POWFest - The Third Dad
A daughter sets out to find the grave of her estranged, alcoholic father.
Interview with Writer/Director Theresa Moerman Ib
Watch The Third Dad here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I'm a visual artist and have always been inspired by documentaries, so I wanted to try my own hand at filmmaking. Finding out what happened to my dad after he died was something that had weighed heavily on me for that past eight years. I knew I needed to go on this journey, and making a film felt like the best way to approach this mammoth task in a way that enabled me to share it with others.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To see a personal documentary told in a different way that will hopefully inspire you to think about your own life and your relationship with those closest to you.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I've always responded to autobiographical stories. I feel I can identify with them on an emotional level, and that makes me feel less isolated and alone. I wanted to pass that feeling on to others by opening up about something personal. Families affected by alcoholism are found everywhere, but it's such an invisible problem. Because of stigma no one talks about what happens behind closed doors. Death is also a subject we avoid talking about, because it's uncomfortable and brings up emotions. But eventually we will all lose someone we love, and this connects us across cultures and borders.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Well, it's a documentary, so a lot of things changed along the way! It's a very unpredictable genre. You set out with a firm idea of where you're going, but you have to go with the flow and see what happens, and be open to changing direction all the time. For example, I didn't know that I'd find the man who knew my father for the last ten years of his life. He was the key to unlocking a lot of knowledge about my dad at a time when I was estranged from him. Although I initially interviewed many other people, including other members of my family, during the editing process my conversation with this unexpected character stood out as the one that was most important to telling the story. It was something I couldn't have predicted.
The Third Dad
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Audiences have been incredibly positive and supportive. It's been heartwarming and overwhelming. Often complete strangers will come up to me after a screening, or contact me after watching the film somewhere, and tell me how one of their parents is an alcoholic, or how the film touched them and made them think about their own family relationships.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was obviously concerned people would respond negatively to such a personal story, or that they would feel they couldn't relate. It's been wonderful to see that I've managed to touch so many people the way I hoped.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd like to reach as many people as possible. The issues raised in the film aren't specific to country, social status, gender or race. Seeing the film may help someone talk about what they're going through, make them want to work through their own grief, provide comfort at a difficult time - or something else I can't predict.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'd be delighted to be approached by film festival directors and journalists who are moved by the film, would like to screen it, or thinks it's a good conversation starter that's worth sharing to a wider audience.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ideally, I'd like if people are moved by the story and encouraged to share their own experiences. The ultimate impact would be to help someone come to terms with their grief and inspire hope.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How can reconnecting with someone who has died in a creative way help to process grief?
The Third Dad
Would you like to add anything else?
I recently saw a documentary about the The Phone of the Wind, a phone booth in rural Japan, which allows those left behind to speak with loved ones they have lost, metaphorically speaking. I think it's a beautiful idea that can be a healthy and poetic way to navigate through extreme grief. The Third Dad was my own personal version of The Phone of the Wind. Hopefully, it can inspire others to find a way to keep someone's memory alive, to express things left unsaid, and ultimately, to move on.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Director Theresa Moerman Ib is currently working on two short experimental documentaries as well as engaging with her visual arts practice.
Producer Richard Warden is currently Film Curator for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival as well as developing various documentary projects.
Interview: March 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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The Third Dad
A daughter sets out to find the grave of her estranged, alcoholic father.
Length:
10 mins
Director:
Theresa Moerman Ib
Producer:
Richard Warden
Writer:
Theresa Moerman Ib
About the writer, director and producer:
Director Theresa Moerman Ib is a Danish/Dutch filmmaker based in Scotland with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Photography from the Glasgow School of Art.
Producer Richard Warden is a Canadian filmmaker based in Scotland. He is also Film Curator for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.
Key cast:
Theresa Moerman Ib, Cees Moerman, Jean Kaiser
Social media handles:
Facebook:
Twitter:
@thethirddad
Instagram:
@thethirddad
Other:
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Funders: Scottish Documentary Institute, Creative Scotland, Channel 4
Made in association with: Middlefish Films, Scottish Documentary Institute, Creative Scotland, Channel 4, Edinburgh College of Art
Where can I see it in the next month?
SCENECS International Debut Film Festival (Netherlands), Vimeo Staff Pick and various locations on the 2016/17 LUNAFEST tour