Combining that with art, like poetry, is something I’m very interested in exploring. Performance poets have a performance persona. But what is behind this persona?

How is this a personal and universal story for you?

My writing, and my art has always stemmed from my personal experiences. Honesty is very important to me in connecting with women. If I want them to claim their voice, I have to be brave enough to claim mine.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I haven’t received any feedback yet, but that’s why I’m test screening at Loop bar and cinema space, to get that feedback that I’m really looking for.

What type of impact would you like this film-show to have?

I really wanted to be bare bones honest in this doco, so in many scenes I’m not wearing make-up. I wanted to show my struggle and joy of being a single parent. Some of my family are in the doco too, including my daughter.

It’s easy to hide behind the poem, but to show your true self, in my eyes, is as honest as you can get. That’s where the power lies. I also wanted to show how different friendships contribute to a woman’s life.

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

How impossible it is for a woman from an ethnic background to fight through not only cultural barriers, and in my case being a single parent, to fight through the gatekeepers of the arts world, to make a TV show. It is practically impossible so if it does happen it’s a miracle.

What next for you? What other films or work are you developing or directing?

Based on the feedback I receive from the test screening, I will decide if this mockumentary is complete, or if I will add more scenes, or possibly continue filming until the TV show or web series finally becomes a reality. In the meantime I will continue my creative developments on my TV show or web series with Cristina Pozzan.