Focus on AFI Conservatory - You'll Only Have Each Other

After the death of her mother, a disconnected daughter must face the strange and horrible manifestations of her guilt.

Interview with Writer/Director Alison-Eve Hammersley

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

When I was in my second year at AFI, my mother (who lives on the east coast) was diagnosed with cancer. She, thankfully, survived and is now in remission, but the struggle to go home during that time had always weighed on me. Making this film was simultaneously an apology to her and also a way to exorcise myself of that guilt I'd been carrying.

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

This film is an atmospheric and horrific marriage between beauty and genre filmmaking. It explores character in a way that indie portrait pieces do, while still staying true to the promise of a good scare now and then.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film's themes are obviously very personal to me -- the guilt of not being there for a loved one in their time of need. But more than that, this film is about learning to face and except our shames, whatever they may be, in order to relinquish ourselves from being tormented by them... and I think that's something we can all relate to.

You'll Only Have Each Other

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

The original script was about a young woman who discovered that she was actually a human/alien hybrid... so let's just say it's changed a lot.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Positive! The most meaningful feedback we've gotten is from the few people that come up to us after screenings in festivals and tell us that they went through something similar with their own family member, and that it was cathartic for them to see something like that on screen. That always really touches me.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I'm always surprised by how many people the themes resonate with -- you always think your own guilt is so intrinsically singular and isolating, but I've learned that we all have our ghosts and we're stronger at fighting them together.

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

I'd love for the film to reach a wider audience -- spread that message of connection in our shame.

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

Distributors are always welcome

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

We'd like to establish even more that horror is a place for emotional story-telling, and that you can have character first while still maintaining authenticity to the genre.

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

Do you believe facing your guilt will free you from it?

Would you like to add anything else?

I just hope that the film touches people and continues to make those of us struggling with shame, whatever it is, feel a little less alone.

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

ALISON-EVE HAMMERSLEY has two horror features set to shoot within the next year, and is currently developing a horror/sci-fi series with Amazon Japan.

SAMANTHA SILVAY was chosen to be a part of this year's CannesFilm Writer's Residency program with her pilot script, The Great Bridge, which is continuing to find great success.

Interview: July 2021

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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

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You'll Only Have Each Other

Length:

17:11

Writer

Alison-Eve Hammersley & Samantha Silvay

ALISON-EVE and SAMANTHA met at AFI and shared a love of expressing character through genre. When the opportunity to work together on this film presented, they jumped at the chance.

Director

Alison-Eve Hammersley

ALISON-EVE was one of five directors chosen by Lena Waithe for AT&T's 2019 Hello Lab Mentorship Program. There she directed her short film, FRAGILE.COM, which premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in 2020 and has subsequently been released on Gunpowder & Sky's horror arm, Alter, where it’s garnered over 1M views between platforms. She is currently developing a horror / sci-fi series with Amazon Japan.

Producer

Maud Bellaiche & Arthur Cohen

Key cast:

Amelia Rose Blaire (Maggie), Bryan Dechart (Gabe), Julia Aks (The Shape)

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/alisonevehammersleyfilms/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alison_hammersley/

Hashtags used:

#youllonlyhaveeachother #youllonlyhaveeachotherfilm

More info:

https://www.alisonevehammersley.com/

Made in association with:

AFI Conservatory