Focus on AFI Conservatory - Born on the 5th of July
Ruby, who has lost her mother at birth, works as a rookie cop in LA. One night she pulls her gun to stop a robbery, only to find herself in the same situation, as when she was born. But now the roles are reversed, she has the power to make a decision that can save a life.
Interview with Writer/Director Daniel Carsenty
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you very much! I want to explore with this film the one moment in time, when you have the possibility to make a choice, that has the power to save a life.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is about a young police officer who has lost her mother at birth, when the family restaurant of her parents was robbed. One night she pulls her gun to stop a robbery, only to realize she has been in this very situation before, only now the roles are reversed and she has the power to make a right decision. I believe cinema has the power to change the world in a positive way.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I've worked many years as a TV journalist in the Middle East. I've experienced people killing each other over the smallest of differences. My films are about what connects us as human beings, about bridging the gaps that appear to be dividing us. I believe if we show more compassion towards our so-called 'other', there would be less pain and suffering in this world. My film is very much about listening to one’s heart in the right moment and not giving in to following one’s own darkest instincts, but to be a real human-being, no matter the circumstances.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script started out as a highly conceptualized interpretation of a real-life event. Through the process of writing and re-writing the script, it has become the emotional journey of young police officer, who is out for revenge, but learns to listen to heart instead of giving in to her trauma.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The most interesting feedback came from my directing mentor Mike Connors. He understands the story as a 'reversed super-hero' story. Instead of following the given path determined by her birth trauma, the main protagonist makes a very surprising decision. She ends not as a super-hero, but as a human-being.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has encouraged my search for humanity and compassion in my characters.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I believe my theme of discovering one's own humanity under the difficult circumstances should be shared with as many people as possible and I would be very happy if www.wearemovingstories.com would help me carry my story out into 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?
Sales Agents, Distributors and Film Festival Directors are very welcome to embrace our film and help us amplify our message. And journalists of course too, I believe the themes of our film are very close to the public discourse and deserve a broader audience.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
This film is about rethinking our relationship to violence. I would love to travel with this film to community screenings all over the country and encourage people to rethink the way interact with world.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Our relationship to violence. And the way we treat others, and want to be treated by others.
Would you like to add anything else?
I believe today it's easier to find ways to distinguish ourselves from others, and point out want divides and separates us, instead of understanding what we have in common with other people and what connects us.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
My new feature 'The Devil's Drivers', a documentary about human trafficking in the Middle east will have its festival premiere in the beginning of September and I am currently working on the TV drama series 'Treuhand' about a young West-German police officer who is transferred after the fall of the Berlin Wall to East-Germany. She finds herself investigating a case of child-traffic and forced prostitution.
Interview: July 2021
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
Born on the 5th of July
Length:
Writer
Daniel Carsenty and Katerina Frederickson
Daniel and Katerina met at the American Film Institute where they decided to join forces and write this short together.
Director
Daniel Carsenty
Daniel Carsenty's first film 'After Spring Comes Fall' won the award for Best Feature at the Szigmond Vilmos Festival in Sziget, Hungary. Originally from Berlin, he holds a directing fellowship at the American Film Institute in LA. His second feature 'The Devil's Drivers', a documentary about a human trafficker in the Middle-East, will celebrate its festival premiere in September.
Producer
Katerina Frederickson
Katerina Hoyo Frederickson is a Greek-American filmmaker who has written, directed, and produced the shorts 'This Man of Our Dreams' (2018), 'The Hearts of Geeks and Cougars' (2018), 'Terminal Submersion' (2017), 'A Stally Night' (2017).
Currently she holds a producing fellowship at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.
Key cast:
Eliza Gerontakis (lead), Frankie Halbiger, Nico Correa, Rita Khori, Peter Nikkos
Looking for:
sales agents, journalists, film festival directors, distributors, buyers
Social media
https://www.facebook.com/daniel.carsenty/
https://www.instagram.com/danielcarsenty/
Hashtags used:
#bornjuly5th
More info:
Made in association with:
AFI Conservatory