Cannes Short Film Corner - The Black Ghiandola
THE BLACK GHIANDOLA is about a young man risking his life to save a young girl he has grown to love, after his family has been killed in the Apocalyptic world of Zombies
Interview with Producer Tamika Lamison
Watch The Black Ghiandola here:
Main photo: Johnny Depp as Med Tech in danger with Zombie
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We made the film, 'The Black Ghiandola' all because of Anthony Conti. Make A Film Foundation's mission is to grant film wishes to children who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions by teaming them with noted writers, actors, directors and producers who help them to create short film legacies. Anthony Conti was a 16 year old filmmaker with very aggressive stage 4 Cancer. He reached out to us because he had heard of our organization and he wanted to write and star in his own Hollywood Horror (Zombie) Film. His personal story was so compelling and his passion and desire so profound that we felt really compelled to help him fulfill his dream.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I believe you should watch this film first and foremost because it is an example of how a really cool story can be told in short form. But also because it shows you what it is like when people come together to contribute, support and give their heart to a project simply because they are inspired to make it happen- inspired to make a kids' dream come true- and in the biggest way. It is also a very moving example of why film is so important- because people and stories can live forever through film. This was what Anthony wanted and he did it. This film is an extraordinary example of what can happen when Hollywood simply shows up in the most altruistic way and gives and gives and gives.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In this film the universal themes of family, love, courage, self-sacrifice all are highlighted as the main character has to deal with the loss of his family to the zombies, his own courage in protecting the girl he has come to love and sacrificing himself to save her. A lot of these particular themes were personal to Anthony on some very visceral levels. He took artistic license in how the scenarios unfolded- but they were personal to him.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This script and film were created super fast. When we were asked to do a project for Anthony Conti, we were told it was extremely time sensitive due to his Cancer. We brought Anthony out to LA in November for 2 weeks, right after we agreed to do his project. We shot the film in 5 days over 2 weeks with 3 directors. The script only had 2 weeks to evolve so it stuck pretty close to that. The original script had more blood and guts and story and a lot more pop-violence. But we simply didn't have the time to shoot all of that with our super tight schedule so Sam Raimi spoke to Anthony about what to cut and what to keep and they agreed on the best way to keep the best of everything while streamlining the story. In post we got a lot of great help from some Visual FX companies like FUSE FX and Technicolor really helped us pull things together. One big surprise was that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross did the music in post.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback from the film has been phenomenal. Especially when we show the film in conjunction with the "Behind the Scenes" which is also on the DVD. People are really amazed that we did this film in such a short time, in this unique way with all of these major Hollywood heavies donating their time. It really is quite remarkable. And people really fall in love with Make A Film Foundation the organization as well as the film. So the awareness component is exponential.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feed back hasn't surprised or challenged my point of view in general. But the one thing that has surprised me is that people who generally don't like zombie/horror movies- or movies with a lot of blood and guts- see past all of that to the heart and theme of this movie. Anthony basically told the story of his Cancer in the framework of a Zombie film. And that really moves people. He had Adrenal Cortical Cancer and the zombies in the film attack the adrenal glands because it makes them stronger. An obvious parallel for Anthony and his disease.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are hoping to bring more awareness to Make A Film Foundation and our cause as well as to the film "The Black Ghiandola" itself by having it more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We need all of the above to come on board: Distributors, film festival directors, journalists, buyers, producers, agents, financiers, filmmakers, philanthropists- we would like all of the help and support we can get for this project as well as past and future projects.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would like this film to inspire people to dream big and be vigilant about pursing their passion and their purpose and if they can make a difference while doing that- even better. We want people to love the film but we also want them to love the cause. Because we believe that filmmaking in this way can be healing, cathartic and therapeutic for all involved- not just for the children who participate but for all of those who contribute in any way- be it through donation, their time and talent, resources, in-kind services- anything. It all makes a difference and it all makes an impact.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the key question that will spark a debate about this film is - After watching this film- do you believe that anything is possible? Anthony Conti's body was literally being eaten away by an aggressive Cancer that took his life within 6 months of diagnosis. Yet he managed to Alchemically with pure will, courage and vision make his dream come true in what some would say was an impossible way. So my question is - do you believe that you can make your dreams come true? Can you make the impossible possible? (I think we all have the capacity to do so.)
