Setting Sun Film Festival - The Other Man
A modern, young bride flounders upon hearing that the best man used to be in love with her groom. With the wedding in chaos, she must confront the greatest threat to her marriage - herself.
Interview with Director/Writer/Co-Producer Sher-Li Tan
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
There was a time I was frustrated that there weren’t any movies I wanted to watch at the cinema, and the idea for The Other Man was born. I wanted to watch stories that had not been told before, stories that offered characters that were flawed and relatable. As a result, this story of a wife discovering her prejudice with her husband’s best friend emerged.
To me, it represented an opportunity to explore casual bigotry, and how it stems from an irrational place inside all of us. More importantly, I wanted to tell a story about how we can always change for the better when confronted with the truth of our imperfections.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you are looking for a flawed female character, and are also interested in marriage equality, then this is a film you would want to watch.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Discrimination is a common personal experience shared by everyone, whether they are the ones being affected or the one effecting it. We looked to explore casual bigotry, tolerance and acceptance in our short film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The concept was first pitched as a non-dialogue short film, but it changed drastically in tone, length and style. What never changed was the essence of the story; about a woman who was confronted by the best man’s feelings for her husband, and then confronted by her own bigotry.
The story has strong LGBTQI themes, and while it was written from the cis-gender, straight character’s point-of-view, it was crucial to us that the script benefited from the input of the community. We engaged a script consultant and other peers from the LGBTQI community to provide feedback and critique. These changes were then added to later drafts of the script.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have been responding positively to the film, and we are pleased that the film has resonated well with different types of audiences.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One feedback that repeatedly comes up is the confusion over the sexuality of the groom. Someone often assumes the groom’s orientation (e.g. bisexual) in their feedback and other people chime in with their opinions. What is pleasantly surprising to me is that as quickly as it happens, the consensus quickly reached is that it is irrelevant to the story. I had expected a much greater resistance and for the confusion to be troubling, but generally most viewers are willing to accept a character’s unknown sexuality with little to no questions asked. It’s a heartening sign of progress.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We Are Moving Stories is an amazing, uplifting website that supports female and other short filmmakers by featuring their work and creative process. We are very proud to have our film be one of the many stories it shares.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are currently seeking opportunities for our film to have a wider distribution in Australia not just within the festival circuit, but also on new media (e.g. online). International interest is a bonus.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Marriage equality in Australia is on top of that list! On a practical level, I would love for it to get people to think about and question the preconceptions they hold. There’s such an unhealthy lack of tolerance for differing opinions that judgement is swift and everyone is reactionary. I think we’ve forgotten that we are all imperfect beings and that we can change.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
“If we are all secretly biased, how can we do better?”
Would you like to add anything else?
This film could not have been made without the generosity of our sponsors – our family, friends, mentors and collaborators. The knowledge, emotional and monetary support they have thrown behind this film has been incredible. Thank you so much.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Sher-Li Tan (Director/Writer/Co-Producer) is currently directing a short documentary. She is also developing a feature film. She recently worked on a TV series and mockumentary as an art department intern and assistant director respectively.
Victor Chia (Producer) is now developing a documentary, 'Project One | Community Grounds', and a short, 'She Screams'. Both are scheduled to release this year and/or to be entered into film festivals.
Sherida Good (Cinematographer) has worked on a variety of eclectic and exciting projects since ‘The Other Man’. She recently camera operated on a narrative short, music video and local documentary feature. Sherida also worked on Australia’s first underwater Virtual Reality documentary series as a production assistant.
Josh Hanger (Editor/Grader) is currently working for Leda, a boutique production company that creates content for effective leadership and behavioral change. Content include short videos, interviews, cartoons and games.
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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The Other Man
A modern, young bride flounders upon hearing that the best man used to be in love with her groom. With the wedding in chaos, she must confront the greatest threat to her marriage - herself.
Length: 10 minutes
Director: Sher-Li Tan
Producer: Victor Chia, Sher-Li Tan
Writer: Sher-Li Tan
About the writer, director and producer:
Writer/Director/Producer
Sher-Li Tan is an emerging director/producer with experience in short form films, documentaries, and web-series. A cultural nomad, qualified speech pathologist and now a film undergraduate at SAE Melbourne, she hopes to use her experience to tell stories that are meaningful and enriching.
Producer
Victor Chia (Producer) is a hip hop and jazz-hop musician under the name Cino Vix. He content produces, working alongside many businesses and other amazingly gifted creatives in promoting their arts.
Key cast:
Fiona - Dominque Hamilton
Ray – Kurtis Lowden
Greg – Michael Mission
Bridget (Maid of Honour) – Genevieve Brott
Sam – Bikramjeet Singh
Pauline (Celebrant) – Sandy Morrison
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
We would love to meet any distributors and film festival directors who would enjoy our film's message and would like to get it to a wider audience.
Social media handles:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheOtherMan0/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/The_Other_Man0
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_other_man0/
Funders:
Pozible
Made in association with:
SAE Institute, Melbourne
Where can I see it in the next month?
Setting Sun Film Festival 2017
*PICTURES BELOW*