In Death Valley’s ghost town, a dancer brings her gilded dream to life.

Interview with Director/Producer Poppy Walker

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was enchanted and haunted by my first visit to Marta’s opera house in the middle of Death Valley, and really wanted to explore her relationship with creativity in the face of death.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It will transport you to an unusual and beguiling world created by an extraordinary American artist.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

My film explores one woman’s journey to let go of her worldly experience in the face of death. It’s a film about the complexities of ageing, loss and creativity.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The biggest evolution in the film’s development was focusing less on Marta’s backstory and childhood, and placing the film entirely in the world of Death Valley.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far it seems that people feel what I hoped they would feel – that it’s both enchanting and haunting, and captures a moment of acceptance between life and death. One of my dear filmmaker friends felt she was an unsympathetic character because of the gravitas of her voice and storytelling, which I understood, and it helped me pare back some of the more dramatic moments.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes – the comment above was surprising, but it was so helpful in paring back the drama and making the story less sentimental.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

For people to feel intrigued by Marta’s story, and to want to see the film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Buyers, film festival directors and distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope it touches people in some way, whether to contemplate ageing and death, or the wonder of artistic vision.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How do you think you will feel when you know you’re close to death?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m working on a narrative short titled ‘rapture’ which explores similar themes relating to ageing, loss and death.

Interview: January 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

Dust Devil

In Death Valley’s ghost town, a dancer brings her gilded dream to life.

Length: 9 min

Director: Poppy Walker

Producer: Poppy Walker

About the writer, director and producer:

POPPY WALKER is a director and producer whose films have screened at festivals including: Flickerfest, Oberhausen Aesthetica and Santa Barbara.

Key cast: Marta Becket

Funders: Self!

Made in association with: Screenworks Australia, Elements Post Production

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickerfest, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (US) and Santa Barbara Film Festival (US)