Cinequest 2019 – White Guys Solve Sexism
Because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal two men realize that all of their favorite movies are now sexist, leading them down a dark path of discovery.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Christopher Guerrero
Watch White Guys Solve Sexism here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
For the past few years I have been very interested in masculinity and hyper-masculinity and how abusive masculine behavior has caused damage to our society. By exploiting the fragility of masculinity I have found an untapped comedic playground. This short an exploration of that.
The idea for “White Guys Solve Sexism” originated after a conversation with a close friend. They told me about a number of male filmmakers from a famous University coming together to mourn the ‘loss of filmmaking’ in a post-Weinstein world. These men were so blindsided and shocked that women could be treated so terribly for so long… and they didn’t even know. While Weinstein’s abuse is both shocking and horrifying, it is far from the first sign of sexism in the film industry.
White Guys Solve Sexism is an expression of the absurdity of men freaking out about something incredibly obvious to everyone else in the room. It is my hope that viewers can identify the absurdity not unlike the characters in the short.
I also wanted to make a short about self-congratulatory elements of filmmaking. If this were ever to win an academy award, I would have to look out upon a sea of white men, hoisting a trophy, saying ‘We did it!’. Even recognizing that this film is good is a sort of congratulating itself. Give yourself a pat on the back, white guys. Ya did it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Well, first I think because it's funny. Also because it's really funny to watch guys have nervous breakdowns for no reason. Also because I think it sheds a lot of light on how insane it is that a man like Harvey Weinstein was able to get away with it for so long.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It didn't change drastically, but many many other female filmmakers gave great notes.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
All has been every positive, everyone has been so surprised and it's never what is expected.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think it's strengthened my point of view, how needed this sort of film making is right now. We need more people poking holes in the accepted narrative of the patriarchy.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Hopefully get people excited about the work that I'm doing, so I can continue to make more heartfelt and progressive films.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think really all of it, producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Well, I hope a positive one. To make people think, and to really see the absurdity and arrogance in white male culture thinking they can fix the problem that they created.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can white men solve sexism? Do white male voices matter in that debate? Can films actually change peoples minds, and is media a force for good?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We have a few projects in developments. A female POC driven pilot called "Car Stealers", just finshed you can find the trailer here: http://www.carstealers.com.
About to be filmed a short taking place in my home town of Selma, CA loosing based on my own latinx upbringing, exploring the life of a young latinx after she gets fired from her job and she attempts to get medical care for her and her young son.
Interview: February 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
White Guys Solve Sexism
Because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal two men realize that all of their favorite movies are now sexist, leading them down a dark path of discovery.
Length: 6:26
Director: Christopher Guerrero
Producer: Christopher Guerrero
Writer: Christopher Guerrero
About the writer, director and producer:
CHRISTOPHER GUERRERO's work at BuzzFeed, Super Deluxe, Studio 71 and with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has garnered billions of views all across the Internet. A creative mind involved in some of BuzzFeed’s biggest properties, Chris explores story-telling at a breakneck speed in the dynamic world of 21st Century filmmaking. A Latino from the central valley of California, Chris loves making bizarre comedy with a socially-conscious edge.
Key cast: Leah Lamarr (Nancy), Max Baumgarten (Mike), Kyle Helf (Clark)
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, producers, buyers
Facebook: Christopher Guerrero
Twitter: @mindshawk
Instagram: @mindshawk
Website: http://www.christopherguerrero.com
Other: IMDB
Funders: Self Funded
Where can I watch it next? Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2019 - Feb 7th 2019 1pm - Metropolitan Theatres · Santa Barbara, California; Feb 8th 2019 7pm - Metropolitan Theatres · Santa Barbara, California; Cinequest 2019 - Fri, Mar 8 9:15 PM - Century 20 Redwood City - Screen 2, Sun, Mar 10 9:00 PM - Century 20 Redwood City - Screen 2, Tue, Mar 12 9:35 PM - Hammer Theatre SJ, Sun, Mar 17 8:00 PM - Hammer Theatre SJ