Whistler Film Festival / TIFF's TOP TEN 2019 – Black Conflux
The seemingly separate lives of an anxious, disillusioned teen girl and a troubled, alienated man converge fatefully in this haunting exploration of womanhood, isolation, and toxic masculinity, set in 1980s Newfoundland.
Interview with Writer/Director Nicole Dorsey
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It began as an exploration of fate; whether two people from seemingly different worlds meet out of coincidence or is something cosmically guiding them to one another their whole lives. From there I became very interested in identity and what shapes one's identity; culture, family, society, media, etc. After I wrote the first draft in late 2015, I realized there was an important conversation I wanted to contribute to, so the film took on much more meaning for me, beyond my own curiosities.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To give you something to ponder about when you think about your own identity and what's shaped you and what paths you've chosen to take at various moments.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Jackie is very close to me. The way in which she reckons with her blossoming physicality and the power it holds is very reminiscent of my own teenage years. But I think it's also pretty universal. Isolation, alienation and masculinity are also pretty big themes in the film and all intersect with one another. Though Dennis can be more dark and extreme, I think there's a lot about him that connects with people.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I think I've just remained open the whole way through and as I learned I adapted the script to be more relevant, more informed as I became more informed. I read the news a lot, I read a lot of academic papers and studies and those all helped me address the script. I think Jackie was fairly one dimensional in the first draft too, but over time I allowed her to get closer to my own personal experiences and let go of my fears of being vulnerable.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been really lovely to receive. I was really hoping people would take a greater message of empathy home with them and I'm finding a lot of the conversations sparked are surrounding that topic. It's great!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Sure there's been a handful of people who just don't want to go there or find themselves yearning for convention, but that's just the nature of making a film. I'm not too concerned about it. Perhaps it might spark debate and make space for them to consider the subject matter deeper.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To share my own experience with filmmaking and hopefully inspire someone else to go out there and tell a meaningful story needed in the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We're in the midst of solidifying our distributors, but my hope really is for the film to be accessible to whoever wants to watch it. Streaming is great because you don't have to live in a major city to have access to more independent cinema. So eventually I'd like that for the film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like it to stir conversation and add to the current social narrative. There are men out there that feel angry and isolated and far from a world that they feel they're not part of. I hope this film can shine a little empathy their way. And I hope it can bring strength to women, especially those in search of their identity and relay that it doesn't have to be such a concrete thing. We can be complicated and that's okay!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do you think the events at the end of the film unfold as they do?
Would you like to add anything else?
I don't think so! Thanks for having me!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Writing another feature, developing a couple of TV series and pitching on new projects.
Interview: December 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
Black Conflux
The seemingly separate lives of an anxious, disillusioned teen girl and a troubled, alienated man converge fatefully in this haunting exploration of womanhood, isolation, and toxic masculinity, set in 1980s Newfoundland.
Length: 1:40:00
Director: Nicole Dorsey
Producer: Michael Solomon
Writer: Nicole Dorsey
About the writer, director and producer:
NICOLE DORSEY has worked extensively as a commercial and narrative film director. Her debut feature, Black Conflux (2019), held its world premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival and was awarded Canada's Top Ten. The film took part in the WIDC Story Program and was a finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s Screenplay Contest. Dorsey also directed Arlo Alone (2016) through Canadian broadcaster Bell Media; the short premiered in competition at the Atlanta Film Festival and was a Vimeo Staff Pick and A&E Best Film Winner.
Repped internationally as a commercial director, Dorsey has worked for prestigious companies including Nike, Mattel and Nestlé and has been highlighted by Free The Bid and AdAge.
With a strong penchant for character-driven material, Dorsey aims to present a realist portrayal of the human condition in whichever medium she is directing.
Key cast: Ella Ballentine (Jackie), Ryan McDonald (Dennis), Olivia Scriven (Amber), Luke Bilyk (Donovan), Sofia Banzhaf (Tracey)
Looking for: distributors, buyers
Instagram: @nicoleraedorsey
Hashtags used: #blackconfluxfilm
Website: www.blackconfluxfilm.com
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Band With Pictures
Funders: Telefilm Canada, NLFDC, Rocket Fund
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? TIFF Bell Lightbox in the new year as part of Canada's Top Ten.