Helechos
Ana's desire to turn her home into an uncanny forest will be threatened when the plants are declared carriers of a lethal virus.
Interview with Writer/Director Paz Ramirez
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
When I first read Helechos's short story by Catalina Infante during the early days of the pandemic, it immediately transported me into a vivid and tangible visual world. The power of the storytelling and imagery struck me, and I knew right away that it had the potential to become an extraordinary short film. I felt deeply connected to the story's main character and her relationship with plants.
Living in Santiago during a year of strict confinement rules, I also develop a very instant bond with my plants and a way to connect with the wilderness, searching for untamed and unpredictable aspects of life. Helechos's narrative became a strong catalyst for me during a time when creativity became a lifeline.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because it opens a conversation about our intense collective experience during the pandemic and its impact on our mental well-being and relationships. Set in a dystopian future, Helechos offers a unique perspective and prompts us to reflect on how we lived through this period and how others experienced it differently. It dives deep into our inner conversations and invites us to gain insight and understanding.
Beyond its narrative content, Helechos presents an audio-visually compelling experience. It could be a little bit of settling at some point but that was a feeling I wanted to recreate from isolation times. From its cinematography to its production design, the film aims to immerse you in its familiar but strange world, creating a cinematic captivating journey. Through this short film, we can connect, heal, and grow as we navigate the complexities of our post-pandemic world.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In Helechos, personal and universal themes intertwine to create a thought-provoking narrative. As previously mentioned, the universal themes connected to the pandemic, such as isolation, the redefinition of intimacy, and the impact on mental health. These themes reflect on the resilience of humanity and our perpetual need to adapt to a world that continually presents new challenges.
The personal themes I wanted to explore were family dynamics which are heightened within the context of confinement. The film poses questions about how we navigate our closest connections when faced with the merging of identities and the pursuit of individuality. It offers an exploration of the complexities and nuances of familial bonds, elevating the emotional depth of the story.
One intriguing aspect of the film is Ana's relationship with plants, which serves as a form of escapism. This theme adds a layer of tension and conflict, as the allure of plants begins to jeopardize Ana's bond with her partner. Overall, Helechos weaves a tapestry of personal and universal themes. It invites audiences to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit and our ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It was pretty forward because it is based on a short story, and after reading it, I was immediately inspired to dive into drafting an outline and it worked! That first draft evolved into the script that I worked on for around 6 months and revised with some friends and colleagues. Something interesting about the process was that rather than following a traditional script workshop, I chose to work it in a playwrighting workshop, which gave me a liberating approach to developing the characters and their dialogue. This tangential and free-spirited exploration allowed me to generate a lot of extra material that was very helpful at the time of working with the actors.
Once the short film was shot, there was a significant amount of script writing that took place in the editing room. Having been immersed in the world of the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years, certain aspects of the story didn't require explicit explanation. In a creative move, the editor and I decided to trim dialogue and scenes, allowing atmospheric and poetic moments to take center stage.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have only received feedback from people who were involved in the creative process in some way, so I'm very excited about Tribeca's premiere so I can hear outside perspectives.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not yet! but looking forward!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Short film distribution can be challenging since there aren't as many opportunities outside of film festivals to screen them. Therefore, I'm delighted to be a part of this platform as an alternative way to showcase and discuss my work. Additionally, I'm eager to connect with filmmakers from all over the world within this diverse and inclusive community.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We're looking to connect with festival directors and programs to get our short film out there and reach a wider, diverse audience. Beyond our premiere at Tribeca, we want to hit up multiple festivals and get Helechos in front of different crowds who dig unique and thought-provoking stories.
We also know that working with sales agents, buyers, and distributors is key to securing distribution deals and making our film widely available. We believe that the universal themes and emotional resonance of our short film can captivate audiences worldwide and we're proud of the work we've put into it. Our mission is to share Helechos with as many people as possible, so we're looking to collaborate with industry experts who can help us spread our film's message far and wide
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want to make films that raise questions and navigate in the grey zone. I hope after watching Helechos rather than presenting a simplistic view of good versus bad or relying on a traditional protagonist/antagonist dynamic, I aim for the film to navigate the in-between area, blurring the lines between right and wrong. By exploring themes of freedom and the boundaries that define it, I hope the film makes viewers reflect on their own understanding of personal agency and the choices they make.
I want the audience to engage with the characters and their coping mechanisms, drawing parallels to their own experiences and sparking introspection about the ways in which they navigate challenges and seek personal liberation.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently working on the script for my first feature film titled Puzzle. Set in the 90s, it tells the story of a family navigating a transition to democracy while undergoing profound changes. In Chile, at the end of the Pinochet dictatorship, I follow Elvira (32) as she uncovers her husband Alejandro's (35) true intentions when he leaves for New York. Determined to protect our son, Samuel, I fight to keep our family together. Years later, Alejandro returns as a political activist, dedicating himself to the fight for people with HIV. The truth emerges, bringing us all closer and allowing us to find peace in our shared journey. Puzzle explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the transformative power of truth in the face of adversity.
Additionally, I am in the early stages of developing a project centered around Lola Hoffman, an exceptional woman, psychiatrist, and spiritual leader who had a profound impact on a significant generation of thinkers in Chile during the 60s - 80s.
Interview: June 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
Helechos
Ana's desire to turn her home into an uncanny forest will be threatened when the plants are declared carriers of a lethal virus.
Length: 16:55
Director: Paz Ramirez
Producer: Oro Films
Writer: Paz Ramirez
About the writer, director and producer:
PAZ RAMIREZ, a native of Santiago de Chile, pursued her studies in Valparaíso and Buenos Aires. Since 2010, she has thrived as an Assistant Director, contributing to various movies, TV series, and advertising projects. In 2013, Paz migrated to Canada, where she obtained permanent residency. In 2016, she established Porch, a production company based in Toronto, where she directs and produces video clips and digital content. Her short film Helechos is set to premiere at Tribeca Film in 2023. Currently residing in Chile, Paz directs advertising projects while working on her debut feature film as a writer.
ORO FILMS is a young and pocket-sized film production company from Chile. Its main focus is to develop director-driven feature films and documentaries, promoting contemporary and original visual languages as well as independent filmmaking. Our projects have been selected in a wide range of film labs and markets worldwide, such as Berlinale Talents Project Market, Torino Film Lab, San Sebastián Coproduction Forum, among others. Our films have been selected in festivals such as Toronto International Film Festival, Mar del Plata Film Festival, and Guadalajara Film Festival. We make films that deserve a place on Earth.
Key cast: Mercedes Mujica (Ana), Juan Pablo Larenas (Miguel), Nicanor Morales (Simón)
Looking for: film festival directors, sales agents, buyers, distributors
Facebook: Paz Ramirez Larrain
Instagram: @pazramirezl
Hashtags used: #Helechos #orofilms #pandemic #ferns #wild #isolation #intimacy
Website: www.oro-films.com
Made in association with: Triciclo films
Funders: Chilean National Audiovisual Fund and Self funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Tribeca Film Festival/ NYC
06/08/2023, 5:15 PM at AMC-01 - 1st Screening
06/09/2023, 11:45 AM at AMC-03 - Press/Industry Screening 1
06/10/2023, 1:00 PM at AMC-04 - 2nd Screening
06/17/2023, 3:00 PM at AMC-04 - 3rd Screening