The daily odyssey and emotional cost of long commutes in three different cities around the world.

Interview with Writer/Director Luciana Kaplan

Watch Rush Hour on Vimeo on demand and Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to make a film about loneliness in big cities, about the odyssey of the common men and women, struggling to survive and make a difference. I think we are getting so disconnected from our own emotional needs in order to survive that we end up forgetting who we are and we are ultimately making choices in our lives that are not sustainable, for ourselves and for the cities we live in.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it will make you reflect on your own life and especially on the decisions you make every day, it makes you feel that your are not alone, there are millions of people around the world dealing with this daily challenge of getting stuck in traffic and still finding the time to be with the people you care about.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I think this it's a film that talks about a global problem but focused on a very intimate experience. You can see these really open aerial shots that portray the immensity of commuting in 3 different cities, but still you can be very close to the characters, their conflicts, hopes and longings.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I have an idea of what I wanted to say and I had three characters to follow and look for the best actions and situations that could help me have the material to be more clear in my speech. What happens with documentary is that you actually write the script during the editing process, most of the time. So it's when you are at the editing room with the material that you end up knowing what kind of film you are really making.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People are really moved by the characters and they feel very near to them, maybe not to all of them but to one or two. I think the movie makes the people think about their own lives. It's a very melancholic movie. I think people tend to go out of the Theater in a meditative mode. People start talking about their life, their conflicts, comparing the other characters: I like that. I think we make documentary films to make people reflect and feel.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I'm moved that the audience is being emotionally moved by the film. I have to say I am a little bit scared that the film could end up being a little bit light, not strong enough. And after every screening people the audience tells me it's a powerful film, sad as well, maybe a little rough, but I know that's what I wanted to make people feel.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

That people will know more about the film, be curious about it, recommend to other people so it can have a wider audience.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists, decision makers, urban planners, film festival directors could work too!!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want people to reflect on their own life, question themselves about the decisions they make everyday in order to survive. I want this film to be a platform for discussing mobility and transportation in the big cities.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Why are we living this way?? Is it a personal decision, is it a decision maker's, public policy makers? Can we change the way we live in the big cities??

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm working on a documentary film that portrays the building of the Indigenous Government Council in Mexico, and her spokeswoman, trying to run for 2018's presidency. We've been shooting since May and it will be released summer 2019.

Interview: March 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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Rush Hour

The daily odyssey and emotional cost of long commutes in three different cities around the world.

Length: 84 minutes

Director: Luciana Kaplan

Producer: Carlos Hagerman, Martha Sosa, José Cohen

Writer: Luciana Kaplan

Sales Agent: Taskovski Films

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Journalist and film festival directors

Social media handles: https://www.facebook.com/rushhour.documental/

Instagram: rushhour_el_documental

Made in association with: Eficine 189, Gabriel Figueroa Fund, Merck

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Ambulante (México) and Hot Docs (Canada)