Rhode Island International Film Festival 2019 – Constellations

As a young woman realises her sexual needs have grown beyond her relationship with her boyfriend, a chance encounter allows her to take control of her fantasies.

Interview with Writer/Director/Actor Anna Maguire

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I really wanted to explore a different presentation of female sexuality - I find that so often in films when young women start to explore their sexuality, it is either really vanilla or incredibly sexually violent, leading to the disturbing, morality-tale like maxim ‘be careful what you wish for’. I felt that it was important to show a young woman growing restless in her relationship from a sexual standpoint, and her boyfriend’s fear or unwillingness to follow her bourgeoning sexual experimentation. What follows shows the complexity of desire and following through with those desires. However, ultimately it is positive and she has sexual control over the situation. I wanted to show the possibility and importance of mutuality and respect, even in a casual sexual encounter, without making a moral judgement about it.

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

If you want to ask questions about your own desires or your partner's desires in an honest way!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

It's a very personal film, in the sense that I wrote it, directed it and acted in it, but it's not autobiographical in a strict sense. I think it's part of a wider conversation that I've been having with friends and people in general about sexual desire, and how women are often given very strict parameters, societally, as to what they 'should' desire. Breaking out of that can often come at the expense of shame or a sense of being different, when in fact women are not given much of a chance to set the tone sexually with men.

Constellations

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

There were a variety of drafts over the course of nearly a year off and on, and I worked with Jessie Mangum, my producer, who was really helpful in advancing the draft as we went. But the written script is also different from the finished film, as it always is in my experience, as it takes on a life of its own through performance.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Lots of different feedback! Some people love it and feel like they haven't seen themselves represented so clearly on a screen before, which means so much to me, and is what I wanted to do. Others specifically say they don't like Sasha, the lead protagonist, or question her motives - I'm very happy to hear any responses.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I have my own perspective on the film and why I made it and its meaning, but I'm very happy for people to interpret it for themselves. I have been surprised at the level of discomfort the film has elicited in some people, or when people focus on liking or not liking the main character, as to me that's not the point, but equally, it's totally valid that people respond the way they want. I want, more than anything, for the work to challenge peoples' opinions and make them think about their own needs, desires and relationships, and however it does that, it's ultimately not within my control.

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

I hope that people get the chance to watch the work! It's nice to share work I've made, that's the point - to share stories and have conversations that hopefully allow us to go deeper and understand more about ourselves and others.

Constellations

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

We've screened at a variety of festivals worldwide, but more festivals would be a great place to start, as well as anybody who wants to write about the film - really I'm open!

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

I would like it to encourage honest discussion!

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

What turns you on?

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

I recently finished working on a short film entitled 'It's Nothing' exploring a young woman's struggle with anorexia. It's premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this September which I'm looking forward to. I'm writing my first feature, which Jessie, who produced 'Constellations' is producing also, about a mother/daughter relationship set against the backdrop of London's housing crisis. Jessie has recently finished a feature film with Film London and the BBC and is working on various projects.

Interview: August 2019

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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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Constellations

As a young woman realises her sexual needs have grown beyond her relationship with her boyfriend, a chance encounter allows her to take control of her fantasies.

Length: 18:01

Director: Anna Maguire

Producer: Jessie Mangum

Writer: Anna Maguire

About the writer, director and producer:

ANNA MAGUIRE is s British/Canadian writer, director and actress. Her directorial work has screened at festivals including TIFF, Palm Springs, POFF Black Nights and the BFI London Film Festival where she was nominated for Best Short Film with Your Mother and I in 2016. She has won awards at Rhode Island International Film Festival, The London Short Film Festival, Thessaloniki International Film Festival and Underwire Film Festival among others and was longlisted for a BAFTA and nominated for Best Short Film at the London Critics’ Circle. As an actress, Anna recently performed in Kim Nguyen’s latest feature The Hummingbird Project alongside Salma Hayek, Jesse Eisenberg and Alexander Skarsgard. She is currently writing her first feature film.

Producer JESSIE MANGUM is currently in post-production on the feature film Looted directed by BIFA winning Rene Pannevis, which is funded through the Microwave scheme. In 2019 she will produce the short Buroad B*tches, directed by Rubika Shah (White Riot), which has been commissioned through the Uncertain Kingdom initiative. Her earlier producing credits include Associate Producer on Cherie Nowlan’s 2007 Sundance hit Clubland starring Brenda Blethyn, Co-producer of Julien Temple’s film opera The Eternity Man (Locarno 2008), and Producer of Deborah Mailman’s Ralph (Oberhausen 2010), which won the Australian IF Award for best short film (Australia’s BIFA awards). She regularly consults on story development for production companies, film schools and screen agencies including Screen Australia, BAFTA Rocliffe and Met Film.

Key cast: Anna Maguire, David Elliot, Jack Monaghan

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, buyers

Facebook: Constellations

Twitter: @annacmaguire

Instagram: @annacmaguire

Website: annamaguire.co.uk

Other: IMDb

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival in August and more announcements to come...