Kids Don't Die
A striking short story about a mother in absolute despair who tried to kill herself and her children twice in one day.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Pedro Patricio
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wrote Kids Don’t Die because I wanted to talk about our current volatile times, urban poverty, social desolation, family separation, suicide and the unexpected turns of destiny. Inspired by true events, I change and add a few twists to the main dramatic incident, creating an original fictional narrative short story, about a mother in absolute despair, who has lost custody of her children and is about to mentally/physically implode. That day, when she’s suddenly confronted by a shocking accident, it pushes her overboard, and she totally looses control of herself and tries to commit the most horrible crime, by trying to kill herself and her children twice in one day.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you're a fan of short films with social themes behind them. If you're fan of drama, crime fiction, horror/thriller films, this film definitely has some of those elements. This film has a difficult subject matter, and my intention as an artist was to show this tragic story in a neutral way, not portraying the lead character as a drug addict, an alcoholic or mentally ill, easy, usual stereotypes that these type of characters and worlds get attached, associated to. We stayed away from that, and tried to portray that a normal, goodhearted human being, can be exposed to levels of social desolation, system failures, that can trigger these irrational actions. Nobody willingly wants to end up experiencing these tragic moments.
Through this short film and its ending, I wanted to leave a feeling of hope in the audience, I wanted the survival miracle to become a magical moment. To show the possibility of another route. That the unexpected turns of destiny sometimes gives you another chance. A powerful message helping parents in despair, feeling desolate, showing them that another route is always possible.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Genres: Drama. Psychological thriller. A crime fiction tale bordering horror.
Themes: Urban Poverty, Social Desolation, Family separation, Suicide, Infanticide, Befallment.
I would say most of the themes present in this film have a universal resonance. Urban poverty carries and arises the same difficulties and tragic stories like the one this film tries to expose anywhere in the world. Kids Don't Die was inspired by a true story from a Russian woman that went through this ordeal.
Her personal story inspired me to write this initial short film, it blew my mind away when I heard all the struggle she had been exposed to, and how she ended up taking these irrational actions and loosing control of her life, her family.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
They film premiered in NY right before the pandemic hit, we were lucky to have one live theater premiere and then it all went to the new wave of online streaming film festivals, a new venture for everyone involved, with a definite strange distant feeling, as the unique experience of the live audience disappeared. We won two awards and showcased in multiple cities/countries: from NY to Germany, to Malta, to Thailand, it was quite a fascinating run. We've recently been invited to the Hola Mexico Film Festival in LA, and the film will have it's closing chapter with a live audience. So I would say the film survived, just like the kids, ending our festival run with a live audience is another miracle.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Here's a note from an audience member I received after our opening night at the Anthology Film Archive for the New Filmmakers NY program:
"Enjoyed your film: Kids Don't Die. I thought it was beautifully shot, lit, and had emotionally full and grounded performances. I wanted to say thank you for sharing your film and I believe it is very timely with the inequality gap being the largest it has in sometime in the US. More families are moving into poverty and working for small wages. I was very moved by your film and think shining a light on urban poverty is important. I also believe our environments shape us and our emotions, which was evident to me in your film. I hope, and am sure, you have many festivals ahead. Break a leg, and best of luck on your upcoming screenings."
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has surprised me in a good way because it confirms once again that any audience is a good audience. They always get it, even if at first they despise the subject matter. They know exactly what's going on, and feel horrified by the actions this mother takes.
My point of view remains the same, the social pressure that some people are exposed to in our society are horrendous, and actions like these are judged erroneously ahead of time without looking at all the pieces, the origins of how a person got to that point of incriminating themselves in trying to find a way out. The lock-down experience during the pandemic also brought the themes expressed within this film to a new high.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd like for the film to have more exposure online and for more people to be able to view the film. The film is currently on Amazon Prime Video, and easy access platform for anyone to log into and view the film. Here is the link:
https://amzn.to/2Uzznb3
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists. At this point in my career, I'm really trying to find representation by independent art-house agency/company. Someone who can back and finance my future films. Obtaining funds to be able to finance these films is something that I'm currently seeking.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
A positive reception, as these social themes are repetitive within the stories I am trying to create. I feel that by addressing these issues we all get a chance to think and converse about them. Talking and thinking about our problems as a modern evolving society, is the only way of finding new ways to solve them, new ways of building a better fairer world.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do you think certain people reach these irrational incriminating actions?
What would you do to help them, to try and avoid these modern day tragedies?
Would you like to add anything else?
If you'd like to hear more about the film and my work as a filmmaker, there's an excellent podcast called 'Discover Indie Film' Episode 150 where you can hear some inside stories of how this film got made and what I am doing next.
Here's the link:
https://discoverindiefilm.com/150-pedro-patricio-kids-dont-die-tirachinas/
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
'Kids Don’t Die' is part of a trilogy of films that I’m currently working on in Brooklyn, NY.
Our next short film 'I DID' shoots at the end of this summer. I will be thrilled share this new film with you very soon.
Thank you for your reading, much love, Pedro Patricio.
Interview: August 2021
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
Kids Don't Die
Length:
14:00
Writer/Director
PEDRO PATRICIO is an American-Chilean award winning director, writer and producer based in Brooklyn, NY. He was raised in diverse cities and cultures: Guinea-Bissau, Africa, New York and Santiago of Chile generating his unique multicultural roots.
After finishing his undergrad theater studies at the University of Chile, he created a theater company and toured with plays through Chile and Italy gaining significant experiences in the actor’s process. He received his MFA in Film from the University of Southern California by writing and directing his thesis short film Tirachinas (2017). His newest short film, Kids Don't Die (2019) won the outstanding short film award at Film Invasion LA (2020) and best short film at Snowdance (2021); his next short film I DID (2022) is beginning principal photography this summer.
Producer
Pedro Patricio, Co-Producer: Ryan Michael Connolly, Loui Terrier
Key cast:
Christine Spang (ALESIA), Phillip Wide (ADAN), Angus North (MIRA), Irungu Mutu (PAINTER), Loui Terrier (PAINTER)
Looking for:
producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, journalists, film festival directors
https://www.facebook.com/kidsdontdie.shortfilm
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kidsdontdie_shortfilm/
Hashtags used:
#kidsdontdie
More info:
Where can I watch it now?
Amazon Prime Video Link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B097YS5G3Z/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s4