Bluestocking Film Festival - Terminal
An Irish girl and a woman meet in an airport departure gate. Before they board a plane to Manchester to seek a safe and legal abortion, we witness a private exchange as they share the different reasons that brought them to this moment, and the traumatic journey that awaits them.
Interview with Director Natasha Waugh
Watch Terminal here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made the film in response to a part of Ireland's legislation, called the 8th amendment, that relates to women's bodily autonomy. In a nutshell, it equates the pregnant women's right to life, with the life of a foetus, so it outlaws abortion. Talking about abortion in Ireland continues to be such a taboo. There are so many stories of women who leave Ireland daily to procure safe and legal abortion abroad. I was very inspired and moved by these women, and their stories. I wanted to put a face on these stories that are almost always faceless. I wanted to understand them better, and I wanted other people to understand it too.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because it will allow you to engage with a sensitive but important social issue, along with being a great piece of drama, with moving performances, and great visual flare. When you watch this film, you will, hopefully, be moved, and inspired.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the stories in this film apply to an issue that is really prevalent for women in Irish society at the moment, but also all over the world, women have to deal with problems that they face with their bodily autonomy being taken from them. Aside from that, I think seeing people in turmoil, is something anyone can empathise with, which is what we see here.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was changing constantly in it's detail when I was writing it, and all through pre-production. This wasn't my story, I'm no expert, and I wanted to make sure that I did these stories, and these women justice. I was very careful about representation. I watch documentaries, I researched abortion clinics in the UK (where a lot of Irish women go), I listened to women's testimonials of their own journeys. There's no real vocabulary for this here in Ireland, so I tried to get that across.
When it came to the edit, my editor cut together the montage at the very beginning that separates these women, so that we know that their own circumstance, and journey is their own. Initially, these snippets where scattered throughout the script, to break up the dialogue, but it worked so much better this way. Overall though, it was a very neat script and edit, so apart from that it really wasn't altered a huge amount in the cut.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been really incredible. On one level, we've had really favourable review of it as a film, and on another, I've had women come to me and tell me that they've had abortions, or how much the film has meant to them. It's been so humbling to know they've felt comfortable in opening up to me following the film. We even had one woman at the Irish Film Festival, Boston thanking me for the film while I was there. It feels like we got it right.
The critical acclaim has been wonderful for everyone involved too; we got nominated for numerous awards, including an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Academy) and at the London Critics Circle Film Awards. We also won two; Best Short film at Indie Cork Film & Music Festival, and director's choice at Irish Film Festival, Boston.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's reinforced my point of view of women's bodily autonomy for sure. We need to trust women. I'm pro-choice and the feedback has showed me that it's important for Ireland to have a referendum on this soon, to repeal the 8th amendment.
As a filmmaker, the feedback has been very life affirming. The success of it has helped me prove my ability as a director to myself, as well as others, and has also helped me think about where my voice as a director is.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It's always great to have any kind of publicity or exposure. For a site like we are moving stories to feature Terminal is great for being able to reach a broad audience of other filmmakers, festival directors, and journalists that we may not have access to before, or know to contact.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
For now, journalists I think. It's had a really healthy run on the festival circuit at this stage, and it's done well to get nominations at major awards ceremonies. It's coming to the end of it's time on the circuit so getting people to talk about it, and publicise it, so others can seek it out when we release it, would be great.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like Terminal to give people perspective on what is a really sensitive, and important issue for women. It's an emotional watch too, so I hope people enjoy it as a piece of drama, a piece of really good filmmaking too.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I would start by asking the question, "What are the implications of taking away women's bodily rights? Let's examine the harm that doing that does."
Would you like to add anything else?
Only that I hope audiences are fully able engage with this film, and enjoy experiencing it.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently developing a feature script on consent. I've co-written it, so myself and my co-writer, Saoirse Ní Chiaragáin, are doing re-drafts, and pushing to move it forward.
I've also just come onto direct a short film that's been commissioned as part of an awards scheme run by the Galway Film Centre and Raidió Teilivís Éireann (RTÉ - our national broadcaster). It's a wonderful script called, 'Mother'. It's unlike anything I've ever done, and we've a great team. I'm really looking forward to that.
Terminal's producer, David Lynch, is a powerhouse. He's working on a series called Beyond The Lens which focuses on independent Irish filmmakers. He is currently working on developing several short film projects at the moment, all of which have gone in as applications to the Irish Film Board for funding. He's also a very talented director of photography, and is doing a lot of work as such. One of the shorts he's producing and shooting is called Scope. It's directed by Richard Keaney, a fellow emergent film director. The script is a highly original piece and visually, David has made it really special. It's one to look out for over the coming year. He's also working on a pitch for a new Netflix series - a really fascinating period piece set in Philadelphia, hopefully to be shot in and around Wicklow and Dublin.
Interview: June 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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Terminal
An Irish girl and a woman meet in an airport departure gate. Before they board a plane to Manchester to seek a safe and legal abortion, we witness a private exchange as they share the different reasons that brought them to this moment, and the traumatic journey that awaits them.
Length: 11 minutes
Director: Natasha Waugh
Producer: David C. Lynch
Writer: Natasha WaughAbout the writer, director and producer:
Key cast: Andrea Kelly, Aoife Doyle
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Journalists, Film Festival directors
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Terminalshort/
Twitter: @Terminal_Film_
Other: www.fightbackfilms.com/Terminal/
Funders: self-funded
Made in association with: Hopehapp Productions / Fight Back Films / Driftwood Doll Films
Where can I see it in the next month? At the Fort-Worth Indie Film Showcase, Texas, July 13th-16th.