Chicago Feminist Film Festival - I’m Not Sure Today
An anxiety ridden woman is about to attend her ex’s wedding, but becomes caught up in her own fears of being incomplete: she shares a moment of doubt and uncertainty about her undetermined future with her friend.
Interview with Writer/Director Siraya Saicheua
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you. Last year I found out that my ex was getting married, this was the guy who was my longest relationship to date lasting for two tumultuous years. He was good to me and I was to him for the first year of our relationship, then things went south and I broke his heart thinking that I can do so much better. I didn’t. Flash forward to the next eight years of my life post-serious relationship and I’ve spent them alone and unable to find any man that fitted my definition of ‘the perfect partner’ (does that even exist?)
Before I knew it, I’m approaching the big 3-0, angsty and uncertain about how my life will go from here. I’m unsure about whether what I felt towards my ex was true love (which I’ve lost) or whether if it was just me feeling the walls cave in from societal pressure telling me that there’s a need to be married before reaching a certain age. So I’ve made a film that serves as a testament to my fears and inadequacy of being a complete woman; my fear of womanhood, my unwillingness to compromise, a remorse for past decisions, my discontent for the present and my uncertainty for the future.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I encourage everyone to watch it, the film reflects the moment of doubt and uncertainty we all have in our lives but depicted through a personal story which takes place during a relatable event most woman in their late 20s and early 30s would have come across. The message is to say it's alright it's okay to have days like these and be vulnerable sometimes.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The story is based off a personal experience I had while attending my friend’s wedding where I found myself having a similar conversation with a friend of mine. I guess it’s what a wedding does to single people, it makes us question our life choices and whether we’re actually missing out on ‘something’. The film explores a moment of self-doubt and uncertainty and how you can never be absolutely sure whether you made the right decision. The universal message is that you never will and that vulnerability is something to be embraced.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This film started out as one of three scripts that I wrote under the same theme; each film explores a different woman’s story and her own uncertainty. Eventually, it got cut down to one story because I found that this is a story that resonated and was most personal to me, I decided to focus all my energy into just this one film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Women seem to find it easy to connect with the main character and her personal crisis, especially women in their late 20s/early 30s.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
So far, I’m just happy and very appreciative that the film has a platform to be screened. The feedback has been very kind and I’m really grateful that the film is able to ‘speak’ to others.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to be able to reach out to a wider range of audience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone. All help is welcome.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love to be able to screen in a few more female oriented film festivals in order to reach out to my intended audience (women).
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can a woman be truly complete if she’s doomed to be alone forever?
Would you like to add anything else?
This film was made by a predominantly female cast and crew (with the exception of our wonderful ‘male’ editor) and I would just like to thank everyone involved in making this film and I’m so grateful for their trust in me and my story.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m still in the process of writing a script for my second short film; primarily about womanhood and sexuality, something a little bit more risqué and daring than this piece.
Interview: February 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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
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I’m Not Sure Today
An anxiety ridden woman is about to attend her ex’s wedding, but becomes caught up in her own fears of being incomplete: she shares a moment of doubt and uncertainty about her undetermined future with her friend.
Length: 15 mins 13 seconds
Director: Siraya Saicheua
Producer: Pacharin Surawatanapongs
Writer: Siraya Saicheua
About the writer, director and producer:
Siraya Saicheua is a first time filmmaker and a dedicated feminist; this is reflected in her film where she explores female oriented issues. She has a Bachelor of arts from Victoria University of Wellington in English Literature and Film.
Pacharin Surawatanapongs is a Thai film producer, her latest feature film is “Die Tomorrow” (2017). Her experiences prior to this includes Co-Producing the Thai Films “36” (2012), “Mary is happy, Mary is happy” (2013) and served as an assistant director for the documentary “The Master” (2014).
Key cast:
Rinrada Pornsombutsatien as Lin
Milin Wintachai as Noon
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Sale agents, buyer, distributors, film festival directors and journalists
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssaicheua
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssaicheua/
Funders: Self funded / Naked (Co-funded)
Made in association with: Naked
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Chicago Feminist Film Festival in Chicago - screen date: March 09, 2018 / Berlin Feminist Film Festival in Berlin screen date: to be announced.