Palm Springs International Film Festival - Liyana
Five Swazi orphaned children turn their past trauma into creative fuel for an original collective fairytale, in which they send a young girl on a dangerous quest.
Interview with Director/Producer Aaron Kopp & Amanda Kopp
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This film has been a labor of love for more than 8 years, and it is our effort to make the film we wanted to watch. We've known the characters in the film for a long time (Aaron grew up in Swaziland) and they are some of the most interesting, complicated people we know. We knew we had to somehow make a film with them. But we wanted to make a film that they would be proud to watch, one that celebrated their creativity and complexity in a respectful and entertaining way. The use of Liyana, a fictional character created by the children, allows them a way to express both the darkest and brightest parts of who they are. And in the process, they take us on a wild/funny/sad/epic journey!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think we can confidently say you won't have seen anything else quite like it. And it's just fun to watch! Shofela's artwork is stunning. Both crying and laughing are very likely. It about a badass young girl who goes on a crazy adventure to try to save her twins brother from kidnappers. The children who created the fictional story are fantastic storytellers.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The children are clearly drawing from personal experience as they make choices for the character they create. The themes that emerge from the story they tell are about as universal as it gets - it is an archetypal hero's journey about perseverance and hope in the face of very challenging circumstances.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
One of the most challenging parts of the editing process was finding the balance between the different narrative strands. It took many, many revisions before we felt like we had the right combination of documentary scenes, animated scenes, and all the transitions in between.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The audience response has been overwhelming. It has been humbling and affirming to hear such great feedback from very diverse audiences all over the world. It has been great!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has been interesting to see such a wide variety of folks who appreciate the story from different points of view. There is really something in LIYANA for everyone.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Well, we made the film because we want people to watch it. So to that end, the more screenings, press, awards, etc, the better! We think it is a film that will be meaningful to a lot of people. We believe LIYANA has the power to bring people together and give us all hope and empathy, in a time when such things seem increasingly rare.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A big part of what we are doing at festivals is just building our community of people who believe in the power of Liyana. As Liyana is released into the world we are depending on our communities of supporters to be a part of this journey with us. We want Liyana to reach her full potential. So, tell all of your friends!!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want everyone and their mom to love it! We want it to change the world. All the things any filmmaker wants for their work.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We think it is really interesting when people debate the unusual formal approach. Also, when people debate the significance of not including hardly any statistics and not taking a more traditional documentary approach to HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Would you like to add anything else?
We've got a beautiful LIYANA comic book in the works so tune in with us on social media to get updates about when that will be complete and when the film will be playing near you!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
As it stands we are holding other projects a bay for a little while. We want to put the time and energy required into the release of Liyana. We have big plans for our roll out in Swaziland. But we also have new ideas percolating in the back of our minds.
Interview: January 2018
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We Are Moving Stories supports 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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LIYANA
Five Swazi orphaned children turn their past trauma into creative fuel for an original collective fairytale, in which they send a young girl on a dangerous quest.
Length: 77mins
Director: Aaron Kopp & Amanda Kopp
Producer: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp, Daniel Junge, Sakheni Dlamini & Davis Coombe
About the writer, director and producer:
Director/Producer: Aaron Kopp is an award-winning filmmaker and national Emmy-nominated cinematographer who grew up in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Aaron shot and co- produced the Oscar-winning documentary in Pakistan, Saving Face.
Director/Producer: Amanda Kopp is an award-winning photographer and artist. She was producer and cinematographer for the award-winning short film, Likhaya. She also filmed for the Sundance 2015 premiered film, The Hunting Ground.
Animation Artist: Shofela Coker is an illustrator and art director. He comes from a family of artists originally from Lagos, Nigeria, which has greatly shaped his passion and artistic vision.
Executive Producer: Thandie Newton is an English-Zimbabwean actress. She has starred in many films such as, Beloved, The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II, RocknRolla, 2012, and Crash – for which she received a number of awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Key cast:
Gcina Mhlophe was born and raised in South Africa. She has been writing and performing on stage and screen for more than 25 years. She has written many children's books as well as poetry, short stories, and plays.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Journalists, film festivals, and engaged audience members!
Social media handles:
Facebook: Facebook.com/LiyanaTheMovie.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/LiyanaThemovie
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/LiyanaFilm
Other: www.LiyanaFilm.com
Funders: MacArthur Foundation, Fork Films, Doha Film Institute, National Geographic All Roads Project, Kickstarter, private donors
Production company: Intaba Creative
Produced in association with: Shine Global
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
At film festivals all over the world! Check the screenings page on LiyanaFilm.com for the lastest.