Fantasia Film Festival 2019 – Uplift
Eli makes an unusual ode to his departed child. Tinged with whimsy and black humor, Uplift is about how grief can be weird, poetic, and horrifying.
Interview with Directors Rebecca Kahn and Producer Ryan Moore
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
RK: The short answer is we are happiest when we’re creating.
RM: The long answer is we really wanted to tell a story that plays with dark themes juxtaposed with bright colors and tied together with absurdity. Depression is a sickness that hides in everything and isolates people. We wanted to show it under a different lens.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
RK: It’s ironic, bittersweet, and macabre. It isn’t for everyone, but it will definitely give you something to think about.
RM: The expected answer would be those with a sense of dark humour, but what we’d really like anyone who hasn’t understood or really experienced what depression looks or feels like.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
RK: The film explores how we distance ourselves from other people’s tragedies in everyday life, yet become fascinated by them from a distance.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
RK: Abhi (my co-director) and I wrote the script in about a day. It was probably the fastest pages we’ve written. The biggest evolution was the visual effects. We collaborated with really talented artists - Indrajeet Sisodiya and
Mohamad Kobeissy - who helped take us from a practical prop to giant CGI balloons. In the editing room, we also cut out a lot of dialogue. The visuals conveyed the emotion better than words could.
RM: The overall flow and ideas of the script hadn’t changed much, but when you get an actor into the role their personal perspective can have a profound impact. We were really fortunate to cast James Acton, he brought a sincerity to the role that was both comforting and sad.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
RK: At the premiere, we heard a lot of gasps and laughs in the audience. As a director, that’s what I love. Abhi and I agreed that we never want people to just sit there. Good or bad we want them to feel something.
RM: Overall positive. A lot have been impressed that we were able to make a believable character, that the entire film was surprising to the audience. The premiere was magical!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
RK: Yes! There has been a lot of surprising feedback. We’ve got everything from poetic to fucked up to hilarious. One person told Abhi that they nearly lost a child and completely understood what Eli’s character was going through. That last one was probably one of the most rewarding things to hear.
RM: I expected more controversial reactions but so far only a couple of people didn't fully understand the message of the film. I’m hoping that a wider audience will enjoy it and if there is any feedback, positive or negative, I’d love to hear it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
RK: We want people to watch it!
RM: Definitely to expand our audience to more people who LOVE film-like on We Are Moving Stories.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
RK: We’re looking for shorts distributors to grow our audience. We’re also looking for agents and producers for our first feature. We are actively looking for help with feature development and financing.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
RK: We'd love to start a dialogue with our audience.
RM: And to add, we aren’t afraid of controversy. Controversy tends to spark conversation and the idea behind this film is to do just that. We think it is absurd that there is still so much stigma surrounding topics like depression. People are afraid to address it, let alone solve it. Let’s change that!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
RK: What does grief look like? What does depression look like?
Would you like to add anything else?
RK: If you'd like to watch the online premiere of Uplift or just be friends, follow us on Instagram or Facebook @humanorfake and @bec_kahn. You'll hear about all our screenings and news there first!
RM: There is no shame in seeking assistance from a professional therapist or psychiatrist, they’re there to help. Depression can come in many forms and faces. Just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean they are not hurting.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
RK: We are in post for a short called Who Among Us! The story takes place on a game show where contestants have to figure out who among them is the android (@humanorfake). Abhi and I are also writing the feature, which explores the various characters lives after the show. It blurs the lines between science fiction and documentary in a really fascinating way.
RM: I have an additional 3 short films in Post Production. Follow me @realryanamoore for updates.
Interview: September 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
Uplift
Eli makes an unusual ode to his departed child. Tinged with whimsy and black humor, Uplift is about how grief can be weird, poetic, and horrifying.
Length: 11:00
Director: Abhishek Prasad, Rebecca Kahn
Producer: Ryan Moore, Adam Weitner
Writer: Abhishek Prasad, Rebecca Kahn
About the writer, director and producer:
ABHISHEK PRASAD is a Toronto based filmmaker and founder of an augmented reality startup. His storytelling is inspired by his background in science and genetics. Abhi received his MFA from NYU Tisch where his thesis film was nominated for multiple awards. His work has screened internationally and across Canada from the Fantasia International Film Festival to the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. Abhi was recently selected for the Reelworld Emerging 20 Program whose alumni includes Richie Metha (Delhi Crime).
REBECCA KAHN is a Puerto Rican-Jewish film director from Chicago. She holds her MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her first film, Chisel, premiered in competition at the Palm Springs International Shortfest and was shot inside metro Manila’s largest cemetery-slum. Her films have been awarded support from the Digital Orchard Emerging Cinematographers Fund, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, among others. Rebecca also directs commercials for international brands.
RYAN MOORE is a Toronto-Based filmmaker who loves thought-provoking stories in the realm of Science Fiction. Ryan has produced the bulk of Abhishek and Rebecca’s works and looks forward to making films with them into the future. He is also a mixed media Artist, integrating interactive art installations and conventional art. He is a graduate of Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts Program.
Key cast: James Acton (Eli), Soli Joy (Danielle), Freya Joy (Katie), Marc Gammal (Reporter), Lorne J. Fortune (Balloon Man), Susana Borosic (Mortuary Lady).
Looking for: film festival directors, producers, distributors, journalists
Facebook: Uplift
Instagram: @bec_kahn, @humanorfake
Website: www.puduproductions.com/film
Other: Vimeo
Made in association with: Pudu Productions and AstroLab Studios
Funders: Indiegogo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? In October it will be available on Vimeo for free!