My Over There
Starring Emmy Winner and Tony Nominated actress Penny Fuller, this short film is about Lenore McDowell, a veteran of WWI. She is being interviewed about her experiences during the war as an Army Nurse. Lenore reveals a dramatic and deeply personal part of her life during her time “over there” that she has never shared before.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Bob Celli and Laura Delano
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
BOB: Like most during the pandemic, we found ourselves cleaning out drawers and closets. The idea for My Over There came from a transcript Laura and I found while cleaning out a photo cabinet. The transcript was from an interview between Jonathan Delano, Laura’s cousin, and Edna Draper Delano, Laura’s grandmother. The interview revealed the source of Edna’s desire to become a nurse, what it was like going to nursing school, and subsequently her enlistment in WWI as an Army Nurse.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
LAURA: This film is an intimate portrayal of one woman’s experience in France during WWI as an Army Nurse. It offers a unique perspective on an often-documented subject. As one of my acting teachers said: “ If it ain’t personal, it ain’t no good” - Fred Karamen
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
BOB: It is an intimate love story that plays out on the larger canvas of a world at war. It also delves into the inequities of race relations of the time, which unfortunately continue to this day.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
BOB: The jumping-off point in telling this story, was the transcript. Like many of her generation or anyone who has been to and seen war up close, she avoided too many details or did not speak of them at all. She was stationed in France and moved to the front lines. The sights she witnessed must have been horrific. As witnessed in the current film All Quiet on the Western Front. We took creative license, using archival photographs and film footage to expand her story and fill in the details of what she might have experienced.
LAURA: The question my family and friends have bandied about for years was, did she have a romantic involvement during her time overseas? We decided “Yes”. We created a first-person visual narrative through her eyes, using drawings.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
LAURA: Beaufort International Film Festival will the films premiere, so we are looking forward to hearing the response.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
BOB: Individuals we have privately screened the film for have been quite moved and affected by the story and the performance of our actress, Penny Fuller. So, we are excited to hear what response the film will generate in a wider audience.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
LAURA: We made this film to honor my Grandmother and her service, as well bringing attention to the brutality of war and the human toll it takes.
BOB: I feel it is important that we as artists continue to make films that dig into the issues many would like to ignore. I feel it is imperative to relate the histories, stories, and legacies that continue to influence current events in order to change things for the better. Often a film, a painting, a piece of music, or a play can open people’s minds in a way a debate or news clips cannot.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
BOB: Film festivals are an incredible vehicle for indie film. As with all independent projects, we are looking for the greatest exposure possible for the film. Would we love to do a full-length feature of this story? Yes. Connecting with people from the above list with whom the film resonates would be the goal, to potentially reach as many viewers - and decision makers - as possible.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
LAURA: I want the film to stay with people after they leave the theater. My litmus test has always been "does the story stay with me?", "do I keep thinking about the characters?" and "what happens next?"
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
BOB: How do we better resolve conflict on a global level, as well as on a personal one, without going to war with other counties, groups, or individuals?
Would you like to add anything else?
BOB: I think we have covered it! We would like to thank you Dr Baranowka and We Are Moving Stories for having us in the lineup. Also thank you for all you do to keep us informed about the arts. Thus, keeping the arts alive and thriving.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
BOB: We are currently in pre-production for Because I Love, a Shakespearean-type tale with a Hitchcock twist. The film takes a hard look at jealousy and how it can propel humans to act in ways that can change lives forever. Many of us have been bitten by the “Green Monster” at one point or another, but we all have a choice whether or not we act on our base instincts. The action you take defines you. Because I Love You is a short, sexy, slow-burn suspense film that begins filming in late March.
Interview: February 2023
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
My Over There
Starring Emmy Winner and Tony Nominated actress Penny Fuller, this short film is about Lenore McDowell, a veteran of WWI. She is being interviewed about her experiences during the war as an Army Nurse. Lenore reveals a dramatic and deeply personal part of her life during her time “over there” that she has never shared before.
Length: 13:24
Director: Bob Celli
Producer: DelanoCelli Production
Writer: Bob Celli and Laura Delano
About the writer, director and producer:
BOB CELLI is an award-winning actor/writer/director and a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Directing credits include Going Home, Figs For Italo, Brooklyn In July, The Keeper, and My Over There.
As well as being producers, Bob and Laura, have collaborated on and edited many scripts, but My Over There is Laura's first co-writing credit.
DelanoCelli Productions has produced five short films, Going Home, Figs for Italo, Brooklyn in July, The Keeper, and now My Over There. We are currently in pre-production on our next short, Because I Love You.
Key cast: Penny Fuller (Lenore McDowell), Nicole Roberts (Laura/Narrator)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists and producers
Facebook: Bob Celli
Twitter: @cellib4
Instagram: @delanocelli
Hashtags used: #delanocelliproductions #myoverthere #pennyfuller #armynurse #armynursecorp #shortfilm #indiefilm #indiefilmmaker
Website: delanocelli.com/my-over-there
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: DelanoCelli Productions
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
World Premiere - Beaufort International Film Festival - Friday, February 24th - Block 3 @ 1:20pm
Colorado Premiere - Durango Independent Film Festival - Friday, March 3nd @ 5:00pm and Saturday, March 4th @ 2:00pm