Cannes Short Film Corner 2018 - The Right Thing
In the dead of night, a young African-American woman enters a convenience store with a loaded gun, seeking the right thing in a world with no black and white.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Andrew C. Fisher
Watch The Right Thing here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to deal honestly with the subject of violent vengeance. Television and movies usually present this kind of event simply and without nuance. I hope to make people think about how complicated an act like this is for the person taking vengeance.
On a craft level, I wanted to make a movie with very little dialogue, where the images tell the story. My previous movie, Seeing Each Other, is very talky. I love dialogue, and I can rely on it as a crutch. I set this challenge for myself to try to grow as a filmmaker.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch it because you’ll have a great time and it will make you think.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal theme: I grew up with a strong single mother, so many of my female characters have that strength. Universal themes: vengeance can harm the one taking vengeance; jumping to conclusions about someone is never a good idea.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was originally a straight vengeance story. I was having a very difficult time ending it, though. It felt like I was making it too easy on myself, trying to tie things up without really confronting the reality of the event. I let it sit for awhile, and then when I came back to it I saw that it needed to deal with the pain that will forever be in these two women. Vengeance cannot erase that.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
At first I was like, it’s too twisty, and then it got so twisty that I was like, oh, ok. People have really enjoyed the ride of it. Others have felt like the twists were too much. Most people who have seen it more than once have enjoyed it more the second time.
People have responded well to my use of music.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
As an audience member, I love to connect things later, or to be putting it together as it happens. Not everyone likes that. I think I have to split the difference, where I give the audience a little more information upfront, so they don’t feel so behind the whole time.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want more people to see this movie and my other work.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Anybody who knows about marketing and/or distribution would amplify the film’s message. I am definitely on the lookout for someone who enjoys producing.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want it to make people think and feel.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you think our action heroes are sociopaths?
Would you like to add anything else?
Check out my work at andrewcfisher.com
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am writing a feature screenplay called What’s In The Box?, a quirky dark comedy. I am also cutting together a mockumentary called Beefcake Day, which will be released soon.
Interview: June 2018
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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
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The Right Thing
In the dead of night, a young African-American woman enters a convenience store with a loaded gun, seeking the right thing in a world with no black and white.
Length: 10min, 57 sec
Director: Andrew C. Fisher
Producer: Andrew C. Fisher and Darren Alberti
Writer: Andrew C. Fisher
About the writer, director and producer: Andrew C. Fisher is a filmmaker and educator living in Austin, Texas. His first screenplay, Night Music, was directed by Blair Hayes. Andrew's first major directing work was Seeing Each Other, which won a couple awards and is now available online. His latest short, The Right Thing, is currently playing at film festivals.
Key cast: Katlynn Simone, Lance R. Marshall, Darren Alberti, Dazi Williams
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Producers and Journalists
Social media handles: andrewcfisher.com
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? After the festival run, find it at andrewcfisher.com