Telling stories through film and conversation.
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WILDsound's The Film Podcast

In each episode, the C.E.O. of WILDsound, Matthew Toffolo, chats about all things storytelling and film. Conversations with talented individual from all around the world.

Posts in Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1441: Filmmaker Zeb Daemen (FAN LETTER)

FAN LETTER, 15min., Belgium
Directed by Zeb Daemen
Set in the glamorous 1950s, Fan Letter follows Ricky, a renowned singer at the height of his fame. One evening, before another sold-out show, Ricky receives a letter from someone he thought was lost to time—his first love, whom he hasn’t heard from in years. Attached to the letter is a phone number.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

The idea for Fan Letter started when I came across old images of Elvis reading fan mail. There was something captivating about those moments. This massive star, adored by millions, yet sitting alone with handwritten letters, connecting with fans in such a personal yet distant way. That led me down a rabbit hole, researching actual fan letters from the time, and what struck me was how deeply emotional and devoted they were. These young women poured their hearts into these letters, idolizing someone they’d never truly know.

At the same time, I’ve always been fascinated by the 1950s. The music, the culture, and especially how it was marketed almost exclusively to a young female audience. But beneath that glossy, dreamy surface, there was a much harsher reality, especially for artists. Around this time, I also watched the documentary on Tab Hunter, and his story really stuck with me, the pressures of fame, the sacrifices, and the hidden truths behind these carefully curated public images.

Once this idea took hold, it became my passion project. I kept thinking about what it would be like for an artist to look back at a life built on a bargain they couldn’t fully understand at the time, what they gained, but more importantly, what they lost. Ricky’s story grew from that, and I knew I had to tell it.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Really sweet! Nice to hear that people have a good reaction to the film.

Also a little strange.

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EP. 1440: Filmmakers Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & Sandra D. Hodge-Hampton (ROSALIND)

ROSALIND, 32min,. USA
Directed by Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton
Vivian and Rosalind love each other, but after Rosalind was diagnosed with lung cancer she became abusive to her only caregiver, Vivian, for nine life draining years. When Vivian leaves town to see her dying father, a nurse and their close friend, Phoebe, teaches both Rosalind and Vivian a lesson in love they will never forget.

http://www.gloryfilmworks.com/
https://facebook.com/gloryvisionworks
https://www.instagram.com/gloryvisionworks/

Get to know director Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & writer/producer/songwriter Sandra Hodge-Hampton:

What motivated you to make this film?

Sandra (writer/producer/songwriter): I wanted to show that when a person has limited strength or even a terminal diagnosis their caregivers should let them keep as much independence as they can because in addition to the sadness associated with the illness the person is also dealing with feeling like a burden to their loved ones.

Veronica (director/producer): I wanted to make this film to show that caregivers need to ask for help while they are caring for their person whoever that is, and that it is okay to ask for help when you’re not the one that’s sick.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Sandra: Relieved and thankful! Because I prayed that everything I wanted to convey in the script would translate into a meaningful and thought provoking experience for the audience and their comments proved that we did our job.

Veronica: It made me happy that they understood what we were trying to say. They got the emotion, they understood the stress and strain on both characters and they saw Vivian overcome in the end and be at peace about how she took care of Rosalind.

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EP. 1438: Filmmaker Andrew Pritzker (HOMEPLANET)

HOMEPLANET, 26min., USA
Directed by Andrew Pritzker
Barefoot on a country highway, a Disoriented Man is picked up by Two Local Cops who suspect he may be a space alien.

http://qikfingerfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/qikfingerfilmsllc/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I had a funny idea kicking around in my head about two cops picking up guy on a country road because they thought he was a space alien. But when I fleshed out the story I decided it wasn’t really about the cops but the guy they arrested. So the questioned remained, “Who is he and what is he doing there?” When the script refocused it turned from comedy to a character drama. Once I found the emotional thread, I wanted to shoot the film.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was really happy by the response. The reviewers spoke positively about the film and connected to it emotionally. We loved their reactions. They had a personal experience with the film and that’s terrific.

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EP. 1437: Screenwriters Nigel Lee & Ashley Barrios (HOPPA)

Watch the best scene reading of HOPPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzN8nTYJLIQ

Get to know the writers:

What is your screenplay about?

Log Line: Struggling with insecurity and doubt about the longevity of their relationship, an American couple travels to Iceland for answers through a unique form of therapy, threatening both their relationship and their lives. Every relationship is a leap of faith.

