Bentonville Film Festival - Unbridled
Sarah has a secret that she doesn't want to keep. When a boy from her neighborhood exposes the truth, she is whisked away to Unbridled Ranch. There, she meets a horse named Dreamer, with a past as dark as her own. Together they find a way to claim a second chance at life.
Interview with Writer Bonné Bartron and Producer Christy McGlothlin
Watch Unbridled on Vudu, Prime Video and iTunes
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was originally approached to produce for Moving Visions Entertainment, but after going to the Corral Riding Academy in Cary, N.C. I was so moved by the people I met, and the stories I heard, that I knew I wanted to pen it.
If this film moves you, at all, please check out Corral. They take young women who have been victims of sex-trafficking and the like, and pair them with horses who have suffered abuse. It's amazing the success rate that Corral has with both the girls and the horses. They are true heroes.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
One of the worst things about sexual assault is the feeling of being completely broken, that the world will never see you as anything but a victim. This film challenges that stereotype while illuminating the fierce, passionate women who are working tirelessly to give that second chance to children who have been so horribly violated. It's my deepest hope that you walk away from this film realizing the kind of positive impact you are capable of, and have a renewed sense of determination to fulfill that path.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I chose to tell this story from the perspective of a girl who could live next door to you, because so often we think that our neighborhoods are immune to these kinds of situations, but that's exactly how they are perpetuated. We must talk about the uncomfortable things, and stare down what makes us want to look away! When we do, we can see, not just the horrors of what was, but the beauty of where we can be tomorrow.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
When I was brought onto this project it wasn't even this project. We all knew we wanted to make a movie to raise awareness about sex-trafficking and about what Corral was doing, pairing victims of heinous crimes with horses who had suffered abuse, but it came down to, how?
This film needed to be written to reach a general audience, but still show the truth of the trauma that people in these kinds of situations must overcome.
This is the first film I've ever written for a general audience, so the producers were constantly telling me to remove words like "crap" and things I would have never even thought of. It was a great challenge, like being a gluten-free baker!
As the writer, of course, those words are just words until a director comes in and brings it to life on-screen! I am so looking forward to seeing the final product at the Bentonville Film Festival! I'll be watching it for the first time, with all of you!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Not a lot of people have had a chance to screen it as it was just finished, in the nick of time, for a March festival! I know we did very well in that festival, and I am so looking forward to experiencing it with a theater full of filmmakers at B.F.F.!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I really love the script, I wrote it in a frenzy of inspiration, and I am sure that John David Ware did a wonderful job directing it! It will be very interesting to see how some of our fellow filmmakers feel about it!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think the best thing that could possibly happen, by having our film on this wonderful site, would be that it sparks a conversation! Honest dialogue about sex-trafficking is the first step to ending it! There were more than 7,500 reported cases of Americans who were victims of sex-trafficking in 2016, and it's estimated that there are thousands that go unreported for each one that is.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Ideally we would love the help of the press and social media personalities to amplify the reach of UNBRIDLED.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I know all of us on team UNBRIDLED want to remind people that today's horrors don't have to be permanent. There are people who will help you. There are people who you have never met who are fighting for you.
If you notice someone in a situation that doesn't seem healthy, intervene! Be an advocate, or alert another person to the situation. Be secure in the knowledge you really are doing the right thing.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How can you possibly tell a story about sex-trafficking that is appropriate for general audiences?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for watching our film, I hope you enjoy it!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Film Title: TOMORROW
Log-line: When illusive street artist Jax barges back into Hayley's life, after ten years of silence, she must choose her greatest love or take responsibility for the woman she's supposed to become.
Length: 103 pages
Director: To Be Announced
Producer: Bonné Bartron
Writer: Elissa Shay and Cary Haze
Film Title: Abducted
Log-line: When a series of strange disappearances plague the college town of Pueblo, Colorado, a couple of stoner girls may be the only ones who see the truth, but who will believe them?
Length: 113 pages
Director: Bonné Bartron
Producer: Elissa Shay, Michael Bergstrom
Writer: Bonné Bartron
About the writer, director and producer:
Bonné Bartron (writer) is an award winning writer, director, producer, and human rights activist living in Los Angeles, California. She is an active committee member of AWD (the Alliance of Women Directors). She is most proud of the fact that, as a director, she continues to helm an extremely talented crew, 50% are men and 50% are women.
Christy McGlothlin (producer) is Producer of Unbridled and an owner of Moving Visions, Inc. An author of two books on natural health, Christy has been a regular guest on news and talk shows focusing on lifestyle and health topics. Christy is also founder of KidCasts, an online video blog for kids and support for moms.
John David Ware (director) John David Ware is the founder and owner of 180 film festival, a faith focused short film competition in Los Angeles, CA.
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unbridledmovie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngryPuppyProductions/
Interview: April 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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Unbridled
Sarah has a secret that she doesn't want to keep. When a boy from her neighborhood exposes the truth, she is whisked away to Unbridled Ranch. There, she meets a horse named Dreamer, with a past as dark as her own. Together they find a way to claim a second chance at life.
Length: 1:52:50
Director: John David Ware
Producer: Christy McGlothlin
Writer: Bonné Bartron
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Journalists and Social Media Influencers
Funders: Our funding would like to remain anonymous