Pennsylvania Indie Shorts Festival 2018 - Sin Cielo
In the US-Mexico borderlands, two teenagers pursue young love in a region where violence may be inescapable.
Interview with Writer/Director Jianna Maarten-Saada
Watch Sin Cielo on Vimeo on demand
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film as a response the thousands of disappearances of young girls and women from the borderlands. There are literally thousands – so many we could not fit all the names in our credits because we had time limits to deal with. And we are not addressing this issue in a real way. We are not addressing it, as Americans, since we purchase the lions’ share of the drugs and participate in the drug trade in a major way that fuels much of the violence near the borders. We talk about walls like walls can stop the supply-and-demand of drugs and the thousands of firearms that we happily get across the border. We are not being honest about the human lives at stake here and so I wanted to make a film about that.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It's surprisingly funny due to the great performances and it's also incredibly sweet watching these two fall in love. I think it's got something for everyone – it's funny and sweet and suspenseful and also a bit heart breaking to watch. It's tough to watch at the end there but we try to make the ride an enjoyable one.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I'm not big into themes but there's definitely an overarching classic tragedy built into the structure and I think that pays off. These are just kids and they are unaware that this little action over here has this huge reaction over there. I think our world operates that way.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
My scripts and films evolve a lot. it's a constant evolving process because to me movies are living breathing things and the minute you hem them in they teach you not to.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I'm very moved by members of the audience, particularly women, who are very emotional after seeing the film and very vocal about it. I am always nervous when we screen this film – I think, oh. this is when everyone is going to hate this film and think I'm an idiot, and then the credits roll and the lights come on and women come up to me very emotional; I'm like, oh good, I'm glad we made this.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. It's reinforced the idea that there's a space for these films, obviously. As we tear gas women and children at the border escaping a violence that our markets create, there's a space for these films.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd love the film to get out there even more. I'd like to screen in more cities and more towns at more festivals or on a streaming giant. Of course, you make films to be seen.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would definitely like to sell the film at this point or do some more key festivals. HBO would be great.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd love folks to think more about what goes on in these areas and not just be so quick to judge - “well, it's their problem” or “they're a violent people”. Really? How hard have we looked at what all goes into this? What do we even know about the violence that surrounds these areas? We are jumping to conclusions and reacting in ways that is not humane.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who do you think or what do you think is responsible for the violence and disappearance of these girls?
Would you like to add anything else?
Go see the film!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm working on a project about homelessness and of course a project about kids dealing with tough lives. That's my specialty.
Interview: November 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
SIN CIELO
In the US-Mexico borderlands, two teenagers pursue young love in a region where violence may be inescapable.
Length: 25 minutes
Director: Jianna Maarten-Saada
Writer: Jianna Maarten-Saada
About the writer, director and producer:
From Southern California, JIANNA MAARTEN-SAADA has made a handful of shorts and has won the young jury prize at Palm Springs Fest for Sin Cielo as well as Jury Award, Audience Award, Best in Category at Ivy Film Festival, was nominated by the Atlanta FF for Filmmaker to watch and has screened Sin Cielo to audiences all over the world.
Key cast: David Gurrola as Memo, Fenessa Pineda as Delia, Sophia Santi as Josefa, Vanessa Benavente as Ana, Victor Boneva as Juan, Karen Sours-Albisua as Veronica, Aithan Torres as Franki, Dylan Bruno as The American and introducing Gia Grimm as Estrella.
Looking for: buyers, film festival directors
Facebook: Sin Cielo Film
Instagram: @sincielofilm
Funders: Crowd funded, self funded, AFI
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? We will be screening it at the Pennsylvania Indie Shorts Festival on Saturday December 8th at 3:45 pm.