Cannes Short Film Corner - Cinder Pumpkin
Fed up of being stepped on and treated like less at school, Cinder Ellen James takes a chance to become a part of the social world to which the gorgeous, unreachable Max belongs, surrendering to a night of fun, passion and wild twists that will either destroy her or raise her to the highest level of teenage greatness. Will becoming a "princess" be worth it? Or will Cinder discover she is better off as a "pumpkin" ?
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Stephanie “Fi” Dieter
Watch Cinder Pumpkin on Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was a year into film school and we were encouraged to write something we knew a lot about for our first film. I remember being in directing class and suddenly hearing a high-pitch, feisty little voice talking to me, asking me to draw up the courage to tell her story. I started to remember this girl who had never been good at making friends, who had been labeled as one of the earliest victims of bullying in one of the most prestigious private schools in Mexico City, who dreaded going to school but pushed through every single day because she knew in her heart that one day, her life would be completely different and she would live happily ever after making movies in Los Angeles. I knew her pain because I felt it still… only now I knew how to turn it into a script. And I did. And here we are.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
In its core, Cinder Pumpkin is an inspiring, colorful, bubbly tale that explores the importance of being who we truly are. Cinder Ellen James is the kind of girl you remember forever. She isn’t the hottest or the most coordinated but she is kind, smart, and fights against all odds to make it through all the challenges life throws at her. And what’s best, she learns that she doesn’t have to change who she is in order for others to like her. In a world of Cinderellas, she feels she’s better off being a Pumpkin because to her, that means being authentic. So I guess it’s safe to say that in this film you can expect to see a visceral coming of age story, as experienced by somebody who sees the world through a very unique pair of glasses.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The whole premise of the film was inspired from a personal situation I’m sure many people can relate to; When I was 12 years old, I fell in love with a boy who didn’t love me back and who, for the next seven years, used my feelings for him to his advantage. Everyone could see it except for me, but being the ambitious go-getter I’ve always been, his constant rejection didn’t stop me from trying to win him over. At it’s core, Cinder Pumpkin is a story about friendship, unrequited love and the power of overcoming very hard obstacles in early adulthood to end up finding that we should always be true to who we are despite what other people think.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
When I wrote and directed the film back in 2013, I was working mostly out of instinct. I knew I has a lot to learn still but I wanted to experiment and give myself a chance to prove what I was capable of doing just with my raw talent. Making the film was a learning experience on its own and I learned by doing it essentially. Now that we’re in development for a feature based on the same concept, I look back and I’m able to analyze which elements worked effectively in order to re-incorporate them into our new film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film has now played all over the world, from our premiere at the LA Shorts Fest all the way to the Women Director’s Film Festival in New Delhi, and each time, I learn something new about the story (and myself) because of the many ways that people connect to and interpret the material. I don’t watch the film nearly as much as I watch the audience and I study the specific moments that evoke an emotional connection. I was particularly surprised in New York when our audience at the Manhattan Film Festival was cracking up with all the little bits of improv that made it into the final cut. When we screened in Mexico City for example, the audience was most attracted to the subject matter and understood exactly what kind of person our villain is because he is modeled after a stereotypical Mexican jock, like the ones I knew back in high school. Nevertheless, everybody that has watched the film and talked to be about it afterwards has been very gracious and expressed how much they connected and responded to the message.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I would say it has done both. It was surprised me because we have come to extreme lengths to get the film to where it is right now, but that kind of exposure has also forced me to challenge myself and my capabilities as an artist. I can assure you that after Cannes, the bar I set for myself is pretty high up there.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love for more minority filmmakers (especially female writer / directors) to learn about my journey and see that no labels like “first-timer”, “student” or even “woman” can stop them from getting where they want to in this industry. There are many times when they will be discouraged from dreaming of greatness and I want my story to serve as an example that you can do anything you set out to do if you have the persistence and the willingness to work hard to get there.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Right now, all our efforts are geared towards securing financing for our feature based on Cinder Pumpkin. We already have three active national and international TV distribution deals for the short and are always open to considering more if there are any interested parties out there.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I would certainly encourage anybody who’s interested in this film to ask themselves if they are living their life to their full potential by being authentic and honest about who they really are. We live in a world where “likes” and “insta-followers” are more valuable than real human interaction, where standards of beauty are causing shockingly alarming rates of eating disorders, low self-esteem and even suicide, and sadly, where young generations who will have the future of our society in their hands are rotting to the core with no values. I want my films, both Cinder Pumpkin and its upcoming feature adaptation, to serve as a wake up call for millennial audiences and their parents. I want everybody who watches my work to reflect on who they truly are and whether they’re honoring that or not in their every day lives.
Would you like to add anything else?
Taking on this project reaffirmed my belief that film isn’t something you do on a whim. You gotta want it more than you want anything else in life and you gotta earn in. There will be really good days and then tons of bad days where you think you’re going to die of this. But in the end, when those credits roll and your name is up on that screen for the entire world to see, you just know that life, God and the universe are fair to those who work hard and are in it to win it. Furthermore, it also taught me how life is capable of giving you exactly what you want… only in ways you never expected. One of my favorite authors on story structure, John Truby, says you have to write something that changes your life. With Cinder Pumpkin, that is the understatement of the century. This film gave me the most important thing in my life, my husband Travis. It also gave me a chance to showcase my abilities as a director and it allowed my to prove to myself that no dream is out of reach if only you have the courage and the patience to pursue it.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are currently in development for a feature based on the characters and themes from Cinder Pumpkin. However, we are digging deeper into the material in order to create a character drama that’s charming, gripping, funny, and that brings a deeply emotional perspective to the power of being yourself. I believe in my heart that there is a need original content that is relevant and authentic. It is my desire to provide a fresh look into the lives of those who are poorly represented, but highly relatable to a young millennial audience worldwide. Arthouse cinema with a universal appeal.
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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Cinder Pumpkin
Fed up of being stepped on and treated like less at school, Cinder Ellen James takes a chance to become a part of the social world to which the gorgeous, unreachable Max belongs, surrendering to a night of fun, passion and wild twists that will either destroy her or raise her to the highest level of teenage greatness. Will becoming a "princess" be worth it? Or will Cinder discover she is better off as a "pumpkin" ?
Length: 15:44
Director: Stephanie “Fi” Dieter
Producer: Stephanie “Fi” Dieter / Maan B.
Writer: Stephanie “Fi” Dieter
About the writer, director and producer: Fi Dieter is a Austrian-Mexican award-winning director, screenwriter and producer. Her work has been featured in festivals all over the world and always carry some sort of social theme.
Maan B. is a line producer and actor from Saudi Arabia.
Dieter came up with the name of his production company, Prince of Arabia Entertainment, and was actively involved in the company’s first two years of operation.
Key cast: Travis Daniel Brown as Max, Jacquelynn Camden as Cinder, Billy McCartney as Tom and Danielle Stritmatter as Alex
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Sales agents, financing, buyers, distributors
Social media handles: #CinderPumpkin #TapeHausCinema
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinderpumpkinmovie/
Twitter: @iamcinesteph
Instagram: @CineSteph
Other: www.stephaniedieter.com / www.cinderpumpkin.com / www.tapehaus.com
Funders: Stedica Film - Carlos Dieter & Mini Caraza (Executive Producers)
Made in association with: Tape Haus Cinema in association with Prince of Arabia Entertainment
Where can I see it in the next month?
Cinder Pumpkin will be screening at the Filmmaker’s Institute Award Showcase at the 70th Cannes Film Festival on May 26th, 2017 at 8:30 PM at the Olympia 2 Theater.