A visceral exploration of the mysterious death of a Great Aunt narrated through archive, family stories and memory.

Interview with Director/Producer Nadine Arpin

Image: MELISSA WILSON-BAIN AS A BABY WITH PARENTS IN THE HOME IN SUDBURY, ONTARIO 1971

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The memory of Anna Lisa was one of the first stories Melissa Wilson-Bain told me when we met over 20 years ago. At that time Melissa was interested in a move back to the Thunder Bay area to research her family history. We both thought the intrigue surrounding her Great Aunt's mysterious death in 1936 was the makings of an interesting story. Fast forward to 2016 when the opportunity to pitch a short film concept at the Bay Street Film Festival in Thunder Bay came up. It seemed like the right time to finally pursue this story. I have always been fascinated by how memories are created and the stories we tell ourselves and others about the events in our lives. Family stories are influenced by individual perspective and inevitably are coloured by the culture we grow up in. Anna Lisa is my first attempt to portray on film this visceral experience of memory recall.

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

If one is interested in conceptual, experimental film, then I believe a viewer will find Anna Lisa to be an interesting exploration of fragmented story telling. We all have family stories which we shared on those occasions when siblings and relatives gather. In this short film I attempt to tell a story as though we are in the narrator’s head; experiencing the influences of an individual's thought process.

ANNA LISA WITH HER YOUNGER SISTER KAREN (MELISSA'S GRANDMOTHER TAKEN IN THE SUMMER BEFORE ANNA LISA'S DEATH IN 1976)

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film is narrated by Melissa who is not only telling a story about her family but also exposing personal information about her own childhood. Through found and family archive the viewer is shown snippets of her history mixed with the subtle suggests of sorrow, loss and disappointment. These emotions are, in my opinion, universal.

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

Melissa Wilson-Bain and I collaborated on the narration and on the recreation of the Anna Lisa death sequences. Together we researched the city of Thunder Bay’s archives and found out information from Melissa’s relatives and those still living in the city who had recollections of the family. We amassed a ton of information in the end. Ultimately I made the decision of how to tell the story and directed the visual and auditory elements of the film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The FeFF was the world premiere of Anna Lisa. I have had a very positive reaction from those who were at the Carlton Cinema screening. I was honored that Anna Lisa was nominated for the ‘best experimental film’ award at the festival.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Frankly, I look forward to having a conversation about the film. At this point it has not been viewed by enough people. I have begun to submit to other film festivals and I hope to have more opportunities to screen and discuss this piece and get an understanding of how people react to it.

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

I am an emerging Métis filmmaker and screening my film to your audience base will bring awareness to my growing body of work. I am producing consistently and with every film I push myself to bring, what I hope, is my own individual approach to storytelling and film making.

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

Anna Lisa is a short film that I hope will help to introduce people in the industry to my artistic vision. To be honest at this point in my filmmaking career I need everyone to come on board!

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

Memory is ephemeral, triggered by experience and circumstance. I hope this film evokes an introspective response, and for a moment, a connection to our collective consciousness.

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

The substance of who we are as individuals is made up of select memories which form the narration of our lives. What are the memories we choose to share and why?

Would you like to add anything else?

I want to give a huge shout out to Anita Lubosch, who was the composer and creator of the soundtrack in the film. She is a brilliant sound designer whose work is magic.

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

Right now I am producing a short film for the Regent Park’s Home Make Visible Project; exploring archive and community. I am also in the initial stages of development, writing a crime mystery set in a fictional town located in Northwestern Ontario.

Interview: July 2018

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

Anna Lisa

A visceral exploration of the mysterious death of a Great Aunt narrated through archive, family stories and memory.

Length: 10:39:00

Director: Nadine Arpin

Producer: Nadine Arpin

Writer: Melissa Wilson-Bain & Nadine Arpin

About the writer, director and producer:

Melissa Wilson-Bain is the storytelling narrator & performer in this film. This is her story drawing from her memories and experiences.T he film is a result of a collaborative partnership with Nadine Arpin.

Nadine Arpin is a two-spirited Red River Métis filmmaker based in Sioux Lookout NWO. She has been directing and producing films about personal stories and legends for the past 4 years.

Key cast: Melissa Wilson-Bain, Gabrielle Arpin, Elias Arpin, Faye Mesich, Olivia Mesich, Sarah Lehtinen

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

Social media handles: Nadine Arpin, Cedar Water Films

Facebook: Nadine Arpin

Twitter: Nadine Arpin

Instagram: CedarWaterFilms

Other: arpinnadine@gmail.com

Funders: Hatch-a-Film Bay Street Film Festival, Ontario Arts Council

Made in association with: Flash Frame Thunder Bay

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? September 13-16, VOX POPULAR, Thunder Bay Film Festival