Slamdance Film Festival 2020 – Chubby
A ten-year-old girl struggles with the residual trauma of her sexual abuse.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Madeleine Sims-Fewer
Watch Chubby on Vimeo on demand
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My co-director Dusty had really encouraged me to make a film that was personal to me, and I sort of sat with that for a long time, and realized that most of my work was a criticism or commentary on society, and that maybe I was a bit afraid to write something deeply resonant. When we started working together I asked him if he wanted to write something with me that was based on an experience from my childhood. Through writing Chubby we really mined our own personal traumas! It wasn’t an easy film to create, but I think if it can resonate with someone in the audience and make them feel less alone, then it was worth it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Chubby is not an easy film to watch. It’s highly uncomfortable, but the character of Jude is so captivating that you’ll want to watch her. Without giving too much away, it deals with an issue that is often not talked about, and it’s something that is important to be aware of and vocal about.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It is a personal film, but also a work of fiction, so hopefully through the writing and construction of the story people will relate to the idea of a family secret, and the consequences of avoiding dealing with uncomfortable truths. Also the central sibling relationship will hopefully resonate with people.
Chubby is set during a family Christmas, with the quarrels, the carols, the cooking, and the usual family melee! Everyone can find some warmth and truth there too. But there is also the side of Christmas where you might feel like an outsider; like you should be having fun and getting along, or that you’re faking it. The personal story of Jude, and this awful revelation she has made speaks to the wider idea of not wanting to disrupt family harmony that we can all relate to on some level, I think.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Yes, mostly in the editing. We realized once we had shot Chubby that Jude’s story was really the centre of the film, but in the script the older sister and mother had equal page time. As we were watching cuts we kept yearning to see how Jude was reacting, and made the decision to structure each scene around her turmoil, rather than focusing too hard on the moral argument between her family members.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People just love Maya (the actor who plays Jude) and are blown away by her honest, hilarious performance. She’s so raw and natural, and audiences really warm to her tremendously.
This is the best feedback for us, because we really knew she was ‘the one’ when we watched her audition tape, but she’s never acted before, so there was trepidation from some over whether she could pull it off. But her mum (who is just the most incredible person) also cleverly sent us a blooper reel of outtakes, and it was this that really convinced me and Dusty that if we could capture her personality on camera it would be something really special.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One particular comment definitely threw us, and it was about Jude’s agency in what happens to her, and how she seemed to be 'asking for it'. We take for granted that it is obvious that a ten-year-old should never be put in a sexual situation with an adult, but there is still this archaic view of the Lolita type, who is somehow self-possessed and manipulative and understands sex. This is utter nonsense, but this view that some little girls know what they want sexually is still prevalent, and that’s why we’re starting this conversation.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would just like more people to see it! Art craves an audience, and I would like to reach as many people as possible.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We do not have a distributer at the moment, and have only just started the festival journey (Chubby premiered at Telluride in September 2019).
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope this film will give someone the courage to be vocal about their own abuse. Even just one person. It’s vital and empowering to speak out. It’s the only way to effect change.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I can’t think of a question that will spark a debate without totally blowing the ending of the film! And I want people to see it…so, see the film and then find me and Dusty and we can debate about it.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Dusty and I are currently in post-production on our debut feature film. The film is a psychological thriller about sisterhood, betrayal, and revenge and stars Jesse LaVercombe who is also in Chubby. We’re deep into the editing process, and will be releasing the film later this year. Watch this space...
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
Chubby
A ten-year-old girl struggles with the residual trauma of her sexual abuse.
Length: 22:00
Director: Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli
Producer: Hayley Brown, Yona Strauss, Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli, Adam Crosby
Writer: Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli
About the writer, director and producer:
MADELEINE SIMS-FEWER and DUSTY MANCINELLI met at the 2015 TIFF Talent Lab and experienced an instant convergence of minds, quickly joining forces as a filmmaking duo. Highly focused on a naturalistic performance style and visual aesthetic, their films explore gender politics, the selfishness of human nature, and abuse of power. Their short film Slap Happy screened at BFI London Film Festival, VIFF and Slamdance, among others, and their latest short Woman in Stall won the Jury Award for Narrative Student Short at the Austin Film Festival and the Narrative Shorts Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance. They are currently in post-production on their first feature film.
Key cast: Maya Harman, Deragh Campbell, Jesse LaVercombe
Looking for: distributors, sales agents
Website: www.dmfilms.com/chubby
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Slamdance/Park City - January 25, 9.30pm, Gallery; Slamdance/Park City - January 28th, 3pm, Ballroom