The dance film is an epitome of the challenges a family face during the weekly food gathering routine.

Interview with Writer/Director Anna Maria Joakimsdottir-Hutri

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I had the urge to do a dance film using the postmodern dance movement discourse as a tool for the storytelling.

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

It's an unusual film telling us about something ordinary recognisable and my film, with its subtle humour and warmth could relieve the tension you might feel facing these situation when you wonder why you got into the duties of parenting.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

When I drew the outlines of each character I had the system of the five classical elements in mind and organised their energies to counteract each other like the elements do. I also had an Idea of an alchemical dramaturgy that would take the viewer on a journey from the base of the earth element: the family into the unifying spiritual aether which would happen when the family shares the same sphere - the melon.

Through the supermarket in five easy pieces

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

Well in the beginning the script looked like a character list. It seemed more appropriate for the sake of dance. Then the script turned into a location list because of the requirements of the film industry. Three weeks before the shooting we threw the script away entirely and focused only on the choreography for each scene.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Everyone can relate in one way or another. I showed it to a bunch of six years old and their parents and the kids thought it was a comedy and the parents definitely perceived it as a horror movie.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Well I guess I was positively surprised that the film communicated with both children and grown-ups.

Through the supermarket in five easy pieces Director Anna Maria Joakimsdottir-Hutri

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

As I'm a strong visual storyteller, I am hoping that the film could give me some more opportunities for Directing. I'm a great fan of the new wave of super quality series that has boomed since the market for vod distribution boosted the possibilities for making intelligent and attractive drama. To me the new wave quality series are a really thrilling potential.

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

Publicity is always a boost for an all ready made project. For my up coming projects I'm looking for co-producers.

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

I'd hope that the language of dance expression for narrative storytelling could gain more recognition.

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

Why do we sacrifice our mental health for the sake of parenting?

Through the supermarket in five easy pieces- Behind the scenes

Would you like to add anything else?

Check out my website: www.tottemoproduction.com

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

The dop has a lot of commercial gigs at the moment.

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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Through the supermarket in five easy pieces. The dance film is an epitome of the challenges a family face during the weekly food gathering routine.

Length: 8 min 40 sec

Director: Anna Maria Joakimsdottir-Hutri

Producer: Petteri Lehtinen / Valve King oy

Writer: Anna Maria Joakimsdottir-Hutri

About the writer, director and producer:

Directors biography:

I am a filmmaker and storyteller based in the heart of Scandinavia. With roots from both the Icelandic sagas and the Danish new wave drama I've been nourishing my talent of storytelling in the compelling silence of the Finnish marshlands. First art school brought me to Finland but then love made me stay now twenty years later it is time to move on to new horizons.

In my Mary Poppins bag I have films, theatre play, scripts and short stories as well as some commercial videos. With a base in the field of Photography I have a strong visual language that emphasises atmosphere and moods. My strongest tool for creating something is a deep, sympathetic, emotional connection to the surrounding world and the people and life within it. I have a detailed and specific sense of changes in energies and subtle intentions and often I anticipate the upcoming just by picking up the present moment in all its multitude.

Directors short-film filmography:

2017 / Through the supermarket in five easy pieces

2011 / George & Lydia

2009 / Blue dolphine

2009 / the Apple thieves

2006 / SAM

2001 / Lilja

Key cast: Elina von Bagh, Andrius Katinas, Eedit Patrakka

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

Social media handles: https://www.tottemoproduction.com/artisteri/Through-the-supermarket-in-five-easy-pieces

Funders: The Finnish Film Foundation, YLE, AVEK, Loikka Dance Film organisation

Where can I see it in the next month?

At these up-coming festivals: Leeds Film Festival, St Luis Film Festival, Short Sounds Festival