Would you like to add--anything else?
I would like to say that I believe this project was deeply moving, inspiring and transformational for Anthony Conti and all who worked on it- it certainly was so for me. It happened in the most amazing way in a super short amount of time. We did not think we were prepared and we actually weren't- but once we sad 'Yes' to Anthony and his vision- the Universe- and all of Hollywood- conspired to make this Big Dream unfold in a phenomenal way. There really are no words to describe how incredible everyone was who contributed to this film. It was truly special in every way. And we are so lucky that Anthony got to not only live his dream- but got to 'live' forever on the big screen.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Personally, as a Producer- I just Produced a Feature Film called "Last Life" with Michael Phillip Edwards who wrote and directed it. We both star in it. Juvee productions (Julius Tennon and Viola Davis' company) saw the film and have expressed interest in the piece (Exec. Prod: Sparkling City Ent. & Fictive Artists). We are excited about this film, its subject matter and the conversations we believe it will inspire. The film deals with love, race, forgiveness and purpose in the space of two lovers and their many lives together.
Adele Renee (Casting/Producer) is in Cannes with the Premiere of David Lynch's Twin Peaks- she is a character in that show.
Bettina Fisher (Producer) is also in Cannes promoting a couple of her scripts: Jazzman and Wit, Will and Walls.
All three of our Directors are currently directing new projects: Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures), Catherine Hardwicke (Twlight) and Sam Raimi (Spiderman Trilogy).
All of our actors are also working/promoting new projects. David Lynch is here in Cannes for Twin Peaks. Johnny Depp is of course promoting "Pirates of the Caribbean", J.K. Simmons is always working, he has Justice League in post and Batman is coming up. Chad L. Coleman just completed "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland", Laura Dern is in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" among other things. Our cast and crew are busy. So it makes us that much more grateful that they all took time out of their schedules to volunteer/show-up for Make A Film Foundation and Anthony Conti's Film "The Black Ghiandola".
Interview: May 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 Black Ghiandola
THE BLACK GHIANDOLA is about a young man risking his life to save a young girl he has grown to love, after his family has been killed in the Apocalyptic world of Zombies
Length: 16 minutes
Director: Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures) and Sam Raimi (Spiderman Trilogy)
Producer: Tamika Lamison, Adele Rene, Bettina Fisher
Writer: Anthony Conti, Scott Kosar, Wash Westmoreland
About the writer, director and producer: (25 words each)
Writers: Anthony Conti- filmmaker/kid with stage 4 Cancer who wanted to make a Hollywood film. Scott Kosar- wrote the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", Wash Westmoreland- wrote and directed "Still Alice".
Directors: Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), Theodore Melfi (Writer/Director-Hidden Figures & Academy Award nominee) and Sam Raimi (Spiderman Trilogy)
Producers: Tamika Lamison has produced several 'Make A Film Foundation Projects and recently finished producing and starring in the feature film "Last Life" with writer/director Michael Phillip Edwards. The project has interest from Juvee Productions (Julius Tennon and Viola Davis' company).
Adele Rene ( Producer/Casting)- currently starring in "Twin Peaks"
Bettina Fisher- (Producer) Director of Educational Initiatives at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and writer producer with scripts in development.
Key cast: Anthony Conti, Johnny Depp, J.K. Simmons, Laura Dern, Jade PettyJohn, David Lynch, Richard Chamberlain, Penelope Ann Miller, Chad L. Coleman, Keith Allan, Pritesh Shah
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
We are looking for distributors, buyers, film festival directors, journalists, producers and financiers
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeafilmfoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Makeafilmfnd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeafilmfoundation/
Other:
Funders: Make A Film Foundation & Lost Lane Entertainment & Fictive Artists Entertainment & Cristen Coppen
Made in association with: Plan U Productions
Where can I see it in the next month?
We will be at a couple of other film festivals but the movie is available for donation on line at: wwww.makeafilmfoundation.org