Ciara is finding it increasingly difficult to cope in her capacity as care-giver for her mother with dementia. The unexpected arrival of her sister Amy, the favorite, changes everything including her perspective.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Marie Clare Cushinan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I think we made the film as a matter of urgency. We needed to prove to ourselves that we could. I was inspired by a podcast about the 'improv approach' to dealing with dementia/Alzheimer's disease. It seemed like such a relevant, genuine story to tell and I wanted to bring it to a new audience.

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

I imagine audiences would connect with the redemptive arc the main character undergoes in the film; a process of acceptance and coming to terms with an awful situation which somehow leaves the viewer on a good note despite the subject matter.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The universal theme would be perception. The personal acceptance that a change of perspective can help put you at ease with a hard time in life.

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

The biggest change during the production of our film was the removal of CGI monkeys from the ending. This was suggested to us by a festival programmer after seeing a rough cut with the monkeys included. We are in complete agreement now, of course.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The most positive responses have been from those who have experienced the issues highlighted in the film. Many felt that they could relate to the characters.

Sophia Adli (foreground), Susie Kelly and Maeve Smyth (background) in Monkeys in the Garden

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Not really. In the film, I tried to show the different points of view from both the carer and the cared for. Ultimately it's about seeing things from a different point of view.

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

As the film is now coming to the end of its festival run we would hope to reach a new, wider audience online to give it a new lease of life.

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

I think the impact we would hope to make is to challenge people's ideas of how to deal with those with Dementia/Alzheimer's disease.

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

The debate lies in whether you agree or disagree with the improv approach when dealing with the flights of fancy and confusion that someone with dementia/Alzheimer's goes through.

Would you like to add anything else?

We made 'Monkeys in the Garden' on a shoestring budget with an all-female cast and a crew of only 5 people. I'm incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve.

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

We just finished shooting our next short film, 'Parent', which is shorter, more self-contained and with an even smaller crew than 'Monkeys in the Garden.' Hopefully you will see 'Parent' on the festival circuit in the coming year. After 'Parent' we're going to take a break from drama for a while. We have several other projects in the pipeline, from comedy to horror. It's going to be a busy year ahead for Je Suis Le Cat Productions.

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

Monkeys in the Garden

Length: 12 minutes

Director: Marie Clare Cushinan

Producer: Marie Clare Cushinan, Ryan O'Neill

Writer: Marie Clare Cushinan

About the writer, director and producer:

MARIE CLARE CUSHINAN works as a freelance Script Supervisor based in Northern Ireland. She has worked on features such as Bad Day For the Cut and Zoo. To date she has only produced small, self-funded shorts. Monkeys in the Garden marks her first foray in working with a full cast and crew. She wrote, directed and produced the film with her partner Ryan acting as co-producer and DOP.

Key cast: Sophia Adli, Susie Kelly, Meave Smyth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeSuisLeCat/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeSuisLeCat

Funders: self funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Still Voices International Short Film Festival, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, Ireland. August 16 - 19