A woman is pushing a loaded wheelbarrow up a hill, and stranded when the wheel falls off and rolls into a dam. All she knows is: she has to get the contents to the top. Over the next 24 hours, she’ll push the contents and herself to exhaustion. A chance encounter lifts and spurs her to keep going. How far do you need to go before you realise you’re doing it all wrong?

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Rosanna Scarcella

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made the film at a difficult time in my life. I'm an incredibly slow learner and often make the same mistakes and hazard a guess that there are many of us out there. This film is for us and a toast to the bittersweet lessons that come our way.

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

Because you'll have gone through a version of the same thing, and hopefully you'll be able to identify with the character and chuckle to yourself at how ridiculous and beautifully flawed we are.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

For me the personal and universal can never be separated: I'm human therefore I am you and you are me. "UpHill" is a coming of age film and the obvious theme present is that "shit happens". Be it personal or universal, there is shit happening everyday. But The Fool deals with her lot drastically differently to the way of the high priestess: adolescence vs maturity; self-loathing vs self acceptance. And sometimes perseverance is the key to the getting of wisdom.

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

The script was written in a week. It was filmed in three days and edited over 2 years. Films almost always change over the course of their development. Film-making isn't a static art-form or process. It's organic and has a life of its own and you have to move with it.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Not much. I've submitted "UpHill" to many film festivals across the globe and FFS is the only festival to screen it. The Artistic Director of the UK Film Festival wrote me a private email saying he loved the film and story and wanted to screen it but couldn't include it in the program. I'm not sure why? It was nice to receive his email all the same. Women who watch the film relate to it. Most men (not all) who watch it are indifferent about it. A good discussion point maybe?

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It has surprised me to be honest. It's not a conventional or perfect film by any stretch, but I think it's a good observation on struggle and the hurdles we add to that struggle before we even get close to understanding and accepting it. The film has rhythm to it and heart. And Sian Bates' cinematography is beautiful. Did the feedback (or lack thereof) challenge me? Yes. In so far as I had to ask if I was kidding myself and just finished making the biggest dud. I guess that's now for the audience to decide.

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

More exposure for the film - because it deserves to have its day. And more exposure for me and connection with other film-makers who I may be able to work with. Finding your creative crew/family is paramount.

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

I'd say all of them. Film-makers can't live in isolation. It's vital that we're surrounded by creative and talented people who are ready for when we have an idea worth developing and supporting. Without producers films don't get made. Without buyers, distributors and film festival directors we die because we have no audience.

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

I'd be happy if even a small portion who watch "UpHill" are moved in some way. And feel that they've come away feeling connected to the character's journey and plight. I hope it receives enough exposure so it can have a life of its own and maybe lead to other things.

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

What kind of "shit pusher" are you? Do you take on "shit" that's not yours to take? Do you make your load heavier and harder than it needs to be?

Would you like to add anything else?

I love film.

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

For the rest of 2018, I'm at AFTRS completing my Graduate Certificate in Directing. We shall see what happens next?

Sian Bates, Bamdad Erfanian, Rolando Olalia, Luke Bertoz, Luke Stacey and Luke Marsden are all working professionally in their field: cinematography, editing, directing, sound recording and sound mixing. I was lucky to have had worked with such a wonderful bunch of people.

Interview: April 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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Film Title: UpHill

Length: 11 minutes 41 seconds

Director: Rosanna Scarcella

Producer: Rosanna Scarcella

Writer: Rosanna Scarcella

About the writer, director and producer:

Rosanna is a film-maker with a history in acting, writing and directing theatre and film. Her film debut "in Autumn" was officially selected to screen at the 2013 Warsaw Film Festival, 1 Reel Film Festival, Seattle and won the Rising Star Award at Canada International Film Festival 2014. She is currently at AFTRS completing her Graduate Certificate in Directing.

Key cast:

Rosanna Scarcella

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): YES PLEASE!

Funders: Self funded with the help of my parents.

Made in association with: no-one

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? FFS Film Festival Sydney. Sunday 15 April 12.30pm George Street Cinema