An eccentric artist navigates self-expression through his experiences living and growing up in the South.

Interview with Director/Producer Marinah Janello

Why did you make your film?

I wanted to find a unique personality who could describe an alternative viewpoint of the South. Too many times LA filmmakers come to the South with their image of what it is to live there. I wanted to give a voice to a resident filmmaker and artist.

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

This film takes the viewer completely out of their comfort zone in terms of traditional storytelling. Though the viewpoints in the film may be shocking, I challenge any viewer to be open to any similarities they might find with the subject.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Troll works with the themes of class issues, artmaking as a reflection of experience, and the expression one’s own personal reality. People’s realities might differ less than you would think across vast distances.

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

There was no script involved whatsoever. I travelled to Mississippi with the intention of finding someone unique to profile. I only had six hours with Tony and I didn’t know what to expect. It was thrilling to jump into production on this film without testing the waters first.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People have mostly expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the film but of course there have been a couple of people who have looked at me shocked in complete silence.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was most surprised to hear that many people were not as disturbed by the stories told in the film than I imagined they would be. My viewers are from all walks of life, and most of them could find the human element in the stories and could relate to them regardless of their background.

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

I hope to use this visibility to let voices like Tony’s be heard when they are often trumped by Hollywood’s depiction of the South.

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

I need film festival directors and journalists to come on board with the film in order to spread these unique stories of the South. I am curious to see how they connect with other people’s experience of living in the American South and how they compare to the experiences of those living elsewhere.

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

I would like this film to introduce non-linear storytelling to audiences who haven’t had as much exposure to it. I want this to open people up to the idea of entering the world of “the other” and question their own idea of “otherness.”

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

My key questions are: What is “truth” in nonfiction filmmaking? Is it easy to decipher truth from lies, and does it matter?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently in pre-production for a short film that follows a woman who aims to regain her youth through her taxidermy and spell books.

Interview: January 2017

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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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FILM INFO:

A Southern Tale

An eccentric artist navigates self-expression through his experiences living and growing up in the South.

Length: 12 minutes

Director: Marinah Janello

Producer: Marinah Janello

Editor: Marinah Janello

About the writer, director and producer:

Marinah Janello is an experimental video artist/filmmaker. Her work deals with issues of circumstance through humor and creative writing.

Featuring : Tony Arnold