AmDocs 2019 – Macdella
A 40-year-old single mother returns to her homeland of Liberia to run for President. In a country torn by war, disease, and corruption, she perseveres against her 19 male opponents, including the father of her youngest child.
Interview with Director Aliya Naumoff
Watch Macdella here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I met MacDella Cooper in the fall of 2016 at a dinner in her favorite restaurant in New York City. MacDella was enthusiastically beginning her campaign for president in her home country of Liberia. A couple of her friends from the U.N. joined us and everyone was excited about her upcoming campaign. MacDella’s story and perseverance amazed me. I was inspired by her fearless bold confidence. I was moved by her story. In my opinion, she is an example of how a progressive woman can enter the political arena with no legislative experience and still make an impact — which is why I decided to document her story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film takes you to Liberia and reveals a glimpse of the current conditions where many people live. This may be a stark contrast to what most people have ever experienced. It tells the story of one woman trying to make a difference in her community.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My mother was a child refugee. She lived in refugee camps across Europe before coming to New York City on the boat. She worked hard her whole life, then raised me in a home where we housed new immigrant families. I watched their struggle as they fought to create a new life in a foreign country.
Not only was MacDella a child refugee, she went back to fight for her country to help the people have a better life. When I asked her where she found the motivation to get back up when she got knocked down, she told me, “The fight was never for me, it’s for the people. It’s easier to fight for others than it is for yourself.”
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The story evolved throughout the campaign. She faced a lot of difficulties. Despite exhausting circumstances, corruption from within her own political party, media attacks, death threats, and three small children at home who demanded her attention, she was always grateful for the opportunity to be alive.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People seem to really appreciate her character.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
People want to see more. Everyone wants to meet her.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Macdella is going to run for President again in 2023. I would love to make her story into a feature documentary film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We will need funding to make her story into a feature film. We have a whole pitch deck created.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
MacDella's story may inspire people around the world to engage with their community, focus on improving the lives of others, and encourage more women to run for office.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How can a woman with no legislative experience enter the political arena and make an impact?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for watching our film.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The editor and I recently made a viral video series for Swing Left to flip the House for the midterm elections. We shot Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, and over 40 celebrities to create an impact campaign. And we did it!
We recently made a short film about women's hormones for a new app that helps women understand their bodily changes throughout the month.
We continue to make important impactful films that will inspire and educate people to create positive change in the world.
Interview: April 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
Macdella
A 40-year-old single mother returns to her homeland of Liberia to run for President. In a country torn by war, disease, and corruption, she perseveres against her 19 male opponents, including the father of her youngest child.
Length: 9:19
Director: Aliya Naumoff
Producer: Aliya Naumoff
Writer: Aliya Naumoff
Editor Vanessa Roworth
About the writer, director and producer:
ALIYA NAUMOFF documents the world around her, capturing portraits of unique individuals. Her short films dive into the heart of her subjects, exposing their reality to educate and inspire others. Published by The New York Times, Vogue, Refinery29, and The Washington Post, Aliya's films focus on a range of social issues. Aliya creates advertising campaigns and commercials from a human perspective. Her work has led her to consult for the Obama Administration and the U.N. to help influence change.
VANESSA ROWORTH is a New York-based film & video editor specializing in documentary. Her work has screened as official selections at film festivals worldwide including Berlin, SXSW, Hot Docs, Full Frame, Edinburgh, and AFI. Vanessa recently edited the feature documentary Medora (Beachside Films) which premiered at the 2013 SXSW film festival. Her first feature documentary Blank City was released theatrically in 2011 by Kino Lorber/ Insurgent Media following a successful premiere at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival. Currently working as a freelance editor, Vanessa has also cut numerous projects from short-form documentary to music videos to commercials.
Key cast: MacDella Cooper
Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, buyers, sales agents
Twitter: @AliyaNaumoff
Instagram: @aliyanaumoff
Website: www.aliyanaumoff.com
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? womenintheworld.com