Synopsis: In the mesmerizing landscapes of Iceland, a disillusioned yet determined American couple, Fawn and Rabbit, embark on a desperate journey for answers to their critical relationship questions through an unconventional couple’s therapy program – HOPPA. Their path leads through a series of harrowing experiences designed to reveal their truest selves while challenging their perception of reality and their beliefs about love and life. As their experiences grow increasingly eerie and nightmarish, they struggle with their inherent differences, relentless lack of communication, and uncompromising needs of each other. Their journey culminates at the edge of a cliff, where a moment of revelation leads to chaos and unfathomable implications from their decisions throughout their HOPPA experience.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Psychological Thriller, Horror, Drama

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The story explores relatable, honest partnership struggles as both parties navigate the possibility of compromising their individuality for a shared life together, and the depths they will go to know if their relationship is worth that risk.

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EP. 1436: Screenwriter Naz Tokgoz (CHRYSALIS)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONlg9ToDKoY

“Chrysalis” navigates the story of Deniz, an enigmatic alien who, upon arriving on Earth, assumes the form of a 20-something girl. Driven by loneliness and curiosity, she becomes captivated by the vibrant Turkish culture. Alternating between the euphoria of her love with a Turkish woman, Melisa, and the aftermath of a tragic loss caused by homophobia in modern Turkish society, the narrative weaves subtle hints alluding to Deniz’s true nature, inviting contemplation on whether she is an extraterrestrial or a representation of someone who feels like an outsider within their own country. The story delicately portrays the healing journey of both Deniz and Melisa’s grieving mother within a city so capable of profound love, yet at times challenged to extend that love to others.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The screenplay explores what it means to love in a city like Istanbul- a place that is both beautiful and complicated. Growing up in this country (as with any country), you can find love in every corner within its people. However, there’s also a heartbreaking cycle of hate that seeps through, especially towards the LGBTQ community.

Istanbul is naturally a loving city, but the struggle to embrace all forms of love has persisted for years. This paradox inspired me to create a story that highlights the loneliness and complexity of being part of a community like this in Istanbul. Despite the hate, I believe the city is and will always be filled with love- sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to see that love in its purest form is universal. My love is no different than your love.

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EP. 1435: Filmmaker Miguel Ángel Vives Ponzanelli (Onámuh)

Onámuh, 22min,. Mexico
Directed by Miguel Ángel Vives Ponzanelli
Onámuh, a humanoid marked by past abuses, searches for resources to survive. Árret, a deity of the earth, helps him and takes him to her lair, where Onámuh finds the energy he needed. However, his need turns into an addiction, leading him to abuse Árret and make her his prisoner. As the environment rapidly deteriorates, Onámuh must make a fatal decision due to his accumulated guilt.

https://www.instagram.com/pm.a.v/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

Philosophically, I’ve always loved the ideas Nietzsche had around nature and the way Humans perceive it in terms of an ego out of proportions. We humans tend to try and trap nature in our supposed “reason” but, in that futile attempt, we unleash a destructive force that tries to compensate the shameful fact that we understand almost nothing in the greater scheme of the natural universe. I wanted to portray that struggle with visual metaphors, symbols and allegories.

This brings me to the social part of the motivation to do the film. I’m mexican and, inside my country, we have deep problems concerning the destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. So, I saw an opportunity to try and create awareness of the problem that affects Mexico but also the entire planet as well. A good film can change perspectives and put people into action. Hopefully, this short film generates a bit of that in the audiences that watch it.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I cried. Really, I did. I felt like the film directors that inspired me to do films. My sole purpose has always been to give audiences something worth watching you know? Good quality, good script, performances and attention to detail! The feedback video gave me validation to do more without compromising.

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EP. 1434: Filmmaker Bryan Cote (THE BOSTON BULLDOGS)

THE BOSTON BULLDOGS, 96min., USA
Directed by Bryan Cote
“The Boston Bulldogs” is a 90-minute documentary film interviewing 5 people from a running club for addiction recovery, interconnected by one woman’s story from finishing the Boston Marathon after her first full year of sobriety to her relapse 24 hours later, and now her recovery 10 years later. The filmmakers follow Meaghan on a run at the site of her first day with the club in 2014, talk with her sister who saw her addiction at its worst and helped her to recovery, interview Meaghan and her husband Conan about their relationship, their hope for their kids, and Conan’s path, interview Ashley who talks about her low self-confidence on the way to addiction and recovery and how Meaghan saved her life, return to Meaghan and Ashley’s sober living house, and hear why the club formed from its founder. The film is intended to show people in recovery in a positive, hopeful light, providing guidance for those dealing with addiction now, their family and for youth and families dealing with the pressures that come from coming of age in the 2020s.

