HollyShorts - Freckles
Freckles is a short psychological drama that follows a super-freckled, self-hating virgin’s descent into a dark, depressive, lethal insanity. It explores the dangerous psychological effects of our cultural beauty standards.
Interview with Writer/Director Denise Papas Meechan
Watch Freckles here:
Congratulations! Why did you make a film called Freckles?
I made Freckles in order to call attention to the detrimental effects the cultural standards of beauty can have on the psychology of young people. And I wanted to do that in an entertaining way. My protagonist, Lizzie (played by Jenn Halweil) has a very warped image of herself, a form of body dysmorphia and super low self-esteem. I wanted to show how one’s self-image affects all social interactions with others as well as their perception of reality.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you have ever felt like you weren’t quite good enough, good-looking enough, socially active or popular enough, then you should watch Freckles. We all tend to bombast our minds with unkind, negative thoughts about ourselves. This film illustrates how damaging that kind of thinking can be to our psyche.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Aside from being guilty of undervaluing myself personally, I see how, with the onslaught of social media, body shaming has become a global epidemic. It’s hard to grow up in a culture where so much emphasis is based on how you look. If our ‘ideals’ - the women and men we see in ads and magazines - have to be photoshopped beyond recognition, then how are we supposed to feel comfortable about being just ‘us’?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
I ended up shooting the third draft of this script. There was so much I wanted to say and I had to do some weaving in of the story to allow me to express everything I thought was important. But the tone and feel of the film has always remained consistent with my original vision.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I’m psyched with the feedback Freckles has been receiving! The film critics have all agreed that it sends a clear and important message. One reviewer says “stories like Freckles are important and need to be told”. Another that the film makes a “powerful statement about the cultural standards of a woman’s appearance and the potential damage to their psyche” and another calls Freckles "a haunting, fascinating piece that defies categorization".
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was originally stunned that the critics all seem to understand the film’s underlying social message. I write in a very nuanced style so as not to come across as preachy (and Freckles is anything but). It was very cool that the subject matter that was important to me revealed itself through the entertainment.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Any venue that allows me to tell the stories I feel need to be told would be beneficial. Agent representation, distribution and financing for my next projects would all be welcomed!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributors and film festival directors would be great assets in getting this story out. It deals with very relevant topics today- body shaming and body dysmorphia. The more people that see Freckles, the more people that can understand how grave and primary these issues are.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want to make people think. Watching a film gives you an opportunity to see a story from another’s perspective. Greater human understanding makes for a more peaceful world.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can we produce a more creative and enterprising society by increasing each individual’s self-confidence? Are self-assured people more likely to be productive and visionary?
Would you like to add anything else?
I hope that Freckles – or anything I write/direct – impacts the viewer and somehow changes their view on something they thought they knew about. That’s when I know I accomplished something worthy.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am finishing up a dark comedy television pilot script based in Hawaii called “HOVE” that I hope to find finance and production for.
My lead actor, Jenn Halweil, is hoping to form a team for her series “Beyond the Boundary” which follows a group of female scientists and engineers battling to overcome prejudice, bureaucracy, and the competitive nature of the Nobel prize winning community.
Interview: May 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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Freckles
Freckles is a short psychological drama that follows a super-freckled, self-hating virgin’s descent into a dark, depressive, lethal insanity. It explores the dangerous psychological effects of our cultural beauty standards.
Length: 14:50
Director: Denise Papas Meechan
Producer: Denise Papas Meechan
About the director and producer: This is Denise’s first time writing and directing a short film. Her feature screenplays “Sex Dreams of Jon Stewart”, “Skin” and “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Dead” have all been awarded. She is originally a producer/writer for television shows such as Subway Q&A and Fashion Police.
Looking for : Literary agents, producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists,
CONTACT INFO
denisepapas@gmail.com
(instagram & twitter)
@frecklesfilm
@denisepapas
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrecklesMovie/