A 'slice of life' short following one young woman's peaceful face-off with depression, suicide, and pregnancy. A film to raise awareness of several women's health issues in one fell (unapologetic) swoop.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Katy Lueck

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I sat on the script for about a year after writing "Last Night" and I just kept coming back to it. It came to a point where I knew that I would either make it now or let the moment pass. It just needed to be made. The images and story in my head were too powerful to pass on.

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

With this film I hope to bring awareness to
everal
women's issues
in one ell (unapologetic) swoop
.
y only hope is that the audience is impacted by looking in on a slice of this character's life.
Whatever it makes you feel or do, I just hope that it brings your attention to these issues that often go unaddressed or unnoticed.

an.me baby store in the east village. DP, Dina Graham.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The themes addressed in this film are very specific to my life and to life in New York City for any young woman. Many of the moments in the film are every day experiences for me and other young women living in any big city. For instance, verbal sexual harassment on the street is common. Individuals experience this harassment to different degrees, but it is definitely a universal experience for women in New York City (or any large city). The overall theme of isolation is also a big one. New York City is so fast and busy and crowded but anyone who has ever lived here knows what it feels like to be alone in a crowded room. New York is very compartmentalized, all of us in our own little boxes stacked on top of each other. I hope a look into this character's "box" and the specificity of these different scenes trigger experiences of audience members.

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

The script has actually stayed pretty much as it was from its first draft. It definitely helps that the piece is primarily image and sound driven more so than dialogue driven. As we moved through pre-production and the pictures in my head started coming to life on paper and on screen, I was able to deepen the words on the page without having to add or change much text. The evolution of this project was all about adding layers and letting them interact and evolve together. My favorite moments in the post-production process were working on the conversation between the solo cello score and the sound design/mix. This deepened the script in ways I never could've imagined without my incredible composer and sound designer.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far I have received a good range of positive feedback. Some viewers just overall feel impacted by the slow and drawn out collapse of our lead character, others praise the cello score, others the acting and direction. A handful of compliments regarding the restrained dialogue and use of imagery to tie the piece together are most fulfilling for me.

My family definitely wanted to check in and make sure I was doing okay after watching.

Aside from a few comments about working to find
more creative shots/setup I have heard mostly good things.

A rare moment of positive connection in our character's isolated New York City life. Cashier, Lindsey White. Young Woman, Katy Lueck. DP, Dina Graham

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback has been so fulfillin and grounding. More than anything it has deepened my point of view and asked challenging questions of me that have allowed me to delve deeper into the subconscious of how and why I needed to make this film. It has inspired me and challenged me to ask of myself, so what is next?

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

I'm looking to continue to connect with other artists and storytellers. I want to continue to watch and discuss and create and then move forward in sharing what we've created together. Collaboration nation!! Collaboration is what I'm all about. I've learned through this process the strength and importance of collaboration.

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

Film festival directors to help me continue to stream and screen the film. Journalists to help me talk about the film and my message as a storyteller. Producers to talk about future projects. I would love to distribute the film as well but am not sure how to go about it, so that would be cool too!

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

I want the audience to think or feel something after watching. Any kind of impact Maybe about their own experiences, maybe about a loved one. Maybe just to help other isolated city folk know they're not alone or bring light to the isolation of city life.

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

How can women's health issues be better addressed and understood? How can we make women's health issues more visible?

Harasser, Thomas Hedlund. DP, Dina Graham

Would you like to add anything else?

There were a few big picture issues that I wanted to be able to address and tie together with this film. I wanted to touch on each of them in a way that represents the casual frequency at which these issues pop up for women without being properly addressed. I wanted to add a lot of layers to create this young woman's situation with all of these real issues believably experienced all at once. They each build on top of each other until she herself topples over. It was my goal that they stand out without my having to name them. It is also my hope that the film is not just seen as a dark piece, a depressing story of an isolated girl, but a commentary on how each of these issues may be experienced every day without much consequence, but their combination can be deadly if not addressed.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We're all working on independent projects of our own. Film and photo primarily. Much of the team from this film have actually worked with me on the other indie projects I'm working on currently.

Interview: August 2016

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________

Last Night

A 'slice of life' short following one young woman's peaceful face-off with depression, suicide, and pregnancy. A film to raise awareness of several women's health issues in one fell (unapologetic) swoop.

Length:

Director
/
Producer
/
Writer:
Katy Luec

Key cast:
Katy Lueck, Lindsey White, Thomas Hedlun

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Producers, Film Festival Directors, Journalists

Funders:
el

Release date:
July 201

Where can I watch it in the next month?

ew Filmmakers New York, Sept 12 in the East Village, NYC
oloumbia George International Film Festival, Sept 22-25 in Big Bear Lake, CA
asis Film Festival, TBD in NYC