https://www.thebehavioralhealthhour.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film? I

‘m a lifelong journalist and love to tell stories and wanted to work with my son on a project to marry our two interests – mine writing, his more broadcasting and film. This was an easy story to want to tell because addiction affects so many people worldwide and is misunderstood, and the running club is a great way to address addiction and recovery, particularly at a public health level but very much so at a local level. I wanted to try to tell this story in a different way than on paper…

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Rewarding and validating. It was great to hear the reviewers mention things like the questions we asked and how the film impacted them. I also appreciated one of the reviewers acknowleding that the film is long – probably too long – which I get and I agree with candidly….I found it difficult to organize and package the content in a film compared to a written story. Much easier with words. Harder with images, video.

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EP. 1433: Filmmaker Bianca Roth (ELIZA)

ELIZA, 11min., USA
Directed by Bianca Roth
After hitting rock bottom, 23 year old MIA, updates her home AI system to help turn her life around. What start out as small “life improvements” slowly begin to control her.

http://biancarothfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/biancaaroth/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I first got the idea to make this film when I kept hearing about everyone using chat gpt… honestly myself included! Obviously this AI helps a lot of people in their day to day life which I think can be a great thing. However, as the uprising of AI technology becomes more and more prevalent I started to think about where the boundary is. How much can AI help until it begins to just do things for us, and then at what point does that begin to take over. This led me to a bigger thought of will AI get so smart it begins to take over…. I hope not! These are some of things I had in my head and I wanted to create a snapshot of one person’s experience during that AI takeover.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very happy to hear that a lot of the themes and messages I had put into the film came across. I wanted to show the buildup of how AI can start as helpful and pose the question of what can happen if it becomes too much. I am so happy people enjoyed it!

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EP. 1431: Filmmaker Shane Kosugi (SEEK)

SEEK, 93min,. Japan
Directed by Shane Kosugi
Kyohei Aizawa, an assassin for a covert non-governmental espionage group in Japan called “???” or “SEEK”, is grieving over the loss of his girlfriend from a tragic plane accident.

https://www.instagram.com/shanekosugi/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
A: I grew up around the movie industry and always had a passion for watching and making films. Furthermore, I love ACTION movies!

. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
A: From pre-production to the final product took about 1 year.

. How would you describe your film in two words!?
A: Kamikaze Action

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
A: With all the action in this film and the limited time to film it in due to cast and location constraints.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
A: First of all, Honored. I was so happy that they thought it was exciting, the action was top notch, and that they found the story to be intriguing. All feedback good and bad will help make my future films to be even better.

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EP. 1429: Filmmakers Sam Hall & Nick Murphy (FIGHTERS)

FIGHTERS, 4min., USA
Directed by Sam Hall
A deep space research station is under attack from an overwhelming force. Hope arrives in the form of an elite squadron of fighters.

https://www.instagram.com/samgoingwest/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I've spent most of my life helping make other people's stories and I wanted the chance to do something my way.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I thought it was interesting, especially the reviewer who thought it reminded them of a game of which I'm unfamiliar. Generally I'm just glad it makes sense. That was something I was never quite sure about.

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EP. 1428: Filmmaker Krstover Luaay (SCORPION)

SCORPION. 10min., USA
Directed by Krstover Luaay
When former gang member Peter’s decision to leave his criminal past behind leads to the ruthless murder of his family by vengeful ex-comrades, he is thrust into a perilous quest for retribution. Fuelled by grief and anger, Peter transforms into the relentless Scorpion, navigating a treacherous underworld to settle the score and confront his past, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that will redefine his destiny

http://iqbproductions.com/

https://www.instagram.com/director_krstoverluaay

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I have always been drawn to action films, and my first short film, Money Greed, was also an action film. The story itself was a strong motivator for me, as I wanted to create something that resonated with audiences while delivering high-energy, impactful sequences.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience discuss your film in the feedback video?

It was an incredible experience. Seeing people engage with my work and share their thoughts was truly rewarding—I couldn’t stop smiling.

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EP. 1426: Filmmaker Lorick Jain (THE LAST PUFF)

THE LAST PUFF, 4min., India
Directed by Lorick Jain

https://www.instagram.com/lorick.jain/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I have a personal attachment to this problem. I lost my grandfather to smoking hence I’m making the world aware of its ill effects. However, I wanted to message this to the audience using a non traditional method. I feel an ad, doesn’t have the same impact as a short conveying the message through the horror, thriller, and suspense genre.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took me about 3 weeks to complete the film.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Final drag.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I think as a first time filmmaker all aspects of filming were new and challenging to me.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I am truly ecstatic winning the best micro short at the world’s #1 Thriller film festival in the world. More importantly, I think the audience feedback video truly helped me understand how my work can reach people and evoke deep emotions in them.

