HollyShorts / Queen Palm Film Festival 2018 - Cut
After being the victim of revenge porn, 17-year-old Chloe decides to enter a fitness modeling competition in order to change her image. But once at the competition she realises that her slutty image will be difficult to shed. How far will she go to redefine herself and regain control?
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Eva Sigurdardottir
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I simply had to tell this story. Both the world and the character were so important to share, as well as I knew it would be a treat to make this film.
'Cut' takes place during a fitness/bodybuilding competition, and it is a world that I have been fascinated with for a long time. I am by no means a fitness addict or a bodybuilder, but I am so impressed with the dedication and hard work that these people undertake. It is all consuming, sometimes a bit too much so. More importantly, this film tells the story of a victim of revenge porn and her desperate attempt to try and regain control over her image and life. I thought that through a drama it would be a unique way to show the pain and trauma caused by such a violation.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
With every film I make I try and challenge my audience. Ask them an uncomfortable question. I hope that with 'Cut' the audience ponder just how traumatic the effects of revenge porn are, as well as body and slut-shaming. There is a real person that gets affected with every nasty comment posted online or a passing dirty comment thrown in the street.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I use my films to reflect on very personal themes, but then apply them to a more universal setting. With 'Cut' I wanted to explore body image and the effects slut shaming can have on a person, something I know that I have experienced and I am sure most women have in one way or another. But in order to explore these themes I applied them to a more dynamic setting and story. Ultimately, my film is about themes that concern me, told through a specific character, yet they open up discussions which most people can relate to.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I did a lot of research, and obviously with this research the world and setting of the film became more real and authentic. But the idea was always there, and it was more a question of further defining and developing Chloe's journey.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film raises a lot of eyebrows and gets people talking after the screenings. I love this as it's what I hoped to achieve. The festival circuit has been very positive, and the fitness world has accepted the film which was super important to me!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think the feedback has more surprised the audience itself than it has me, but we had to fight to have the film end the way it does. Without spoiling the viewing experience, let's just say that it is not a happy ending. This 'negative' – or what I like to call 'realistic' – ending was something film executives wanted to challenge us on during development, but I felt it was more important to stay true to reality and pose an uncomfortable question. And so the ending may shock the audience, but when you stop to think about it, it is probably closer to reality than a happy ending would have been.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Ultimately I want people to see my film, and so with raising the profile of the film I hope that people get a chance to see it. I also think it is always so important to highlight the work of female directors, and as I am one I guess I should embrace every opportunity to be interviewed!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would love to see the film screen at more festivals as well as on some more commercial platforms like TV channels or online platforms. Furthermore I always welcome more publicity on the film as well as on the topic itself.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want to get people talking about the traumatic effects that revenge porn and slut-shaming have for young women. In today's world of easily-accessible porn, we often forget that there is sometimes or even often an unwilling or non-consenting person on the other end of the lens. We just need to become more mindful of how we treat our young men and women, particularly in this current climate of social media and online platforms that cater to every sexual need or desire.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I want people to ask: "what effect does revenge porn have on the victim?"
Would you like to add anything else?
This was an amazing production to work on, and I particularly want to highlight the work of my young actresses, Kennedy Atkins (Chloe) and Megan Prescott (Becky). The two of them had five weeks to get into competition shape, and then had to stay in this peak shape for five days! Not only that, but they had to act and work long shoot days. It was unbelievable to see their dedication and focus... not only that, but we actually entered them into a real competition in order to get some stage shots, and they both ended up winning their categories! These women were my inspiration and motivation throughout the entire production period, and continue to impress me every day.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Producer Alexandra Blue and me (Eva Sigurdardottir, director) are developing a feature film that we hope to shoot in the UK. The film is in early stages, and it touches of themes of racism, family relationships and grief.
Interview: August 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, WOC, Latinx, 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
Cut
After being the victim of revenge porn, 17-year-old Chloe decides to enter a fitness modeling competition in order to change her image. But once at the competition she realises that her slutty image will be difficult to shed. How far will she go to redefine herself and regain control?
Length: 18 min
Director: Eva Sigurdardottir
Producer: Alexandra Blue, Eva Sigurdardottir
Writer: Eva Sigurdardottir
About the writer, director and producer:
EVA SIGURDARDOTTIR is a multi-awarded film director and producer from Iceland. Based in London and working both as a producer and writer-director, she focuses on female driven storytelling and female filmmakers.
ALEXANDRA BLUE (producer) is an award-winning producer based in London and originally from Australia. She is a creative producer, committed to telling stories that reach out to an audience and create emotional connections.
Key cast: Kennedy Atkins, Megan Prescott, Marlon G. Day
Looking for: Distributors, Buyers, Film Festival Directors, Journalists
Social media handles: @cuttheshort
Facebook: Cut The Short
Twitter: @evammsig
Instagram: @evammsig
Funders: Icelandic Film Centre, Shorts TV, Erasmus+
Produced by: Bluebird Productions, Askja Films
Made in association with: SKOT Productions, Vault Films
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hollyshorts (Los Angeles - August 13th), Queen Palm Film Festival (Palm Springs - August), and Wiz Art (Ukraine - August)