Bentonville Film Festival - CinemAbility
A humorous and thought-provoking look at disability in film and television, from the silent era to today.
Interview with writer/director/producer Jenni Gold
Watch CinemAbility on Prime Video, Google Play and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made “CinemAbility” because it is a fascinating story that has never been told before. Also, I thought it was important to shed a light on the way the media shapes the perception of people in society by perpetuating stereotypes. So my goal was not only to tell an entertaining and enlightening film, but also make a plea to Hollywood, and future creators out there, to take notice of this responsibility and do better.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
People should watch this film because it’s funny, entertaining, and ultimately an enlightening film. My co-writer and I worked extremely hard to make the film humorous and relatable to a lot of people, to “make the medicine go down easier.” We knew that making a documentary about people with disabilities had its own stigma, and we wanted to try to eliminate that to make a film that virtually everyone could find engaging. Whether you’re a film buff or a filmmaker, a person with a disability or someone who’s ever felt outcast or forgotten, this film has something for everyone.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In CinemAbility, the personal themes drive the universal themes to make an unmistakeable plea for inclusion, acceptance, and understanding, specifically as it regards to people who are different and the media portrayals of people who are different because these portrayals have real impact on those who watch them. As a person with a disability I am constantly reminded about my insignificance by the way Hollywood continues to portray us. Even when we’re wealthy and in love, we still want to kill ourselves, at least according to last year's novel adaptation of “Me Before You.” So I layered messaging in the film by showing examples through history of what’s acceptable and what’s not, and how these portrayals advance, and how certain stereotypes persist, and then give real life examples of how film and TV portrayals can have real social impact when sensitive material is handled responsibly.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Back when I thought this project would maybe only take a few years, I also thought that the theme would be rather straightforward: Though there have been some stumbling blocks along the way, portrayals are better now than they ever have been. And, as a trend, this is mostly true. But on the whole, far from it. And worse, the portrayals that reinvigorate the worst stereotypes seem to be the films getting the most attention! Showered with accolades and Academy Awards. So, the direction of the film started changing. Rather than showing that everything was better now, the focus became more about the impact these portrayals have on those who watch them, and how the lack of diversity behind the scenes continues to result in the lack of diverse stories on the screen.
And then, of course, there was the edit. We researched hundreds of films and television shows, and interviewed over 60 advocates, celebrities, studio heads and filmmakers, resulting in thousands of hours of footage to cull through. Our assembly cut was 5 hours long. So, in the editing room, a lot of sculpting and shaping took place in order to craft the message that we really wanted to resonate. And of course, as new films were released during the ten years it took to produce, they continued to shape the project.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Honestly, we have received nothing but positive feedback. My favorite, though, are the people who come up to me afterwards and say “You know, I really didn’t want to come here tonight…” or “My friend asked me to come, and I almost didn’t”, or some other excuse for how they got there before saying “But I absolutely loved your film.” I’m not one to sit and brag about my work, and if anything, I’m my toughest critic. I would love nothing more than to crack the film back open and work on it a little more, but it is immensely gratifying to have complete strangers approach me and tell me what my work means to them. And because of that type of feedback, I really do think this film can help make a difference.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has surprised me by how universally positive it has been. Again, I’m not one to brag, so I’ve been truly overwhelmed by everyone’s support. As far as challenging the point of view, I think it’s hard to do, which is why we are getting such praise. I think people’s eyes really are being opened to the lack of diversity they are seeing on screen, and the important impact that this type of inclusion has, not only on the minority group being represented, but to other people who learn about other groups of people through these portrayals. It was eye opening for us, as filmmakers, to see how profound this impact is, and I think as we share what we have found, others are impacted in similarly powerful ways. Again, the film speaks to everyone, which is something we definitely strived for, so it is exciting to watch it have that impact.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are trying to start a movement; A Campaign for Inclusion to open people’s minds about diversity so that minorities of all types, but specifically people with disabilities, have more opportunities provided than before. As long as people with disabilities are pitied, or looked down on, or thought unable to hold positions of power, responsibility, or even a minimum wage job, they won’t be given those opportunities. Our film shows how we have shaped the perception of this Invisible Minority through media depictions, and how if we can be more inclusive in the media, the world around us can, and will, follow suit.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
If we are truly going to change the world, than we need everybody on board we can get. We need writers, directors, producers, casting agents and studio heads to seek more diversity in the stories, and more authentic portrayals across the board. We need sales agents and distributors to see the important message of the film so that they support us and help get the film out as widely as possible, and we need the public to support the film, share the film on Facebook or Twitter, and join our Campaign for Inclusion so that we can work together to build a better community for everyone.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We will not rest until this film helps change the perception of people with disabilities and creates new opportunities for them, both in Hollywood, and in the real world.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why is there always one minority group that is consistently left out of diversity conversations, despite the fact that it is one of the largest, with 56 million Americans, and crosses the boundaries of every other minority boundary: race, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for giving us this platform to promote our film and our message. We can’t do it without the support of our fans and members of the press.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The Gold Pictures Team (Producer Jeff Maynard, Director Jenni Gold, & Writer Sam Reed) is currently in post production on their latest narrative feature film, due in late 2017.
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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CinemAbility
A humorous and thought-provoking look at disability in film and television, from the silent era to today.
Length:
100 minutes
Director:
Jenni Gold
Producer:
Jenni Gold, Jeff Maynard
Writer:
Jenni Gold, Samuel W. Reed
About the writer, director and producer:
Jenni Gold - Writer, Director & Producer who founded Gold Pictures in 2001 after completing her debut feature, before embarking on her magnum opus “CinemAbility."
Jeff Maynard - Former Sr. VP of Worldwide Post Production for The Weinstein Company, Jeff has served as a consultant for Netflix, Relativity Media, & Roundabout Entertainment, among others.
Samuel W. Reed - Screenwriter and film producer best known for his work on "CinemAbility," "Aaah Roach," and the SXSW audience award winning film “Take Me To The River."
Key cast:
Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Marlee Matlin, Jane Seymour, Gary Sinise, Geena Davis, William H. Macy, RJ Mitte, Geri Jewell, Camryn Manheim, Gale Anne Hurd, Beau Bridges, Peter Farrelly, Vince Gilligan, Ben Lewin
Social media handles:
Facebook:
Twitter:
@CinemAbility
@DirectorGold
@GoldPix
Instagram:
@CinemAbility
@jenni_goldpix
Other:
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Journalists - to help us spread the important message of the film
Distributors - to help us get the film out to a wide audience
Partners - to help us get the film released
Funders:
Private Investments
Made in association with:
Gold Pictures, BraunAbility
Where can I see it in the next month?
We hope to be in talks with distributors about how we can work together to get the film out to as wide an audience as possible, hopefully with the help of Bentonville Film Festival and Wal-Mart.