Pride Film Festival - In This Family
A teenage boy is outed by his teacher and revisits raw audio recordings of his Filipino family’s reactions.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Drama Del Rosario
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Ten years ago, my thirteen-year-old self made secret audio recordings of my parents yelling at me for coming out. Ten years later, I listened to these recordings again and made this documentary. I made In This Family, a first-person documentary film about my coming out experience, to give people a chance to listen to these raw unreleased audio recordings and to trace how a Filipino family learns acceptance over ten years.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Aside from having the rare opportunity to listen to recordings that I have kept hidden for ten years, audience members will also have the chance to see the process of how a family learns acceptance. Also, the audience will get to see my reactions to reliving these difficult memories today.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Coming out is a long process that involves both the child and the parents. For some members of the LGBTQ+ community, there is no instant gratification. In This Family shows how each and every individual in the family—from parents to siblings—plays a crucial role in accepting the child. But beyond coming out, the film tackles family secrets, and more importantly, the patience that a family needs in order to overcome struggles together.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
When I first began making this film, I was absolutely terrified to share my personal story, but I knew that this was a story that needed to be told. Today, I am comfortable and open enough to talk about my coming out experience, and I can finally listen to those audio recordings with a contented smile on my face.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
When people hear the audio recordings, they initially think that these are voice actors. But when I confirm to them that these are real life recordings that I made when I was thirteen years old, they are amazed. It is always a great feeling to see people’s reactions.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The documentary film talks about how I was outed by my teacher in 7th grade, and their reactions to this are always fascinating. After watching the documentary, people often carry resentment towards my teacher. However, I do honestly tell them that, today, I have learned to forgive her, and I genuinely believe that she outed me out of concern.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like to find opportunities to screen my film in LGBTQ+ film festivals, Filipino festivals, or any other events which see interest in my documentary film. But more importantly, I do hope that this visibility helps people become more open to the LGBTQ+ community.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above, but I would specifically like to get in contact with LGBTQ+ film festivals, Filipino festivals, and distributors. I am also interested in meeting journalists who would like to write about my documentary film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Aside from helping people know more about the coming out process, I want people to see the talent in Filipino documentary films. The Philippines is a gold mine for thought-provoking documentary subjects, and Filipino filmmakers are gradually embracing the documentary film as an art form.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Was it right for my teacher to out me to my parents?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you to my talented crew members Victoria Bergqvist, Asem Nurlanova, and Scott Powers. I would also like to thank Louise Toledo and Motzie Dapul for helping me gather childhood photos, Aliyya Sawadjaan for writing the synopsis for my promotional material, and Dorothy Guya for this amazing poster. And of course, thank you to my family.
If anyone is interested to create documentary films about compelling LGBTQ+ subjects or Filipino subjects, feel free to get in touch with me through AaronMarcusADelRosario@gmail.com. You may also view more of my films at DramaDelRosario.tumblr.com.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently, I am working on a documentary film about Angel Qinan, a Filipino actress who has difficulty booking acting jobs for “looking too transgender.” The documentary film is scheduled for release in 2018. Stay tuned!
Interview: January 2018
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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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In This Family
A teenage boy is outed by his teacher and revisits raw audio recordings of his Filipino family’s reactions.
Length: 12 minutes, 16 seconds
Director: Drama Del Rosario
Producer: Drama Del Rosario
Writer: Drama Del Rosario
About the writer, director and producer: Drama Del Rosario is a documentary filmmaker from the Philippines, currently in Los Angeles. His previous documentaries include Popemania (2015) and The Big Fans (2016).
Key cast: Drama Del Rosario
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): film festival directors, distributors, journalists
Social media handles:
Portfolio: DramaDelRosario.tumblr.com
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5708556/
Made in association with: New York Film Academy – Los Angeles
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?: Pride Film Festival on April 10, 2018 at The Broadway at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois