Cleveland International Film Festival 2020 – False Gods
False Gods finds a talented but shy poet discovering words have more power than she ever imagined.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Rafeeq Roberts
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I've always been drawn to mythology and importance or purpose it serves. This idea, or need, led me into the field of film.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film centers around the sense of injustice many people of color feel, but also questions what the response to that injustice should be.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In this film personal theme center around the human need of finding a place to belong and how one deals with the sense of hopelessness in the face of larger policies and ideas. In a universal sense, the themes are ones of learning that words have more power than you think, and one person can create unforeseen ripples throughout the world.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This film is based on a feature treatment. So it is a distillation of a couple of major plot points. But there is more to be told.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have said they want to continue this adventure, to explore more of the world of False Gods.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Surprised and re-energized me to continue work on the feature.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Connect with kindred spirits and become more accessible to them.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Producers, Festival directors, Agents.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Whet people’s appetites to explore this world further.
Would you like to add anything else?
In a world inundated with social media can one person's words actually make a difference?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are developing the feature for False Gods.
Interview: May 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
False Gods
False Gods finds a talented but shy poet discovering words have more power than she ever imagined.
Length: 31:24
Director: Rafeeq Roberts
Producer: Liz DuChez, Rafeeq Roberts
Writer: Rafeeq Roberts
About the writer, director and producer:
RAFEEQ ROBERTS is a writer, director and producer from Cleveland, Ohio. His work has centered on and delves into themes of the philosophical. He hopes to explore and produce modern-day mythology.
LIZ DUCHEZ was born as Elizabeth Ann DuChez. She is known for her work on Madtown (2016), Parallel (2015) and The Path of the Wind (2009).
Key cast: Nailah Mathews (Alexia), Ashleigh Morghan (Steph), Dontez James (David)
Facebook: Rafeeq Roberts
Twitter: @RafeeqRoberts
Instagram: @rafeeqroberts
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? TBD