HollyShorts / Reeling Film Festival 2019– After You Left
The memories come flooding back when Andrea's ex-girlfriend returns the last few items from their prior life together.
Interview with Writer/Director April Maxey
Watch After You Left on Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The script was actually inspired by a journal entry I frantically wrote after seeing my ex for the last time when I went to get my last few boxes back from her. There is this weird roller coaster of emotions one has when seeing their ex: being casual and cool, getting along, laughing, wondering what their life is like now, apologizing, realizing you will never see them again, realizing they have moved on and now you have to as well... I thought it was a very relatable moment that many people must experience. In my work, I am always looking to portray these moments specifically through the perspective of a queer woman.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because it might feel cathartic for you, if you've ever seen your ex for a mundane task months after a breakup!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
At the root of it, it's really about the emotional journey you must take after experiencing the loss of a part of your life that for so long you defined yourself by. It's about finding yourself again, and picking up the pieces, and once you can do that, you feel a sense of freedom. In my personal work, I am always exploring the emotional effects of love on the individual: being loved, wanting love, not having love. What that does to a person, and how it changes them.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
At first, I was featuring more the stories of other characters, (her ex, the girl she wakes up next to in the morning) and trying to make it more of an ensemble piece. I eventually realized that shorts work best when they focus on one moment, one experience. So it ended up being about the experience through the eyes of this one character. I always know how my shorts will end even before I write them. So I knew it would end with this moment of her alone, feeling both vulnerable and free, with a shot that widens out, opening up the world.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have actually received some very positive feedback and I love that some of it is from outside the LGBTQ community. My work has mostly played for queer audiences int the past, but this short was really the first to play at "mainstream" festivals like Palm Springs and Hollyshorts. It is really cool that people outside our own community can watch and relate to the film. I think that is always my goal - to bring the queer female narrative to a broader audience while keeping the specificity of that experience intact.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes, it has surprised me that so many straight men are so moved emotionally by my film! Of course, that was the goal - to prove that our experiences are relatable and therefore deserve to be seen as "mainstream", but it definitely was encouraging. Because there were points in my career where people told me to be careful about putting myself in a box as a gay niche filmmaker... but I never understood that - the idea that just because you have a protagonist who happens to be gay that it is only a gay film. LGBTQ people have experiences outside of being gay - and those are the stories I am interested in telling! When we go see any other movie we don't call it "a heterosexual film", it's just a film. So instead of thinking of it as strictly an LGBTQ film, it's a drama film or a relationship film. But I think we are slowly moving towards that direction.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd love to let people know about my work if they are looking for queer female directors! Also, it seems like a great community of filmmakers to be a part of!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'm currently on the festival circuit with this short, so it would be great to connect with festival directors and programmers! We have been accepted to nine festivals so far, but I'd love to bring it to more fests! I, of course, enjoy connecting with other filmmakers as well!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would just like for this film to be seen by both people in the queer community and outside of the queer community, and for it to be a piece of art that other people can find truth in. Most of us do experience heartbreak, regret, and complicated feelings after a breakup, so I think it is something that can be emotionally impactful for many people of different walks of life and identities.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it possible to love someone and let them go?
Would you like to add anything else?
Just that you can check out more of my work on my website: aprilmaxey.com
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently writing another short about a 66-year-old butch woman who is finally able to be open to a connection again sixteen years after the sudden passing of her partner. I am separately writing a drama pilot about an underground strip club and the queer women who work there.
Interview: August 2019
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
After You Left
The memories come flooding back when Andrea's ex-girlfriend returns the last few items from their prior life together.
Length: 9:25
Director: April Maxey
Producer: Maron Warhaftig
Writer: April Maxey
About the writer, director and producer:
APRIL MAXEY is originally from San Antonio Texas. After You Left is her 4th narrative short film. Her shorts have collectively won seven awards and played at over 60 festivals in 14 countries. She is currently based in NYC and also works as a freelance Director of Photography.
Key cast: Adriana Santos (Andrea), Marija Abney (Alex)
Looking for: film festival directors
Facebook: April Maxey
Instagram: @amaxey422
Website: www.aprilmaxey.com/after-you-left
Other: Vimeo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hollyshorts Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA - August 11 ,2019; Reeling Film Festival, Chicago, IL - September 28, 2019; NCGLFF, Durham, NC - August 16th & 19th 2019; Milwaukee Film Festival, October 2019.