Film Invasion LA 2020 – Micky
In San Francisco, where homelessness is rapidly growing, a young woman travels the streets in search of a home and independence but discovers that comfort is not always a place.
Interview with Writer/Director Aimee Hoffman
Watch Micky here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
After having done some short documentary and commercial work, I really wanted to work within narrative films, as a way to start exploring things I personally wanted to say. I have felt misunderstood my entire life and find myself creating characters that are often misjudged by society, people left behind and also exploring familial relationships and the effects they have on us. The story of Micky came to me from my personal experiences in Canada, specifically my mother being evicted from our family home, mixed with the different kinds of homelessness that I was seeing in San Francisco, where I was living at the time, especially that of single mothers in transition and people living in their cars. I wanted to tell the story of a homeless teenage girl we could all relate with, but from the outside people wouldn’t often look for that depth, and exploring the complexities and strength of mother/daughter relationships.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I believe that the lead character Micky is someone that many people could relate to, her rebelliousness, her teenage angst, insecurity, vulnerability, and strength. All against the backdrop of a part of San Francisco that is often avoided or misunderstood by many people who live and visit there.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the personal and universal may bleed into each other, but personally, this idea of being thrown into an adult world and being responsible for your own survival when you’re still trying to figure out being a teenager, and the complexities and curiosities that come with it, then being misjudged by everyone around you. Universally, the strained relationships that we have with our mothers, being angry with them, blaming them, and wanting to prove we don’t need them, but at the end of the day, we give in and admit we need them no matter how complex the relationship is.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Having been my first script, there was a lot of learning over the course of the project, I would say mostly in the edit. Learning to tighten it, having to cut parts I loved to create a better story, learning to take feedback, all of those fun things. I definitely look back and think of the things I would have done differently, but that's the beauty of moving forward and putting it into the next one.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
A lot of people have related to the main character, Micky. Her strength, rebelliousness, and vulnerability. The actress is also my younger sister and I’m proud that many people have praised her performance and were able to relate. I’ve been told that though there is a darkness to the film, her character brings it light. My mother, who helped produce the film, attended a Q&A screening in Canada that I wasn’t able to attend, and I was inspired to hear about the continued conversation she had about the complexities of motherhood, especially under difficult circumstances, and how engaged/related people were to the subject matter. People have also enjoyed the score which is something I made so that it’s been great to hear!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It’s been mostly encouraging. The idea that you can create something that resonates with people and characters who they can relate to. Any constructive feedback has been helpful and I’m excited to take it all into my next project.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The more people who can feel a connection to a journey the better. It encourages me to continue on this crazy journey of writing and filmmaking. I also admire the work that is supported by the platform so it’s exciting to be a part of that!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would say everyone! But definitely, film festival directors, journalists, anyone who can help spread the story, and also build relationships with others in the field to continue telling these kinds of stories.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be great, firstly, to open people up to the depth of those they may judge on their surface level. There is always more to someone's story, maybe that sounds cliche, but I think it’s something we can always explore. I hope it helps people connect with their inner teenage self, their rebelliousness, vulnerability and relationships with their family.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
“Who are the people you misjudge? How could you take a closer look?”
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you to my amazing crew and thank you guys for supporting the film and I hope a few more people take something away from it.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’ve been working on some commercial work and also am working on a script with my younger sister, the lead actress in Micky, in hopes to produce something in Canada, where I'm from, that plays along with similar themes.
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
Micky
In San Francisco, where homelessness is rapidly growing, a young woman travels the streets in search of a home and independence but discovers that comfort is not always a place.
Length: 12:30
Director: Aimee Hoffman
Producer: Andrea Hoffman and Daniel Toman
Writer: Aimee Hoffman
About the writer, director and producer:
AIMEE HOFFMAN recently completed her first narrative short film titled Micky, about a homeless teen trying to make her way in San Francisco. She plans to continue the expansion of her work, both documentary and narrative, focusing on the peripheries of society, personal struggle and strength, and the female gaze.
ANDREA HOFFMAN is a Canadian producer working out of Saskatchewan. She's produced several local and international films that have done achieved global success.
DANIEL TOMAN is a San Francisco based producer and assistant director working across television, documentary and narrative films.
Key cast: Mikhala Hoffman (Micky)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, distributors
Instagram: @aimeekhoffman
Hashtags used: #mickyfilm
Website: www.mickythefilm.com
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Film Invasion Los Angeles - Monday June 8th - Thursday June 18th (exact time TBD); All other festival screenings TBD due to COVID.