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EP: 1425: Screenwriter Matthew Clark (MADE IN PHILADELPHIA)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD7-GJD_6EU

The untold true story of Phil Leonetti, the youngest underboss in mafia history, and how he brought down the mob. Set in one of the most brutal eras of the Philadelphia Crime Family, young Phil Leonetti rose through the ranks to become second-in-command to his uncle, Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo, and eventually turned government witness. His cooperation turned convictions against his own family, John Gotti, Vincent Gigante, and countless others. The downfall of La Cosa Nostra as it was began with Phil Leonetti.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Philadelphia Crime Family in the 1980s (I’ll expand on this)

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Crime/Thriller

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It has not been done before, in any capacity, and there is an audience for this kind of work. It’s an untapped story with incredible potential

How would you describe this script in two words?

Untold and engrossing

What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

The Godfather

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EP. 1424: Writer Kimberly Lawton (THE SPECIALS)

Watch the stage play reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOvCadojSGY

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Ultimately it’s about loneliness and how if can look different through grief or mental illness. Some people struggle with it and seem to function well (career, appearing ‘normal’) and others seems devastated emotionally and outwardly. Each of my main characters deal with it in different ways, but the fact is human beings need connection.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This is a slice of life drama.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I think resilience is always something that speaks to audiences. In spite of real challenges of grief and mental illness, it’s important to own your challenges and work through them.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Humanely complex

.What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

It’s a toss up between The Princess Bride, Casablanca and When Harry Met Sally. At different times in my life, I could recite each of them word for word.

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EP. 1413: Filmmaker Guillermo Ronco (BAD BLOOD)

BAD BLOOD, 19min., Argentina
Directed by Guillermo Ronco
Abandoned by the state and with his daughter’s life at stake, police officer Rafael chooses to break his deepest convictions and commit a crime to resolve his situation. But when what was supposed to be a robbery turns into a kidnapping, he discovers that there are limits he cannot cross.

https://www.instagram.com/lucero_audiovisual/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
In 2018/19, I began developing my first feature film, “Saints of Buenaventura”, but it was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. So, my next move to push forward this project was to shoot a short film with similar characteristics in terms of tone and artistic style. So, I took the structure of the third act of the first draft of that script and turned it into a story with a beginning and end in less than 20 minutes.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was awesome! The way they got engaged and moved by the story, and their comments about the right pacing and the sound score building suspense and anticipation. I work so consciously on those topics that it makes me very proud that I got them right. Feedback is priceless for us filmmakers. Thanks so much for that!

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EP. 1411: Filmmaker Samson Ziegelman (THE SECOND CITY – A Documentary)

The Second City – A Documentary, 34min., USA
Directed by Samson Ziegelman
My goal with this documentary is to share the magic of The Second City and the art of improvisation with actor and writer Bob Odenkirk and Second City Vice President Kelly Leonard. We discuss their Second City experiences, the stars they have worked with, how improv shaped their careers, and advice for the younger generation.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I spent four summers at The Second City, learning and performing improv, and it left an indelible impression on me. With this documentary, I wanted to give back to The Second City and hopefully inspire people interested in comedy to give improv a try.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I am so pleased and grateful that people responded so positively. I am very glad people learned more about The Second City!

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved being creative. I have always been interested in movies and my passion sparked after I watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The way John Hughes highlighted Chicago, the city I grew up in, was deeply inspiring to me, and I hope to one day highlight the city in a similar way through my films.

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EP. 1410: Screenwriter Stephanie Neroes (COLLATERAL HEARTS)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6neBm5HFRE

After spending their tenth wedding anniversary at the Mackinac Island, Jackson and Rebecca are in a tragic car accident which leaves her in a coma for 6 months and Jackson dead. After she wakes up, she has to grieve the loss and this takes a toll on her. She meets Patrick when he comes to the school to unblock a toilet one of her students filled with sand. He feels familiar to her but she brushes it off until she goes to a church to attend grief counseling, the same church he is attending AA meetings at. They become close until she realises that Patrick was the reason for the accident.


