Nostalgia
A woman's world is fractured into oblivion as a new wonder drug known only as Nostalgia begins to sweep the nation.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Polaris Castillo
Congratulations! Why are you making your film?
Nostalgia serves as both a message and an emotional rollercoaster for audiences. Movie goers hooked on the concept of a memory drug will be surprised with a dramatically noble character arc that spans a lifetime.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Imagine a pill that can take you back to your happiest memories. In reality, the past is a drug people take daily. Everybody is hooked on the way things were. In this film, the past is literally a pill people consume in order to fully relive days gone by. But what happens when we become hung up on the past for so long?
The lead character's voyage inspires change. Viewers witness a woman adrift grow into a new person capable of bliss and noble choices in aiding others. Movie lovers not only appreciate being able to relate to a character on screen, but also see them as a kind of role model to aspire to. The goal of this film is to influence viewers to act.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The world of Nostalgia is a personal one. It is a dramatic tale of learning to keep our heads above water here in the present. Too often have I caught myself pouring into the oceans of nostalgia. We must realize we're living in the golden years.
The characters and story beats in the film all serve our message of what can happen in a world where an obsession over the past is taken too far. How can we swim back to the surface, and stay there?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Like any worthwhile project, the script has gone through major epiphanies over our two year writing course. The main emotional arc remains the same, however, and I think it's only gotten stronger in quality and depth. I'm really proud of the story we're telling. As a writer-director, I made a conscious effort to not go it alone.
I'm currently working closely with the lead actress, Amanda Tovah Rose, in finishing the script. Our story features a female protagonist, making her role as co-writer infinitely valuable. We worked together on a short film, Loveland, in 2014, enhancing our mind blending and chemistry to a wonderful bond that is the stuff of dreams.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People's reactions to the teaser trailer is always a fun thing to see. For one, the general consensus seems to be excitement and impatience over the movie's release. On the other hand, many believe we've actually already shot the film.
The reality is, the trailer is merely a proof-of-concept component we use to reel in potential investors, cast, and crew on board. We shot all the footage in the trailer in the span of a year.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's surprising, but I'd say it's mostly relieving. I'm thrilled that people are invested in the project and want to see it on the big screen.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want the project's existence to reach broader audiences and find its way to the right hands who may be able to help us bring it to life.
As homegrown filmmakers, we've created all of our shorts and music videos on shoe string budgets, often writing scripts that were carefully crafted to fit our known resources. We've done various fundraising campaigns before with modest success.
Taking on our first feature film is a whole new beast. I feel each short film I've made has prepared me in a variety of stipulations to be as ready as I can be.
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, we need investors; someone who can add higher value and credibility to the project with the kind of budget we need. If we can acquire at least one quality B list actor, the chances of further attracting high caliber talent is a lot more likely.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like to make an impact at film festivals or be partners with a mainstream streaming entity such as Amazon or Netflix. We want the world to watch our film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What memory would you see if you took a Nostalgia pill?
Would you like to add anything else?
I'll give you three reasons why this film should be made:
1. Originality. We need to support more original films and stop paying for more sequels, reboots, remakes, reimaginings, and rehashes. Let's stop playing it so safe and try something new.
2. A strong female lead.
3. A solid concept. Nostalgia is a drug everyone is going to wish was real by the time the credits roll. As a movie fan, I think the films that make me wish were real stay with me the most.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Polaris Castillo - writer/director, Amanda Tovah Rose - lead actresss + co-writer
Dalia Alkassar - producer, Dan Marcus - co-producer
Story by Polaris Castillo + William Coffey
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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Nostalgia
A woman's world is fractured into oblivion as a new wonder drug known only as Nostalgia begins to sweep the nation.
Director: Polaris Castillo
Producer: Dalia Alkassar, Dan Marcus
Writer: Polaris Castillo, Amanda Tovah Rose
About the writer, director and producer:
Multi-media artist Polaris Castillo has been writing and directing short films and music videos and finally feels it’s time for the big one. Garnering several award wins for his shorts including Best Short from the Best Shorts Competition and HollyShorts Official Selections, Polaris is revving up his idea engine on his biggest undertaking yet, Nostalgia.
While Amanda Tovah Rose plays the lead role of Andrea, she’s also on the creative writing team, making sure we make women sound and behave like women. “Only women know what women are like when they’re alone. And that’s why we need women writers because men don’t know what we’re doing when they’re not there.” - Greta Gerwig
Dalia Alkassar rocks various degrees under her belt, from Video Production to Broadcasting. She worked at Double Feature Films assisting producers Michael Shamberg & Stacey Sher during the making of Django Unchained. She now works as a freelancer for Comedy Central digital, Logo, Spike, C4 Media TV and indie Angeleno directors.
Dan Marcus is no stranger to independent cinema. Garnering several awards and nominations for his own short films, he exhibits a quiet force that drives him to madness if he’s not involved on a film production. Whether it’s assisting on set, helming his own or writing features, Dan is a selfless supporter of film and the ability it has to excite, emote and impact the dreamers in its audience.
Key cast: Amanda Tovah Rose
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Investors, producers
Social media handles
Facebook: Facebook.com/sweetnightmaresfilms
Instagram: @missingcosmonaut
Other: sweetnightmaresfilms.com
Funders: Looking for some!