#crowdfunding - Memory Box
A young mother works at a facility where actors recreate clients' memories. When a client pushes her to break rules, cross lines, and jeopardize her job, she's forced to decide how far she's willing to go.
Interview with Writer/Director Audrey Ewell
Watch Memory Box here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My partner, Aaron Aites, and I were in the process of transitioning from documentary to narrative filmmaking. This isn't always easy, as people only think you an do exactly what you've done before. So we wanted to make something that showed our sensibility, which is on the edgier side.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you're into speculative tech, if you've ever been in a relationship where it was hard to get what you wanted, if you feel like the world is a game set up for you to lose, if you're interested in gender roles and the way ideas of masculinity and femininity impact relationships - these are all good reasons to see this film. Also, the cast is terrific: we have Mackenzie Davis from Halt and Catch Fire, and Shane Carruth from Primer and Upstream Color.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Ours is a slightly sci-fi tinged story about a couple dealing with conflicting needs and desires, and not able to be honest about it, in the same way that many of us can't approach things head on in our relationships. Especially because there are so often resentments, and even though you don't consciously want to hurt the other person, maybe, if you're honest, you actually kind of do want that, a little bit.
There's also subtext in the film about the way mediated images of women reinforce limited and limiting cultural tropes.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Every film is a process. This one has actually stayed incredibly true to its origins.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The biggest thing we hear is that this film makes people want to know more about these characters and this world. That makes sense, because we made it as a proof of concept - the goal was to establish the characters, their world, and the conflict, and then to make the feature version. People also say it's really well shot and acted.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We're crowdfunding to pay off our finishing expenses and to help with festivals, licensing and distribution expenses. That campaign is here, and we're very grateful for any support.
:
http://igg.me/at/MemoryBoxFilm
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Right now we just need help with the finishing funds. On a personal note, I made this film with my life and film partner of 15+ years, Aaron, and he lost his battle with cancer before he could see it released. This is now his final film, and it's important to me that it get out there, that people see it. It's his legacy.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Our films have always been about shining a light on something that people aren't super conscious about: mechanisms in society or personal dynamics that are hard to look at directly. This is the same. This film has a few layers, and it helps to watch it a few times.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who really has the power in this relationship?
Would you like to add anything else?
Aaron Aites was an incredible artist, both in film and music, and a warm and loving man. I hope that more people will find their way to his work via our indiegogo page, where our past films and his music are available. http://igg.me/at/MemoryBoxFilm
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Audrey Ewell is working on a film about a woman who loses track of someone close to her and goes looking for them in another country. It's a ghost film.
Interview: September 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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Memory Box
A young mother works at a facility where actors recreate clients' memories. When a client pushes her to break rules, cross lines, and jeopardize her job, she's forced to decide how far she's willing to go.
Length: 11 minutes
Director: Audrey Ewell, Aaron Aites
Producer: Amy Lo, Aaron Aites, Audrey Ewell
Writer: Audrey Ewell
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Executive Producers:
Cameron Brodie
Tyler Brodie
Brooke Devine
Release date: Sept 24, 2016
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Memory Box premieres at Fantastic Fest on Sept 24 and is slated to appear at other festivals. It will be released on Fandor and other platforms following the festival.