Milk
When she sees an old man unable to pay for his milk, a young girl has a change of heart.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Celia Jaspers
Watch Milk here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I've been a director my whole working life, but haven't done a lot of self made projects. And during lockdown I entered the 48 hours Film Festival here in New Zealand, just with my family and shot and edited at home and I was astonished to be in the final and then go on to win Best Family Film. From there I was invigorated to make another one and the idea of Milk came to me as I was driving back from the shops one day straight after lockdown.
My then 8 year old daughter who starred in the first film, was the inspiration and I felt a strong sense of compassion and looking after those in your community after our countries lockdown, and when this idea came me, I raced home before I forgot it and wrote it out in one shot. It had a few edits of course, but it wasn't until Co Producer Auriga encouraged me to actually make the film, did things really start moving. I wanted to make a simple, yet well told film, but also it was self funded and needed to be within the scope of whats possible with no budget!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Milk isn't like most short films, its ultimately a happy tale, but you may cry! In just 5 short minutes, you are transported to a simpler time in rural New Zealand and you will feel the essence of this town and the people within it. It hits you in the heart and everyone relates to either the act of giving, or receiving, or just sacrifice or compassion, it affects everyone differently. But I've even shown it large school groups and theres nothing quite like 200 kids all quietly sobbing and wiping their eyes after watching your film!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes of compassion and kindness are very prevalent in this short tale. And you can watch it in another language and still understand the transaction. There's just a very powerful moment of sacrifice that seems to affect so many people. I knew it was powerful when I wrote it, but was unsure if it would translate on screen, but I'm constantly amazed and humbled at the impact it has on people.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was written rather quickly, but did have another couple of drafts to fine tune. Co-Producer Juanita is a seasoned scriptwriter and she provided some valuable notes as well as my subsequent passes. But it all came together in 2 or so months from inception to filming. I shot what was written, but it was really the editing that the film came to life and the moments were discovered. And then releasing it to festivals and all the interviews and speaking about it has also clarified what the film is to me personally! It's taken on a life of its own that's for sure.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It's been so amazing to hear how the story has travelled, and how universal, strong language/culture it is. Lots of feedback from festival directors and programmers that love the production quality and messaging, as well as overall product. Its done surprisingly well in children's festivals, which I didn't plan for at all, I didn't' even realize it was a kids film!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's been very humbling and I'm so pleased for the cast and crew who all gave their time freely and to hear how well its received has been wonderful for us all. We haven't gotten in to some more prestigious or grown up festivals, but I don't take that personally, its just a style and taste and I know this film won't fit in to every schedule.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Milk is ready to be available to the world. I would love the film to be seen and shared by as many people as possible, and if the message makes someone change their point of view, or perhaps decide to show some compassion to someone in their community, I'd be thrilled.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'd be happy to chat to sales agents, but I also want this film to be freely available, so whilst its the kind of content that would share well and be suitable for public sharing, if we can get it on more platforms and streamers, Im very open to that also. The more press we can generate around the unique circumstances of its production, 50% women crew and 100% above the line women, and perhaps a mother/daugther production, and it was all done for zero budget. The film was literally made with so much kindness and compassion from the entire village where we shot, to all the camera suppliers, lighting gear and colourist, mastering and sound mix.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd love Milk to make people think, or just pause for a moment and remember what it's like to receive compassion from others, and if they can perhaps find a way to help someone in their lives.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
It brings up interesting themes depending who you talk too. One programmer commented how great it was to shine a light on the idea of food shortage and elderly living on the bread line, whilst others noticed that a child wouldn't be walking around town by themselves, whereas in NZ and in this village, you actually would. So where we are is literally a slice of a simpler time and perhaps one that many fondly remember, but aren't living in to.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
My Dp Jono Drew is doing amazing projects with his Gimbal and Stabilize gear on big projects in Auckland, whilst I'm in prep about to shoot another short film, The Polycees in Wellington. Still in the children's / family genre, but with a more comedy, fantasy theme this time. And I've written a family feature film that I'm keen to shop around and find a production company/Producer for. I'm still working full time in the industry moving between from freelance jobs in film and tv.
Interview: August 2022
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
Milk
Length:
5:00
Writer/Director
Writer, Director, CELIA JASPERS, has a long career in factual and documentary making and is now embarking on her narrative story telling journey. Working in the industry since 15 years old, she's worked on many different formats, genres, films, tvcs, sports, documentaries and primetime tv. MILK is a self funded passion project born out of the pandemic lockdown in New Zealand, where Celia noticed real compassion and a strong feeling of community in the small rural town where she lives with her family.
Producer
Celia Jaspers, Auriga Martin, Juanita Deely
The three women producers formed Triquestra Films in order to create films. They came on board in association with Celia's production company Scorpio Productions to assist with MILK. Auriga is a creative and finance technology CEO, heralding from California, but now lives in NZ, and Juanita is a prolific writer and former ad agency executive.
Key cast:
Charlotte Jaspers (Girl), Frank Edwards (Old Man, Christy-Anne Sullivan (Shopkeeper)
Looking for:
journalists
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/celiajaspers
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/celiajaspers
Hashtags used:
#milkfilmnz
More info:
Irish Film Institute, Dublin - 28 August;
My Hero Film Festival, online - 19 November
(with a handful of other submissions still possible for selection between now and December)
Its had 90+ selections and 35+ awards over the past year of touring festivals, including 5 Academy accredited festivals, Show Me Shorts, LA Shorts, Tirana, Chicago Children's & HIFF.