Get to know the writer:

1.. What is your screenplay about?
Collateral Hearts is about how one navigates the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and healing after experiencing profound loss and trauma.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Drama, Romance, Family

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I feel like in a world seeking empathy, forgiveness, and resilience, Collateral Hearts offers a timely exploration of the power of second chances and healing after unimaginable loss. As audiences resonate with universal themes of grief, addiction, and hope, this story speaks to the struggles and redemption many face today, making it both poignant and relevant.

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EP. 1407: Screenwriter Megan Breen (SERPENTINE PINK)

SERPENTINE PINK, 78min., USA
Directed by Vivian Sorenson
A dark surreal experience. A first of its kind, vortex of a lesbian?? John Waters film meets Yellow Rose meets early Almodóvar on a Lynchian induced trip??in the Mojave desert.??Serious Lost Highway vibes!

https://hardknockprod.com/serpentine-pink/
https://www.facebook.com/serpentinepinkfilm
https://twitter.com/HardKnockProdCo
https://www.instagram.com/serpentinepinkfilm

https://www.instagram.com/megzeppelinn/

Get to know the screenwriter:

Serpentine Pink started out as a play and was given a sublimely wild life as a visceral immersive festival production in Los Angeles in 2013. It was an incredibly special experience to put on such an emotional story about broken hearts trying to heal in the weirdness of the California desert, everybody involved in the production bonded through the uniquely rigorous catharsis that occurred after conjuring such rawness in every performance. I can’t remember who it was but it was either Kristin Condon, who co-leads the film as Henrietta and is a co-producer, or O-Lan Jones who plays Andra, who expressed that Serpentine Pink and the expansive possibilities within its surreal visual vocabulary, as well as the vibrational intimacy of the wounded characters, would make a rad indie movie. I was super moved and excited by the focus on the female-led filmmaking of an underheard LGBTQ+ story, as well as the idea of transforming the theatrical depiction of pain and the characters’ wayward navigational attempts towards healing into an ambitiously poetic cinematic experience – at once personal and epic, highly stylized and on location on the spiritual vortices of the Joshua Tree desert. 

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EP. 1406: Filmmaker Vivian Sorenson (SERPENTINE PINK)

SERPENTINE PINK, 78min., USA
Directed by Vivian Sorenson
A dark surreal experience. A first of its kind, vortex of a lesbian?? John Waters film meets Yellow Rose meets early Almodóvar on a Lynchian induced trip??in the Mojave desert.??Serious Lost Highway vibes!

https://hardknockprod.com/serpentine-pink/
https://www.facebook.com/serpentinepinkfilm
https://twitter.com/HardKnockProdCo
https://www.instagram.com/serpentinepinkfilm

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
What motivated me to make this movie was the beauty and raw emotion embedded in Megan Breen’s words (Screenplay writer and playwright). The pain these characters endure is both devastating and strangely beautiful, and I felt compelled to bring their experiences to life. I love the desert and the visuals you can capture there. I wanted dance to be a part of the film and the strangeness, hostility of the desert to be a character as well. I knew it would require a unique approach—boxing gloves to tackle the challenging, brutal scenes, and soft mittens to smooth, coax, and nurture the words, scenes, guiding them into a compelling narrative flow. I also always love a good driving scene!

I’m drawn to horror, the starkness of wilderness and desert landscapes, and the emotional complexity they evoke. I also love working with actors as sensitive and talented as this cast. This project offered the unique challenge of transforming a piece that began as a play and evolved into a film script into a cohesive and captivating narrative that offered a perspective not usually seen in cinema.

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EP. 1401: Filmmaker Sue A. Schroeder (HOME)

HOME, 30min,. USA
Directed by Sue Schroeder, Adam Larsen
Filmed in France and Poland, Larsen and Schroeder, alongside an international community of gifted artists – from Columbia, France, Germany, Israel, Poland and the US- seek to create connection, impact, and meaning through a visually rich and poetic experience of beauty and loss, tenderness and urgency, action and recognition, mirroring and magnifying light. The work is gentle and steadfast, sharing and protecting life and in its surest moments, revealing the “we”, instead of the “I”.

Get to know filmmaker Sue A. Schroeder:

What motivated you to make this film?

Adam Larsen and I have collaborated on a number of projects with one or the other of us taking the lead. For HOME, we chose to start with a “shared” idea, tied to our kindred artistic vision – beauty and nature. An urgency developed as the climate crisis raged on. Activating empathy in our viewers, a “felt” sense became all the more important – hence the personal stories and human figure within the film.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Curiosity and amazement – how each viewer has their individual experience of the film and yet all are true.

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