Flickerfest - Deighties (Dating in your Eighties)
A tender look at dating in the golden years of your life - your eighties. Phil, a widower at the age of 86, decides to venture into the unfamiliar world of online dating in a search for companionship.
Interview Director Mason Fleming
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It was a straightforward case of being really inspired by the idea. The idea of elderly people dating has a clear potency to it. It reminded me of my great-grandmother, who had casual ‘relationships” to her very last days, and how strongly she believed in holding onto every last moment of joy in her life. I think it’s a good sign when a film idea sparks a flood of memories and emotions - because it means the film may have a chance doing the same to an audience.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I can’t speak for my own film as I have quite a lot of bias, but i have seen the reactions to it. I once arrived a bit late to a festival, so I was stuck with awkward seats that were facing the wrong way (towards the audience). I saw audience members, one by one, tearing up in some moments, then bursting into laughter in others. There seemed to be a wave of nostalgia and longing - as if everybody was thinking of their own family or future. To me, the possibility of connecting to a film on that kind of level is more than enough reason to watch it.
Then again, If you don’t have that experience, it’s only 8 minutes!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I didn’t want to explore ageing as a theme, rather I wanted to explore inner youth. This meant not framing our subjects as ‘old people’ (ie. showing them hobbling around, trying to get their dentures in etc.). I wanted to show their inner children - to show their passions and their memories. It’s the story of two people who decide to be young, despite the world telling them they shouldn’t be.
The desire to show youthfulness rather than oldness is why we focused so much on the motifs of super 8 footage of youth long ago, and on the act of dancing. To me, those two visual cues represented the child at heart everybody secretly holds inside, even if they’re in their eighties.
Dancing was the perfect metaphor for choosing to live; to live a life moving, rather than staying still. As personal as it is, the film is aimed at universality: everybody loves, everybody ages, everybody experiences loss - but not everybody chooses to dance.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We mapped out possible scenarios, and how we could structure it into a documentary - but when it came to meeting our documentary subjects we threw most of our plans out the window and let life happen.
There’s only so much you can plan these things except for keeping an eye on how the events might fit into a compelling story arc. A lot of the script was made in the edit, from which we condensed at least 4 hours of conversations into an 8 minute piece.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Really lovely feedback. It’s been great to see people connecting to the little film. I’ve had 14 year olds come up to me after screenings telling me how emotionally affected they’ve been.
A few people have commented on the film seeming like a blend of fact and fiction in the way that it’s shot, which I find really interesting. There are some that believe a documentary should always have a ‘warts and all’ hyper-realistic approach, but I don’t quite agree with that.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The positivity has been surprising in how overwhelming it has been. I know that’s a boring answer but it’s true. As for the critique that the film should seem more grounded in reality - I disagree. I do think the film is grounded in reality - but it’s choosing to show a true story of affirmation, not devastation.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible onwww.wearemovingstories.com?
I’m excited to see more people connect with the film. I think we’re in an interesting moment in pop-culture where people are looking for optimism and hope in their entertainment - and i think that’s something our little film can help with.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re at the point where our short film has done fantastically in reaching festival audiences - but there’s still another step to come. At this stage we’re looking at ways of developing the show into a serialized format, perhaps a television series. We know the film connects to a broad array of people on a deep level - so now we just need people who can help us expand it into a broader format - so yes to all of the above!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want it to bring people together. It tells people not to underestimate the spirit of the elderly, or even people in general. I think it could also motivate people to get out there and live a little, regardless of age.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do we laugh at the idea of elderly people finding love?
Would you like to add anything else?
Just a reminder to call your grandparents more often!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Our little creative team has recently left university to spread across Australia and make waves!
I’m doing a lot of freelance directing and editing, working mostly on advertisements and branded storytelling - but i’ve also got a steady stream of music videos, documentaries and short films on the horizon. Our writer Pascal has found success in writers rooms for big Australian TV shows,, and our producer Jess has recently finished her Masters and flown to Sydney to pursue producing. As a team, we’re actively pursuing the idea of expanding Deighties into a longer format.
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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Deighties (Dating in your Eighties)
A tender look at dating in the golden years of your life - your eighties. Phil, a widower at the age of 86, decides to venture into the unfamiliar world of online dating in a search for companionship.
Length: 8:01
Director: Mason Fleming
Writer: Pascal Mercay
Producer: Jessica Lytton
Key cast: Phil Whitehouse, Davilia Bleckly
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above!
Social media handles:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Deighties.Short.Doco/
Made in association with: WA Screen Academy
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
We are yet to announce anything, but we are in discussions to have a streaming service show the short film later this year. Otherwise we will be showing at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana USA, which we’re really excited for!