Beverly Hills Film Festival - Garth’s Place
Thirty years ago, Garth acquired desert land which has since become a refuge and healing place for many wanderers.
Interview with Director Emiliana Ammirata and Blair Pennington
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This short documentary was inspired by the harmony between people and nature seen at Boulder Gardens. Not only did we see people who had overcome drug addiction, but they had become leaders within this community that encourages sustainable living in the desert.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Everyone can learn something from the characters in Garth’s Place. We all struggle to find a place to call our own and finding that amidst the craziness of immigration, addiction, and religion seems impossible — but that’s exactly what these characters are able to accomplish.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Ultimately, this film is about finding a home. Undertones of spirituality and struggles we face through out our lives play in each character’s story. Naturally, certain viewers will identify more with one character than another, but each brings a new voice to the film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
When we started this film, we wanted to focus solely on the permaculture that happens at Boulder Gardens. Obviously, that has changed a lot. When we started learning how Boulder Gardens came to exist through Garth’s love for meeting new people, and when we met Nick and Michaela, it became clear that we wanted to focus more on the stories that intertwine with the desert. Garth has been a guide for Nick and Michaela as they find themselves and each other.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
One thing that people always comment on is the amazing cinematography. Most of that is thanks to Emiliana, who taught herself photography and cinematography since coming to the US. Boulder Gardens has many opportunities for beautiful photography and Emiliana was able to capture all of it in her “dancing” style of filmmaking.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One piece of feedback that continues to surprise me is the universal appreciation of Garth’s philosophy. In a time when everything seems controversial, finding love between people and nature will always be applauded.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We Are Moving Stories is a wonderful organization that supports female-led films, which is something Emiliana and I are both passionate about. We both hope the story will gain a larger audience from this organization, but moreover hope that this audience will see a story that has been so well received and that they will acknowledge that two female filmmakers made it possible.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
As a student film, we do all of the producing and marketing on our own. Obviously, this is a lot of work for such a small production, and any help from buyers, distributors, or film festival directors is appreciated.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To see this film uniting people from different perspectives is mine and Emiliana’s goal. A small desert community seems an unlikely place for people to come together, but that is exactly what Boulder Gardens and this film work towards.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think this film makes people question what they would gain from living at Boulder Gardens. Viewers should ask themselves how they can learn from harmony with nature.
Would you like to add anything else?
This film could not have been made without our faculty advisor Sally Rubin and our other teammate Colin Arp!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Blair focuses on documentary and is currently directing and editing a film called “Sanctum”. “Sanctum” follows the relationship of an abused horse and his rescuer as she works to gain his trust and find him a new home. Next, Blair will be directing her thesis documentary and is in preproduction and development stages.
Emiliana has just finished directing a short film and is moving into preproduction of her next short. It's the story of a young indigenous girl in the Venezuelan Amazon that desires to develop her artistic skills, but is repressed by her culture and the society.
Interview: April 2017
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Garth’s Place
Thirty years ago, Garth acquired desert land which has since become a refuge and healing place for many wanderers.
Length: 16 minutes
Director: Emiliana Ammirata and Blair Pennington
Producer: Blair Pennington
About the writer, director and producer:
Emiliana was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Emiliana believes that every pair of eyes has a different point of view to tell.
Born and raised in Southern California, Blair seeks unique ways to portray the subcultures and different perspectives that sometimes go unnoticed.
Key cast: Garth Bowles, Nick Cullers, Michaela Mokrosova
Made in association with: Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts