Focus on SXSW - Homesick
"Homesick" is an absurdist thriller about an unhappy man who attends a retreat offering adults a second chance at a happy childhood.
Interview with Writer/Director Will Seefried
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This idea had been percolating for a long time. I knew I wanted to make a short film and this concept felt particularly ripe for the short format, which is a challenging one to crack! The decision to make this film also came at a time in the pandemic when a lot of conversations were centered around the question “when will life go back to how it was before?” This doomed desire to travel back in time and escape the traumas that have defined us (collectively and individually) felt prescient.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It will surprise you and make you feel things. That’s the hope, anyway!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Childhood is both personal and universal. We intentionally left the backstory of the protagonist cryptic to allow space for viewers to project their own experiences onto the journey he has in the film. We all were innocent once, and all must lose that innocence at some stage. That reality is universal, but how it happens is highly personal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The final film is quite close to what was on the page, but more essentialized. There were a couple of scenes that felt good on set but proved redundant in the edit. It’s always hard to let those things go because so much effort and care goes into every single scene, but ultimately we have to do what’s best for the story and leave the ego out of it.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It’s been so fun to see the range of reactions to the film. Some people find it really funny, others find deeply sad, and most find it bizarre. But across the board it seems people relate to the yearning for another shot at childhood.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I’m not so interested in making work that has a prescribed response/effect, so I really appreciate the range of experiences people have had watching the film. The hope is that audiences will have a strong point of view, even if its radically different than mine.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want to spend my life making movies and tv shows, so I am grateful for every opportunity to share my work. Profiles like these can serve as a smoke signal for future collaborators and audiences who have a compatible sensibility. If people respond to what they see here, they can stay up-to-date on future screenings and other work on my company’s Instagram @wolflightfilms and my personal page @willseefried.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
The trajectory for content like this is so nonlinear. Festivals are the focus right now. Reviews and profiles like this really help, too. The hope is to eventually expand this into a feature film with producers and financiers who respond to this story and offbeat aesthetic.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
There are countless short films out there, and so many are excellent. The hope is that this film will make enough of an impression to rise above the noise. Any impact feels like a win. Indifference would be the worst case scenario.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it ever too late to have a happy childhood?
Interview: March 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
Homesick
Length:
15:47
Writer/Director
Will Seefried is a filmmaker & writer with an MFA from NYU/Tisch. His film "Homesick" premiered at SXSW 2022. He is currently developing his first feature film, "Lilies Not For Me", which is an Academy Nicholl semifinalist.
Producer
Hannes Otto is a producer and actor. His work has screened at SXSW, Berlinale, Outfest, SeriesFest, and Toronto Inside Out. Juilliard, MFA.
Key cast:
Hiram Delgado, Leslie Fray, Motell Gyn Foster, Tom Nelis
Looking for:
distributors, journalists, film festival directors, buyers, producers, sales agents
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/willseefried/
Hashtags used:
#Homesick #HomesickFilm #Wolflight #WolflightFilms
More info:
www.wolflightfilms.com