Inspired by true events, a poverty-stricken young mother must move immediately when her house is condemned. With no money and no options, determined to protect her family, she decides to get money from the only person she knows with any - the man who abused her as a child.

Interview with Writer/Director Harris Doran

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made the film to start a conversation about abuse (sexual, emotional and psychological) in ways that people are unwilling to.

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

You should watch it to understand the realities of what the long term effects of abuse are and to gain a greater understanding and empathy for those who have to make choices when none of their options are good.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film not only investigates the effects of abuse, but explores the idea of psychology that has been handed down in families from generation to generation and questions whether it is possible to break that pattern. The movie asks the question of how far one would go to save their family.

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

The film is inspired by true events that happened to one of the film’s producers. It then evolved through the lens of my own personal journey to understand family psychology and whether you can break the physiological caste system you are born into. It continued to evolve with the guidance of people who work in the field of abuse.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has been received very strongly by both critics and audiences. Auden Thornton, my lead actress, won a special Jury Prize for her “Breakout Performance” at the LA Film Festival, and we won Best Ultra Indie Film at the Woodstock Film Festival. Audiences have been eager to discuss the film, as it hits home to many people, and also because of its resonance with the current conversation about sexual abuse happening in the media.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback has encouraged me and has made me speak out further in support of women speaking out about sexual violence and the need for men to listen to them and believe them.

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

I’m hoping for more people to know about the film, follow us on Facebook and Twitter so they can know when the film will be playing near them. Having people know about your film is the hardest and most vital part of getting your film out into the world.

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

Journalists are vital to help amplify the film’s message, given what is currently happening in the news, there is much to be discussed.

We are also currently in the process of choosing the right distributor who understands the necessity of the film’s message and wants to see that change in the world by putting our film on screens and digital platforms.

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

A portion of the proceeds from the film go to Family & Children’s Place, a Louisville based organization working to stop and prevent child abuse. I hope that the film serves as the impetus for conversations about abuse that people have long held in.

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

How far would you go to save your family? Can you break the patterns of family psychology that you are born into?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently putting together my next feature film ATTICUS BROWN IS STILL HERE which was up for the Sloan grant for Sundance, Tribeca and Hamptons. The film is a teen bullying coming of age story. We are already in progress, putting the pieces together and will be shooting summer 2018.

Interview: October 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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Beauty Mark

Length: 87 minutes

Director: Harris Doran

Producer: Bridget Berger, Penny Edmiston, Harris Doran, Corey Moosa, Penny Edmiston

Writer: Harris Doran

About the writer, director and producer:

Harris Doran is an award-winning writer, director and producer.

For more info: www.harrisdoran.com

Key cast: Auden Thornton, Catherine Curtin, Laura Bell Bundy, Jeff Kober, Deirdre Lovejoy, Madison Iseman

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distributors, journalists

Social media handles: #BeautyMarkFilm

Facebook: www.facebook.com.beautymarkfilm

Twitter: www.twitter.com/filmbeautymark

Made in association with: Madison Square Films, The Group Entertainment, in association with Hideout Pictures

Where will the film screen in the next month? Austin Film Festival (Oct 27th & Nov 1st), St Louis International Film Festival