THICKER THAN BLOOD played to rave reviews at the April 2021 LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I’ve been participating the LGBTQ+ movement in Taiwan since a few years ago for the same-sex marriage legalization. When we finally get the same-sex marriage legalized. I thought the mission was done until reading and hearing more harmful comments toward LGBTQ community and their kids. Many people are so concerned about these families being not able to raise kids properly and I’m sure we’ve all heard a lot of mean words using the second generation as their weapon. I think it’s time for us to make films about family and kids of LGBTQ. They are part of the community, too. When I read this wonderful script from my Indian writer Digvi, I just needed to take it and couldn’t wait to make it.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?
I actually left it sitting in a hard drive for a year after finishing the cut. I was a bit upset and thought I could do better. Not until last year I took it out and started to appreciate it. Got my sound designer, Mike Xu, to work on it and he did a wonderful Job. From the beginning til the final film took about 2 years. The actual shooting were just three days.
3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?
Pizza Pancake 🙂 This was actually our working title at the time. I love the lines about pizza and pancake at both the beginning and the end. It’s so cutely bring out the idea of “some rules are made up”.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was my first time working with a minor. The time restriction was a big thing I learned. Also how to respect a kid, make her feel comfortable while give my direction clearly was quite a challenge for me at the time.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was so amazing. I’m currently making a new film and of course there is frustration. Listening to people talking about my past work and some of them probably appreciate it more than I do. It’s really encouraging and motivating.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?
It was written by writer Digvi Shah but we modified it together. She came from a rather conservative environment. I think this is an effort of her making an impact and changing people back in India.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
What I’ve seen the most is probably the cartoon Mulan 😛 …. Some of my other favorites: Memento, Dogville, A Ghost Story.
8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are your feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?
It was nice and easy.
9. What is your favorite meal?
Hot pot!
10. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. I’m now making my grad thesis. It’s about an Asian woman suffering from the traditional value and arbitrary judgment on women when they become mothers.
Meanwhile also developing two feature scripts.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 