Lady Filmakers Film Festival - Enough
A short film about women's struggles with negative body image and eating disorders. In a world that teaches us to hate our bodies, be afraid of food and weight gain, and that our self worth comes from our looks, this film challenges those social norms.
Interview with Director Seri DeYoung
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film because I was struck by the emotional honesty that the writer Daphne Fischer had put into her script and crowdfunding campaign. When she offered me the job to direct, I felt truly honored to help her tell this personal and transcendent story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It’s worth examining the darker sides of our own psyches. So many of us deal with negative self talk- especially around the subject of body image. In order to break that cycle, it must first be acknowledged. Hopefully this film provides that first step for our viewers.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The issue of body image has been magnified in recent years with the aid of social media. Though there are plenty of body-positive role models, there is also an overwhelming amount of images of manufactured “perfection”. As far as we’ve come in 2017, the rigidity of beauty standards still stand. And with the rise of personal social media use, it has become harder and harder to escape those images that can make us feel like we’ll never be enough. And don’t even get me started on comment sections!
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script didn’t undergo any significant changes once it came to me. I had a couple little suggestions for Daphne, but nothing major. She had already put so much thought and care into this piece and because she had left so much open to interpretation, I got to have a lot of fun creating the visual motifs for the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received very emotional feedback so far. The way that we explore our themes of negative body image and negative self-talk is intentionally varied so an audience can see it played out in a variety of circumstances. There are many ways in for the audience to connect.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
What has surprised me about the feedback is that it is almost always coupled with a personal story. Someone will say “this film reminded me of my friend…” or “I used to struggle with the same things”. It’s been incredibly moving how open people are to sharing their own stories after seeing this film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The purpose of this film is to shed light onto the pervasive nature of negative body image and how the effects are multi-faceted and universal. Our goal is to share it with as large an audience as possible, because we believe its message is one that can spark conversation, empathy, and healing.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Our team could certainly benefit from a publicity push! Any help to get the word out there.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope this film impacts women in that they see themselves on screen and hear the voices that exist in their own minds. It’s dark and it’s scary, but if not called out will persist. This goes for women of all ages. I also truly hope men see this film and maybe think twice about commenting on a woman’s body before seeing her as a person. I love men, and men have been culturally conditioned to reduce a woman to her appearances, and I know we are better than that. Hopefully we can open a dialog on this complex issue.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
A question that still exists in my own mind is- how do you draw the line between wanting to present the best version of yourself to the world, and conforming yourself to fit an unhealthy standard? As a young actress in Los Angeles, this weighs differently on me than maybe it does on women in other parts of the country. I am greatly looking forward to hearing reactions from women from a multitude of places.
Would you like to add anything else?
The message of this film is for you to interpret and share. We made this for you.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Seri DeYoung (director) is a working actress in Los Angeles- you can catch her next on the first season of Jean-Claude Van Johnson coming out soon! She is also developing her feature film directorial debut- a horror comedy. Daphne Fischer (writer/producer/star) is writing her next full length feature film that's all about surviving childhood sexual assault, how you can heal from it as an adult, and the complexities of romantic relationships and mental illness.
Interview: September 2017
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Enough
A short film about women's struggles with negative body image and eating disorders. In a world that teaches us to hate our bodies, be afraid of food and weight gain, and that our self worth comes from our looks, this film challenges those social norms.
Length: 8min
Director: Seri DeYoung
Producer: Daphne Fischer, Karina Michel, Jasper Jan, Nathan Shaw
Writer: Daphne Fischer
About the writer, director and producer:
Writer Daphne Fischer is an LA based actress and screenwriter. Enough is her debut film with another feature film already in the works.
Director Seri DeYoung is an actress and director. She has appeared on network TV and in feature films, and her directed shorts have screened/won awards domestically and abroad.
Key cast: Daphne Fischer, Resheda Terry, Kylie Pavlich, Emily Moussa, Amelya Hensley, Jenna Podell
Looking for : buyers, distributors, sales agents, publicists, bloggers, sharers, viewers :)
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmenough/
Twitter: @_enoughfilm @_DaphneFischer @serideyoung
Instagram: @xo_seri @daphnefischer
Funders: crowdfunded through kickstarter
Where can I see it in the next month?
We will be releasing this Friday October, 6th on our facebook page, on Vimeo, and on YouTube. Check our socials for details!