Garden State Film Festival 2019 – In the Land of Moonstones
A young girl looks back on her first love and her friendship with her Russian immigrant grandmother.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Nicola Rose
Watch In the Land of Moonstones here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to make a moment about the incredibly awkward, super-intense moment right between childhood and adolescence. In the Land of Moonstones is based on a short story that captures this moment in all its messy, romantic weirdness. I wanted to cast the film with child actors who were at this exact, fleeting stage of life (blink and you miss it!), and I found them. So we went ahead.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because everybody has had a first love, a true friend, or (if you're lucky) both. I've been amazed at how much the movie has resonated with everyone who has seen it — but then I shouldn't be, because the experiences are so universal.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think in this film, the personal IS universal. It's the story of one girl, who falls in love for the first time with a boy her age, and who has a very special and deep bond with her grandma. So those details may not apply to every person. But the depth of her feelings and the awkwardness of them are extremely universal. I love watching people cringe and murmur and laugh and cry their way through the movie. They're taken right back to being the protagonist's age, to feeling everything as strongly as she does.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Since the script was based on a short story, it originally followed the source text very literally. But once we got into casting, things started to evolve naturally, based on who our best actors were. Two characters fused to become one; an uncle became an aunt. Parts of the story that were important at the beginning became less important to the movie at the end and got cut.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have very visceral reactions to it. It deals with very raw feelings and has an emotional surprise ending, so people come out extremely invested. They always want to talk to me about the two lead actors (the kids, ages 11 and 12 at the time of filming), because they seem so real onscreen. And indeed you are seeing them very much as they are. That's something unique that you get with child actors. No matter how much an adult bares their soul, it's hard to be as raw and genuine as a kid.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One surprising bit of feedback I've gotten once or twice is that people have wanted the film to be much longer, to have subplots delving into the backstories of the supporting characters. I'm not about to do it — I have other projects to worry about, and limited funds — but it's gratifying to me because it shows how involved people get with the characters.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want people to know that mid-length films are valuable. In the Land of Moonstones ended up being 38 minutes, because that is its natural and best length. Not all films fall neatly into the categories of short or feature. If a mid-length film is good it should be programmed. However, most film festivals, for any number of reasons, don't see fit to do so. That's their prerogative, but I will never agree with it. Mid-length films, just like films of any other length, can make you laugh and cry and fall in love. We need more forums for films of this size. Medium doesn't mean mediocre.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this stage, film festival directors. If you are a film festival director, please see above. The others come later!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want it to reach as many people as possible.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm working on my next short film, Gabrielle, about a girl who has to rise above bullying by her ballet teacher. Our supporting actress Valeriya Korennaya starred in the film, which is currently in post-production. Our crew is always working on multiple projects — too many to keep track of. The two kids who starred in In the Land of Moonstones have been quiet since but I suspect it's only a matter of time until they become stars.
Interview: April 2019
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In the Land of Moonstones
A young girl looks back on her first love and her friendship with her Russian immigrant grandmother.
Length: 38:11
Director: Nicola Rose
Producer: Nicola Rose
Writer: Nicola Rose
About the writer, director and producer:
NICOLA ROSE is a film director based in New York City. Her recent work includes the award-winning films Creative Block and In the Land of Moonstones, the latter currently on the festival circuit. Her third film, Gabrielle, is due out within the year. She received her bachelor's degree from Columbia University and her master's from the Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle Paris III.
Key cast: Natalie Keating (The Girl), Rand McAvoy (Boris), Valeriya Korennaya (Babu), Vicky Golbraykh (Mom), Pavel Shatu (Dad), Valerie O'Hara (Olga)
Looking for: sales agents, journalists, distributors, producers, film festival directors, buyers
Facebook: In the Land of Moonstones
Twitter: @nicolarosemce
Instagram: @nicolarosemce
Hashtags used: #inthelandofmoonstones, #moonstonesfilm, #moonstonesmovie, #theskywillalwaysbeblue
Website: www.nicolarosedirects.com
Funders: Self-funded with the help of Indiegogo contributors