Us, Forever Ago
A documentary/narrative hybrid about a woman recalling in the near future the doubts she faced between 2015 and 2017 while writing, directing, producing, and starring in her first feature film, an investigatory patchwork weaving together conversations with female artists and intimate scenes from her own personal life.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Irina Varina
Watch Us, Forever Ago on Prime Video and Projektor
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
For many reasons: to document the women I cared about, to capture a moment in time I was a part of, to understand how to live, to understand about being an artist, to reflect on my relationships, to face my fears, to be occupied, to direct a full length film, to make a film about searching for validation, to feel connected, to get answers, to ask better questions.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I don't think anybody should watch anything. I think you might like it if you enjoy films that are more about feeling than narrative, that is non-linear and self-reflective. Also, if you are interested in a conversation about being an artist and a woman or curious about parts of the artistic process that are full of doubt, shame and insecurities.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film is a documentary/narrative hybrid. In the documentary bits, my character gets to dive into discussing the artistic process with four women artists – Andrea Clinton, a performance artist, Emily McLoughlin, a dancer, Chana Porter, a writer, and Katie Frank, a visual artist. One of the questions I ask them is from the book: Making Your Life as an Artist, by Andrew Simonet that goes like this: “If the whole world saw your work, if it was everywhere and kids studied it in school and towns brought it to the village green, how would the world be different?” In the narrative part (very loose narrative at that), we get to follow an actor/aspiring documentary filmmaker, played by me, who is also searching for her place in the world.
In the last interview, Katie Frank says: “I feel like drawing, for example, it almost feels like a microcosmic representation of living. It starts off very primitive and actually, looks very primitive and then there's usually a long period of uncertainty and doubt and it's sort of like, well I have to keep going … And there are times it just works out. For some reason.”
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It evolved drastically. The film's structure itself is a reflection of my process of working on it. It started off with three ideas – to document the changing time I thought I was in, to interview women artists in my artistic community, and to write a script about a woman searching for validation through love, work, looks. And a plan on how to unite them all in one film. I ended up editing the resulted footage for about two years on and off, merging different parts, and letting them be affected by world events and my idiosyncrasies. The film emerged as its own thing, partially reflecting my initial thoughts, partially rejecting them. That time included showing the first versions of the film to the people I knew and making their feedback part of the world of my character in the film. And taking advice from a friend to include in some form my doubts and reflections on the process of making the film (it manifested itself in a voiceover by my character in the near future).
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Really touching and unexpected. Many audience members would share their own insecurities and doubts about parts of their lives in post-screening discussions. With a kind of relief and joy of not being alone and feeling seen. Also, some would say to us after screenings: “I really want to go work on my art now” or “I realized that I'm also a part of a community of artists.”
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I didn't expect many people to connect with the film so deeply. Probably due to my own insecurities haha or simply because of natural fears that would arise with putting something quite personal and somewhat experimental out there and asking people to watch it for 70 minutes.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We want to reach more people who are interested in the themes of the film and in the kind of film Us, Forever Ago is. We want to find you, wherever you are and share it with you! And hey, our VOD release is coming soon so you'll be able to watch the film from all over the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this point, journalists! We'd love more interviews and reviews. We're a small production and press coverage helps us find our audience, who wouldn't get a chance to hear about the film otherwise. Thank you for being a part of this, We Are Moving Stories..
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope the film would give more people permission to feel what they are feeling, even if it's fear or shame; a good laugh at some moments; and a chance to reflect on what they value in their lives and how they make sense of their failures and longings.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When was the last time you were caught in doubt about doing something and why?
Would you like to add anything else?
I want to thank everyone who came to see the film so far. Talking to you after screenings added a layer to my experience with this film I didn't anticipate to have. Also, it just feels so fulfilling to share the work I care about with others. Thank you for that.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am beginning to work on a web-series, and continuing to develop a solo project currently called Russian-American Divinations. I am also an actor and exciting things are coming up on that front. I will post updates on my website so stay in touch.
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
Us, Forever Ago
A documentary/narrative hybrid about a woman recalling in the near future the doubts she faced between 2015 and 2017 while writing, directing, producing, and starring in her first feature film, an investigatory patchwork weaving together conversations with female artists and intimate scenes from her own personal life.
Length: 1:10:00
Director: Irina Varina
Producer: Irina Varina
Writer: Irina Varina
About the writer, director and producer:
IRINA VARINA works as an actor and filmmaker in New York and Philadelphia. Most of her projects start out as explorations of life experiences that are hard to put into words or seem too shameful. Her work tends to revolve around women, personal history and the desire to connect and find a place in the world. Her films have been screened at The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, Queens World Film Festival, NewFilmmakers New York, Tiny Film Festival (grand prize winner for a short “A Memory”), PBS channel (winner of the weekly Reel 13 contest for “A Memory”) and others. She is a recipient of 2017's Small But Mighty Arts grant. Her first feature film "Us, Forever Ago" premiered at The 2018 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival. http://www.irinavarina.com/
Key cast: Andrea Clinton, Chana Porter, Emily McLoughlin, Katie Frank, Irina Varina, Peter Jensen, Carol Reynolds, Jon Froehlich, Frank Vignola, Angelica Neri.
Looking for: journalists
Facebook: Us, Forever Ago
Instagram: @irvarina
Hashtags used: #usforeverago
Website: usforeverago.com, irinavarina.com
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? We have two more screenings in the spring of 2019, one at an art school in Philadelphia, another - community center in New York, with dates and details TBA on https://www.facebook.com/usforeverago/. And VOD in May 2019.