Short films are capsules. Stories condensed in a short period of time, created with inventiveness and restraint. There are no great budgets, no Studio back-up and of course You won't find these films breaking box office, since most of the time Short films are a vehicle for filmmakers and cast and crew to show the world they exist and they can do it too!
So, following the many festivals where short films are displayed to the public, three independent production companies: Renacer Films, Kranky Heads Productions and AZCAfilms, have joined forces to bring an event they call MIAMI FILM TRIO, where they plan to showcase the work of up and coming filmmakers to the public.
2011 is the first year this event will take place and it kickstarts with three films by American filmmakers of diverse origins (Ukraine, Puerto Rico, Venezuela). One of this films, INTERVIEW ME, already has the pedigree of having been named BES SHORT FILM in the last edition of the MIAMI LIFE AWARDS, a ceremony that rewards the work of latinamericans in South Florida. With that award, also came BEST DIRECTOR and BEST ACTRESS.
Interview Me tells the story of Deborah Domartin, a well known show host of an entertainment review who suddenly finds herself looking for a job after the TV station she was working for had to close operations. She has her first interview in another TV station and she takes it with professionalism, self confidence and charisma, knowing there’s no other person with her experience in the market, but she will run into a new reality. And so, the story begins.
INTERVIEW ME is not a film about the lack of communication, but a film where, no matter what you say, nobody cares. In a world where we are supposed to answer questions everywhere - when we buy anything, when we go to the doctor, when we pick up the phone, or simply walking down the street - We give lots of information and opinions and we expect that expressing ourselves means communicating, right? Think again.
In the case of Deborah, her mental stability is put to a test when she opens up her eyes to see the reality of today’s world. Julie Ferrer is cast as Deborah, inflicting her character with her own inner charisma and self confidence since she is a well known journalist herself and has been an actress in and outside the country.
The film was co-produced, written and directed by Agatino Zurria, and it’s his third film, and his first one made in the United States and in the English language. His previous films have participated in the Festival de Cine Super 8 de Punto Fijo, in Venezuela and the Festival Internacional de Cine Latinoamericano, in Havana, Cuba, as well as the Cinemateca Nacional in a special program called “Estrenar el Cine Nacional”, in Caracas, Venezuela.
“One of the things that interests me...” says Agatino, “ ...is how we are eager to answer questions and give our opinion. How we present ourselves to others with the best intentions, just to find out that people aren’t really listening, they just don’t care...it’s so frustrating, because we know that, if they did, things would be different, the way they are supposed to be, everything would run smoothly...but no, that’s not the way things happen nowadays... That's why the age of the hero has already vanished and we are immerse in this information overload."
The film has the invaluable participation of Jose-Gregorio Velasquez, as the cinematographer, editor and co-producer. This is the second time that Jose-Gegorio works with Agatino in a short film and it proves the total commitment both have in telling stories through images.
INTERVIEW ME will join BRENDA, a film by Kamen Sway and 30 DAYS, by Izzy Martinez, in the MIAMI FILM TRIO, this Sunday December 4th at 7:00 PM.
Tickets are on sale through ticketmaster.com and at the theater box office the night of the event.
Comments