Pan African Film Festival 2020 – Dignity
Dignity is a love story between a woman and her family. However, the family's strength is tested when a moral decision must be made.
Interview with Writer/Director Pat Battistini and Producer Lorey Hayes
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
PAT: A friend of mine is a social worker that specializes in hospice care. We got into a discussion about the "Death with Dignity" statute in California and I thought it was such an intriguing and fascinating subject. Thus, I wanted to "bring it to life" since it will be such a huge part of many people's lives in the future.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
PAT: Someday, we all will face death. We all have loved ones who will face death. This film will give everyone in the audience food for thought on how they would choose to die if given the opportunity. It will also provoke a moral discussion if this law should give people the freedom to choose when and where they want to die.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
LOREY: Feedback on the film has actually supported my very strong point of view. I have been a huge supporter of THE RIGHT TO DIGNITY in life and Death. So many people I loved have had very challenging passings, where we didn't recognize the strong, vibrant humans they represented in life. I cried many tears over feelings of helpless about not being able to help make their passings more comfortable (and dignified) -- as I know they would have wanted.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
PAT: A story that deals with such a sensitive issue can be awfully emotionally draining with not only myself but the audience and actors as well. After I did my first draft, I knew there was an undertone of love in the family's relationship but I wanted to heighten it more so the viewers would have someplace to go emotionally. So with that in mind, I wanted to show a lot of love as well as sorrow.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
PAT: With other films, I have done, after the screening you get a lot of questions about the process of making the film, story, etc. With this film, after the screening, the audience seems to share their experiences losing a loved one. Story after story about what they went through. It's almost therapeutic for them. Another big thing we've heard is that the majority of people have never heard of this statute. Currently, there are eight states and the District of Columbia that allow it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
LOREY: My Sister, Shelia cried so hard when she saw the movie and was angry that my Mom and Grandmother did not have a choice. The letters from viewers are pouring in; thanking us for making this film and making information about the Death With Dignity Law available to them to share with their friends and loved one.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
PAT: As filmmakers, we are storytellers. Stories are meant to be read or seen. Through your website, we hope to nudge the curiosity in your readers to take the time to search out and watch this gem of a film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
PAT: The majority of filmmakers truly are independent. It's a small miracle any time a filmmaker can finish their film. Once the film is complete, we are looking for another small miracle to take the film to the next level to give the cast and crew another opportunity to create another project. Any of the above people can help extend the life of the film and help get it seen.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
LOREY: I am so very proud to help uplift, inform and challenge others to think long and hard about the important decisions this new law now gives us an opportunity to make. I am pleased with our lawmakers for passing this very needed act and sincerely hope our film DIGNITY can be used as a catalyst for group discussions in COMMUNITIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS around the world.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should mankind play God even if God gave us the intelligence to make death a pain free path to heaven?
Would you like to add anything else?
PAT: Just on a personal note, thank you for this wonderful opportunity for us to share our stories, opinions, and film!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm finishing up the festival circuit with my previous short, Tin Can which we were fortunate enough to screen in sixty-eight festivals and win twenty-six awards. Currently, along with Dignity, I have two other short films that have just started their festival runs. Ms. Rossi is a five minute comedic short that I shot in Italy and Advice is a nine-minute low-brow comedy I shot after finishing Dignity. I needed something really light to write and film after finishing such a heavy film. ;o)
Interview: February 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
Dignity
Dignity is a love story between a woman and her family. However, the family's strength is tested when a moral decision must be made.
Length: 26:00
Director: Pat Battistini
Producer: Lorey Hayes
Writer: Pat Battistini
About the writer, director and producer:
PAT BATTISTINI is a native of Gary, Indiana. Pat began his career as an actor in Chicago, then moved to Miami, and finally ended up in Los Angeles in the fall of ’98. In LA, since 2001, he has written, directed, edited and produced fifteen short films. His 2019 film, Tin Can has been screened in over sixty-eight film festivals and has won twenty-seven awards. His feature screenplay, Rebound has also won two screenwriting categories respectively.
LOREY HAYES is a Broadway Actress, writer, producer, (Original For Colored Girls cast) has starred in several Pan African Festival films: including Mike Uganda’s HAPPINESS (2017) with Vanessa Simmons (also starring this year’s ZULU WEDDING male lead, Darrin Dewitt Henson); Kai Town’s TRANSCEND (2017), Reggie Gaskin’s URBAN LOVE STORY (2016) and female lead in Tony Pringle’s multi-award winning SECOND TIME AROUND. Lorey also stars with Anthony Payne (ZULU WEDDING) in the multi-award-winning faith-based feature A HEART THAT FORGIVES.
Key cast: Lorey Hayes (Anna), Tom Katsis (Steve), Mildred Langford (Sabrina), Clay Cureton (Robert), Ray Chao (Dr. Lum)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Dignity
Twitter: @HoosierFilms
Instagram: @hooszrdaddy, @hoosier_daddy_films
Hashtags used: #DignityMovie
Website: hoosierdaddyfilms.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Toronto Black Film Festival/Toronto - February 16; Love Your Shorts Film Festival/Sanford, Florida - February 16; Halifax Black Film Festival/Halifax - March 1.