Alvin Cruz, a depressed and lonely remote network engineer, finds solace in video games, TV, and binge eating. While paying for dinner, Alvin suffers a heart attack. He wakes up in a hospital and encounters a stoic nurse who provides more questions than answers. Dr. Miller, cocky and charismatic, arrives to explain Alvin's problematic medical record. Despite his protests, Alvin is forced to undergo a strict dietary and exercise regiment. It's an arching intervention that drives Alvin to overcome internal anguish and sad truths.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Christy Anna Wu

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Simply put, Alvin was a cathartic journey for me. I had always known that I wanted to be a storyteller since my elementary days, be it in writing, music, or visual art. With filmmaking being a combination of all of my passions, it made the most sense to debut a story close to my heart. And that story is about an unlucky person in a disadvantaged situation who must overcome their personal demons.

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

Alvin touches on a lot of psychological, sociological, and political topics. And while the film is fictional, it takes a look at what-ifs. There’s a curiosity or fascination behind the situation that the lead character, Alvin Cruz, finds himself in. Alvin is an extension of myself and my experiences and I hope that viewers will find any layer of this allegory interesting or relatable. The film is dark, moody, and introspective despite how linear it may appear.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Some may resonate with the lead character’s form of addiction – in this case, with food. Some may find themselves intrigued by the power play exhibited by Dr. Miller’s character. And some will catch topical subjects that are casually inserted in the storyline. An overarching theme centers on the meaning of freedom, literal or not.

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

The initial draft of the script was written in about a month. It was then edited about 8 times over the following three months. A lot of the dialogue was pruned down because there was simply too much exposition. I also developed more of an antagonistic relationship between Alvin and the medical staff. It felt too soft otherwise. In general, it was about adjusting the pacing, especially when you’re telling so much in so little time.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We did a private screening for cast, crew, friends, and family back in August, and it went well. The film is “fast-paced” and in particular, a “thinker.” Alvin can be a bit open-ended so it might not have the expected resolution.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

In contrast to some of the positive reception, I’ve received some feedback that questioned the pacing and storyline. It wasn’t very specific so I can’t quite pinpoint the issues nor can I spoil anything. Occasionally, I sometimes think it would’ve been nice to make a feature out of this story to give it more time to breathe, but it wasn’t feasible because of budget and timing.

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

By gaining more visibility, I hope to make more connections, whether it’s with other filmmakers or the general public. I want to keep telling heartfelt and original stories, but in order to do that, I need support. Even if it’s constructive criticism, it helps me grow as a filmmaker.

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

It’d be rad to have film festival directors supporting this film. We’re early in the process with film festival applications right now and are simply waiting to hear back. I’ll be sending out another wave of applications for the summer and fall.

Behind the scenes of Alvin - Christy Anna Wu, Director

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

Honestly, I would like the film to be regarded as having potential. I think of all the factors and variables that could have made this movie sing even more, but as I mentioned earlier, we had a limited budget. And as a first-time director and producer, there were pitfalls I encountered or situations that I overlooked. But for a first movie, backed by an incredible cast and crew, I’m really proud of what we accomplished.

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

Ooo, tough question. So I’ll ask a tough question: What is true freedom and how do you define it?

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

I’m in the early stages of a new short, tentatively called Druiwe, about a homeless father and son looking to make a quick buck. Past that, I’d love to get started on a TV pilot or feature.

Interview: January 2020

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

Alvin

Length: 14:53

Director: Christy Anna Wu

Producer: Sophia Gutierrez Perez

Writer: Christy Anna Wu

About the writer, director and producer:

CHRISTY ANNA WU is a filmmaker based in Seattle, WA. With a diverse background in design, art, and engineering, she's traversed many career paths. In 2018, she led the production of her first short film, Alvin. Her art tends to be darkly emotive, rife with harsh experiences and social commentary. As she continues her career in the industry, she hopes to inspire other filmmakers with her artistry.

Key cast: TJ Alvarado (Alvin), KC Guyer (Dr. Miller), Sonya Davis (Kathy)

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, buyers, distributors

Facebook: Alvin: The Movie

Twitter: @alvinthemovie

Instagram: @alvinthemovie

Hashtags used: #alvinmovie #alvinthemovie #alvin

Website: alvinthemovie.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? It's currently in the Film Festival Submission phase - no premiere date is available at this time.