In the grip of a pandemic and her own unraveling mind, a mother descends into a nightmarish obsession with cleanliness as she becomes consumed by fears of the virus infiltrating her home. Her desperation to protect and keep her children safe begins to manifest in horrifying ways.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Kira Powell

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

In an industry where representation and diversity are crucial, it is essential to amplify the voices of Latina women both behind and in front of the camera. I wanted to make this film to shine a light on the complicated relationship between a mother and her children.

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

The mother/child relationship is a complex one that most of us can relate to. In Latino families in particular this relationship can be extremely close. This film explores this relationship to its extreme and examines how overprotectiveness can result in harm.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I chose to set this film against the backdrop of a pandemic because it is a time in our lives everyone can relate to. Although there was clearly a major threat during the pandemic, sometimes fear can cause people to behave irrationally and do crazy things. I've heard several stories of abuse and the harming of children in their own homes during the 2020 lockdown. Fear and love can be the ultimate destroyer.

The Good Mother - Mother after her breakdown

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

I started developing this story in my feature development class at the American Film Institute Conservatory. I decided to make a short film/proof of concept before filming the feature. In order to do that I had to re-write the script several times, which allowed me to access deep empathy for the protagonist and to make sure the story served her point of view. It was important to me to have the audience empathize with the mother character.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I received a lot of feedback during the development stages of the script, resulting in deepening my understanding of the protagonist and her relationship with her children. Because of the feedback and critique process, the outcome of the film has been well received with many relating to the story and its circumstances.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback allowed me to grow as a filmmaker.

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

I am looking to make this short film into a feature, so it is important for my film to receive visibility so that it gets in front of the right people.

Behind the scenes of The Good Mother - Cinematographer Shohta Fujii with Writer/ Director/Producer Kira Powell

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

I am looking for producers, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, and journalists to write reviews in order to help amplify my film's message.

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

I want to stir something in people and make them think about the relationships they have in their own lives.

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

Does overprotecting your children come from a place of love or does it come from a place of fear?

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

I am working on my thesis film, Best Eyes, at the American Film Institute Conservatory. Click here to learn more and to donate: www.afilmcalledbesteyes.com

Interview: November 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

The Good Mother

Length: 13:41

Director: Kira Powell

Producer: Kira Powell and Hector Martinez

Writer: Kira Powell

About the writer, director and producer:

KIRA POWELL is a director, writer and actor based in Los Angeles. She started her career as a SAG-AFTRA actor, appearing in national commercials, films and television. Kira's one-woman show, Caught in the Mix, which she wrote, directed and performed, garnered many awards and was selected to be a part of prestigious festivals including off-Broadway’s United Solo Fest. She has a B.A. in Mass Communication and is currently attending the American Film Institute for her MFA in Directing.

For the past eight years, HECTOR MARTINEZ has been working for a travel-based production company in Miami, Florida, where he created branded content for national and international companies such as Virgin Voyages, Carnival Corp., Tim Horton's, Disney, St. Jude Children's Hospital, among others. His short film Roam was featured in the South Florida PBS filmmaker series which resulted in a regional Emmy®️ nomination for Directing. He is currently pursuing an MFA in Producing at the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Key cast: Esperanza America (Daniela), Gustavo Ramirez (Ramien), Saul Nieto (Wilson), Ethan Estrada (Raul)

Looking for: film festival directors, producers, journalists, buyers, distributors

Facebook: Kira Powell

Instagram: @itskirapowell

Hashtags used: #thegoodmother #thegmother

Website: www.kirapowell.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self-Funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Screamfest Horror Film Festival/ TCL Chinese Theaters - October 13th