Whistler Film Festival 2018 - Foraldraskap
Four couples attempt to build a piece of Ikea furniture. It doesn’t go well.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Mazi Khalighi
Watch Foraldraskap here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My partner Brian and I wanted to make a fun, silly film that highlights the fact that, no matter who you are, how old you are, your background, ethnicity, or orientation, we all suffer and deal with the same relationship problems.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To laugh. To see yourself on screen. Funny cats judging silly humans.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes of relationship drama, miscommunication, breakdowns in conflict resolution, etc are some of the most universally familiar topics in all forms of art. Our film dives deep into all these aspects and manages to do it with tongue firmly in cheek.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film was shot off of an outline, rather than a script. The performances and dialogue were all improvised and we consciously made a point to, while being as prepared as we could, still leave room to “figure it out” on set. The same tactics were employed during editing – because of all the improv there were multiple different avenues we could take the story – so in essence we were “rewriting” the film at every stage.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Lots of ‘LOL’ moments! Which is great.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has validated our theory that we can all relate to relationship bullshit and breakdowns in communication.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Exposure is always great. Spreading our message about how we’re all way more alike than we are different. Putting the film on the radar our your readers to tune into the release (early Spring, 2019, on CBC)
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Buyers, distributors for sure. Journalists. We see this short film as a sort of pilot and we’d like to expand the concept to further episodes.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Lots and lots of LOL moments, and maybe this film can change the minds of some audience members who might have a more closed minded vision of how we all as humans relate to each other, no matter our creed, colour, age, and the like.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it possible to build a piece of furniture with your significant other without fighting or quibbling?
Would you like to add anything else?
It’s worth reiterating that the project won an award for best editing at the Hamilton Film Festival and is sold to the CBC in Canada for their “Canadian Reflections” series and will also be available on their digital platform in early Spring 2019.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Co-director and producer, Mazi Khalighi, is the main creator behind a new web series called CLUSTERF*CK, now available on YouTube and Facebook.
Interview: December 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
Foraldraskap
Four couples attempt to build a piece of Ikea furniture. It doesn’t go well.
Length: 14:20
Director: Mazi Khalighi (co-director alongside Brian Allan Stewart)
Producer: Mazi Khalighi
Writer: Mazi Khalighi and Brian Allan Stewart
About the writer, director and producer:
MAZI KHALIGHI is an Iranian/Canadian filmmaker who specializes in relationship dramas and comedies in various formats including short film, series and feature film.
BRIAN ALLAN STEWART is an award winning and CSA nominated Canadian-American Toronto based Director of Photography, Camera Operator & Photographer working in wide array of genres.
Key cast: Scott Cavalheiro, Jamie Spilchuk, Ana Sani, Chai Valladares, Brittany Kay, Chris Baker, Toni Ellwand, Greg Ellwand
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Not publicly available until early Spring, 2019