Fantasia International Film Festival 2019 – The Original
Alana is a woman struggling to keep her relationship alive as her partner suffers from a debilitating illness. A new medical procedure offers the answer to their prayers, but not without forcing her to make one last sacrifice.
Interview with Director Michelle Garza Cervera and Writer Andrew X Fleming
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
AXF: I started The Original as a way to tell a very unconventional story about relationships and about moving on. I love sci-fi within grounded worlds and felt there was an interesting story here.
MGC: I love dark dramas that focus on female emotions and believed this script would let me work with these themes.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
MGC: If you like dark stories with a sci-fi twist, it's for you!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
MGC: I believe the struggle with attachment and not being able to let go of it is universal. Sometimes the fear of losing the ones we love can make us take radical decisions that can have terrifying consequences.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
AXF: The first script was over a much longer period of time. Working with Michelle and the rest of the team, and a very modest budget, made me really focus on what exactly the story was trying to tell. I feel the film is a lot more focus now and more suited to the short film form.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
AXF: My mom thinks it's the best film ever, so that's nice. But yeah we've had great feedback so far. It's been really exciting getting to be a part of big festivals we had followed for years as fans.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
AXF: A lot of people have asked what happens next, which is understandable given how it ends. I feel I know what happens but I guess each viewer can have their own interpretation which is fun.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
AXF: Getting as many people to see the film as possible, meeting new people in the industry and getting to tell more stories.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
AXF: We'd love to hear from anyone that resonated with the film. Whether they come on board to this film or a future project I'm sure we'd make something great.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
AXF: I've always imagined The Original as a feature... so hopefully someone will see it and feel the same way!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
AXF: I think the core of the film is about what extremes you'll go to for a second chance at love. The film is all about a choice and I would hope people would leave the cinema arguing with each other over what they would have done in Alana's shoes.
Would you like to add anything else?
AXF: Thank you for being interested in us and our film!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
MGC: I'm about to film my first feature film next year, it's a horror story called Huesera.
AXF: I have a finished feature script that my agent is currently sending around and have just started on my second.
Interview: July 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
The Original
Alana is a woman struggling to keep her relationship alive as her partner suffers from a debilitating illness. A new medical procedure offers the answer to their prayers, but not without forcing her to make one last sacrifice.
Length: 13:00
Director: Michelle Garza Cervera
Producer: Hiroyuki Ishiguro
Writer: Andrew X Fleming
About the writer, director and producer:
Mexican director and screenwriter. MICHELLE GARZA CERVERA graduated from the Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica in Mexico City and Goldsmiths University in London. Her short films have been selected in numerous international film festivals such as Fantastic Fest, Sitges Film Festival, Fantasia Festival, Havana Film Festival, Cinélatino Rencontres de Toulouse, Fantasporto, Fantaspoa, among others. Currently developing her first feature film titled Huesera in Mexico.
ANDREW X FLEMING is an Irish screenwriter currently living in London. He started screenwriting seven years ago after attending a film-making evening course in Amsterdam. He finished the MA Screenwriting at Goldsmiths University with honours. His first short film Stutter, a two-minute animation, has been shown at festivals across Europe and America. The Original, his first live-action production has been selected in international film festival such as Fantasporto, Fantasia, Morbido, within others. Currently writing several feature film scripts.
HIROYUKI ISHIGURO was born in Japan, in 1991. He graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University in 2014, (BA in International Business). He has worked for a Japanese Investment Bank for 2 years in Tokyo. Following his passion to produce film projects, he finished his postgraduate studies in Filmmaking (Producing) at Goldsmiths, University of London in 2018.
Key cast: Ariana Lebron, Rebecca Layoo, Ingrid Evans, Jay Robertson
Looking for: film festival directors, producers, buyers, distributors, journalists
Facebook: The Original
Hashtags used: #theoriginalshortfilm
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Goldsmiths University of London and Indiegogo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Fantasia Film Festival / Montreal - July 2018, Short to the point/ Bucharest -July 2018, Stormy Weather Horror Fest/ Online - August 2018 - August 2018, South Shorts, London - August 2018