It goes without saying that, for so many people, families are fulfilling and of the utmost importance. But as in any interpersonal relationship, navigating a family dynamic can be complicated. This month, our crowdfunding picks explore various familial relationships, focusing on the myriad dimensions that can exist within them.
In the black comedy “What She Said,” a woman suffers a personal trauma and returns home to an intervention from her brother. The short “Pamela & Marion” features two sisters who meet after three years apart and face a clash in lifestyles. And in “Queen of the Morning Calm,” a young mother learns to discover her self-worth alongside her 10-year-old daughter.
Here’s our latest round of women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.
What She Said – Directed by Amy Northup; Written by Jenny Lester
In “What She Said” Sam (Jenny Lester, who also wrote the film) has suffered a sexual assault. Frustrated with her experience in a failing judicial system, Sam drops the charges and goes back to her family’s cabin. There, she is surprised to find that her brother has staged an intervention with the help of a group of her well-meaning friends. The film has a particularly interesting focus on how others learn to respond to the trauma of family and friends, particularly after a sexual assault.
The cherry on top: “What She Said” is produced by Shallow Graves Productions, which serves to amplify women’s voices in film, and will also have an all-female crew.
Help “What She Said” tell its story by donating to its Seed&Spark campaign.
Pamela & Marion (Short) – Written and Directed by Faith Larsen
Our second pick explores the question of when differences in interests can and should lead to permanent rifts between family members. In writer-director Faith Larsen’s short “Pamela & Marion,” two estranged sisters meet after three years apart. When their values begin to challenge the other’s, they must decide if their relationship is enough to keep them in contact, or if they should gravitate apart again.
As Larsen writes, one of the themes of “Pamela & Marion” is the conflict that arises when one’s family is not supportive of their ideas. This leads to intriguing discussions within the short regarding the lifestyle choices of women and the expectation that they should live free of judgment.
Help support the project through its Indiegogo campaign.
Queen of the Morning Calm – Written and Directed by Gloria Ui Young Kim
“I’m a survivor of violence. This has affected how I walk in the world. Most people are really uncomfortable when I talk about it — they would rather I shut up. Well, I won’t.” These are the blunt first sentences uttered by writer-director Gloria Ui Young Kim in her crowdfunding video for “Queen of the Morning Calm.” The film, which took her 11 years to get off the ground, is clearly an investment of her passion and dedication to her message.
The feature concerns an immigrant sex worker who is trying to escape cycles of poverty and abuse as well as a bad relationship with an addict — all the while taking care of her young daughter. As Kim explains, she is attempting to change the narratives surrounding victimhood and the commodification of women’s bodies through this film. By framing a story of true love as the relationship between a mother and a daughter, “Queen of the Morning Calm” allows for women to take control and become the heroes of their own journey.
Contribute to the film’s Kickstarter campaign here.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
