Martha Stephens is a writer and director. Her micro-budget feature films “Passenger Pigeons” and “Pilgrim Song” premiered at the SXSW Film Festival. She co-wrote and co-directed “Land Ho!” with Aaron Katz, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The film was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
“To the Stars” will premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 25.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
MS: “To The Stars” follows a timid and cloistered teen girl’s coming of age in 1961 Oklahoma as she develops her first authentic friendship with a restless and enigmatic new girl.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
MS: The longing that hangs like a fog over all of the characters. It was such a beautifully written screenplay, and the yearning and aching I sensed between the words in Shannon Bradley-Colleary’s script was palpable.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
MS: Since a portion of the story is open-ended, I hope the audience is left discussing and debating the future and fate of the characters.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
MS: Crafting an authentic period piece with limited means over a meager 21 days in rural Oklahoma.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
MS: The film was funded through three independent production companies via private equity.
W&H: What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
MS: I love the worldbuilding that comes with filmmaking. When you’re directing in a best-case scenario, it’s the only time you see your dreams materialize in front of you.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
MS: Best: Don’t wait around to be given permission. I made my first feature with three friends and $7,000 off of this advice, and it miraculously landed a spot at SXSW.
Worst: Someone with authority suggested I shouldn’t direct “To the Stars.” I’m glad my intuition won out.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
MS: Speak up when you don’t feel heard. Be kind, but don’t be a doormat. I still struggle daily with not wanting to come across as too sensitive, too opinionated, too negative, too needy, etc.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
MS: I can’t commit to a singular favorite, but I do adore Nancy Savoca’s “Dogfight.” It’s such a gentle and deeply humanist film which captures the magic and poignancy right before innocence is lost. The heartbreaking performances by Lili Taylor and River Phoenix could feed your soul for days.
W&H: It’s been a little over a year since the reckoning in Hollywood and the global film industry began. What differences have you noticed since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements launched?
MS: More than anything, I’ve noticed women are coming together more in solidarity and propping one another up. It’s truly a beautiful thing.
