A teenage girl is pushed to the brink and must ask herself whether she is still safe living at home.

Interview with Director Elli Iliades

Why did you make your film?

I read a news article about an infant boy who had been murdered by his mother’s boyfriend and it touched a nerve in me. Around the same time, I remembered an incident from my childhood where a school friend was distraught after seeing her stepfather shoot up in front of her. I became interested in the stories of homeless youths loitering around the streets and in abandoned buildings. All of these incidents became catalysts that inspired the screenplay.

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

If you’re interested in films that address social issues, Waiting for Angel raises awareness about those people in society who rely on us the most: children. Storytelling isn’t necessarily about telling people what to think, but it can transport audiences into the worlds of characters they would never usually meet. Seeing life from their point of view is what can make cinematic experiences powerful and transformative. I think the actors were incredible in how they depicted the harsh realities that their characters faced.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

When faced with challenging or life threatening circumstances, our survival instincts kick in. I wanted to explore how children react when they are faced with threatening circumstances. How do they learn to protect themselves at such a young age? I think even an infant possesses an instinct as to what or whom is safe or dangerous. It’s really about learning how to survive from a young age.

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

I developed the idea when I was staring out as a filmmaker. After a few years of gaining experience, I returned to the script and started developing it through a filmmakers programme facilitated by Wide Angle Tasmania.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

After the film’s first public screening, a few people from the audience approached me with positive feedback and wanted to discuss the film. It was great to hear their responses. It wasn’t about what I wanted to say anymore. The film suddenly became theirs and I suppose it was like what I’d imagine it would be like to watch your child leave home. You bring them up and then off they go into the world.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

A friend of mine who is also a director told me it was a brave topic to explore. At the time I wrote the story, I didn’t think about being brave or whether I should or shouldn’t make a film about a sensitive topic. The issue touched a nerve in me and I just went towards it. The actors received excellent feedback and the cast: Lilyana Guardia, Sara Pensalfini, Max Brown, and Benjamin Kolody, were incredible to work with. This was Lilyana’s first film and she was remarkable. I will never underestimate children or teenagers. They know and understand everything.

Who do you need to come on board to amplify this film’s message?

We want to continue screening it through the film festival circuit, particularly festivals concerned with inspiring social change.

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

As a filmmaker, you try to engage an audience by immersing them into the world of a character they would usually never meet. I want the audience to experience life from Angel’s perspective and be moved by her story.

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

Has this film given a real and honest interpretation of the issues facing children who are affected by neglect?

Would you like to add anything else?

A. I’d like to thank my cinematographer, Damon Heather and my producer, Andrew Del Vecchio as well as all of the cast and crew who worked so passionately on this project.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m a writer/director so I’m in the process of developing two feature screenplays, one of which is a thriller and also a low budget drama.

Interview: August 2016

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Waiting for Angel

A teenage girl is pushed to the brink and must ask herself whether she is still safe living at home.

Length: 7 minutes

Director: Elli Iliades is an Australian writer/director who has written, directed and produced four short films and is currently developing two feature screenplays.

Producer: Tasmanian filmmaker, Andrew Del Vecchio of Doublesee Media, has won awards for film, television, and digital media campaigns specializing in arts education and social change.

Key Cast: Lilyana Guardia, Sara Pensalfini, Max Brown, and BenjamiKolody.

Looking for: Buyers, Distributors, Film Festival Directors.

Funders: Wide Angle Tasmania and Screen Australia

Made in Association with: Doublesee Media, Wide Angle Tasmania and Screen Australia.

Release Date: February 11 2016

Where can I see this in the next month: Global Impact Film Festival in August 2016 and Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival in November 2016.