Paris
A girl deals with the aftermath of being sexually assaulted, and the decisions she must take.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Mauricio Jauregui
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The script and the story had a deep personal meaning to me. I always try to write something that is important to me and has some relationship to my life. In this case, the script is based on someone who was really close to me when I wrote it. I wanted to work on a story that simply showed this person going through this situation because it happens, and it is not her fault, and she is trying to deal with it.
That is usually a message I like to portray in my stories, and it is that bad stuff happens to good people, but they overcome it because they are strong and good. The short was my junior thesis at school, but I wrote an independent cut without the school's rules so I could add dialogue.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I try to bring something real and interesting to my audience, and something that hopefully makes us think after the short ends. My films deal with subjects that are not easy to talk, and I try to be as objective and respectful as I can to the situation. Also, these situations relate to me on a personal level, but I try to give a general message in the sense of here is a character with a certain situation, and it is difficult but the person is dealing with it. Hopefully, people will empathize with Paris. Everyone goes through something thought and the idea of working it out can be related to anyone.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The character is heavily based on a person that was close to me and some personal characteristics. I would say the universal message is: things happen in life that we don’t expect and are bad, but we deal with them and they make us grow. They mark us, but we overcome them and grow from life.
Also, “love” is a theme shown with Paris’ mother. We need help through these stages of grief and pain, and who better than her mom to represent this idea of help and love.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The short film was really close to the script. There weren’t any big changes. The worst thing that happened, I think, was that it was raining so we had to shoot a scene outside pretty quick, and move one scene to the end of the day.
However, the story changed drastically from the first draft. The first draft dealt only with the sexual assault and it was all over the course of one night. However, I had certain conversations about abortion and added that part to the script. The idea of Paris (the character) going through it and her mom helping her, I thought, was a powerful image that enhanced the story. I asked my editor and close friend if it was weird if the mom was the one helping Paris through her situation, and she understood it. It made more sense than it being a friend. The idea of a mom helping her daughter through anything is really beautiful to me.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
At first, I was definitely scared of showing a short that deals with sexual assault and abortion as a man. But the feedback was good and a lot of subtle things in my short were captured by the audience. I remember after showing it in the ACT Festival and doing the Q&A with the audience, I was truly surprised and happy that many of the decisions I made as we were shooting were noticed by the audience.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It surprised me, but in a positive way. I think the story was understood the way I intended, and people appreciated some of those subtle details I try to add to Paris. The feedback definitely reinforced my goal of writing scripts that are personal, and deal with these types of subjects.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope that my audience sees more into the message and my intention with this film, and I hope to reach more people with this story. I think is a good message, and I hope it can get to some people.
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 love to get into more festivals, but anyone who would like to expand this idea and film. Journalist could. Help to talk about the short and its message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love for this short to create a conversation and just generate more awareness.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the main message of the film is: here’s a problem that our society faces; and we are not really doing enough. But at the same time, I just want people to connect with this character and empathize with her experience.
Would you like to add anything else?
No thank you!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’ve been lately shooting mostly music videos, but I’m writing another short film. I’m also in the process of writing a feature film I hope to shoot in my hometown in Mexico. The short is really similar to the style of Paris but it deals with immigration and life in the US.
Interview: June 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
Paris
A girl deals with the aftermath of being sexually assaulted, and the decisions she must take.
Length: 9:23
Director: Mauricio Jauregui
Producer: Julia Brauner
Writer: Mauricio Jauregui
About the writer, director and producer:
MAURICIO JAUREQUI is a director and cinematographer originally from Mexico, based in LA. He has worked under Sony Music for Columbia Records on two music videos as a director, producer and cinematographer. As a narrative director, he has shot three independent short films: Paris, Introspection and About a Girl. Paris won best student short film at the ACT Human Rights film festival in Colorado.
JULIA BRAUNER is a producer based in LA. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2018 with a degree in Film Production. Paris is the second collaboration from Julia with Mauricio.
Key cast: Gabriela Kostadinova (Paris), Elyse Ashton (mother)
Looking for: journalists, distributors
Facebook: Mauricio Jauregui
Twitter: @MauriJauregui7
Instagram: @maurijaureguidp
Hashtags used: #paris @#
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Clark Zhu
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Vimeo