THE SILENT SCREAM was the winner of BEST SHORT FILM at the July 202 DIVERSITY Film Festival.
1. What motivated you to make this film?
News / stories like female sexual assault , misbehave with female coworker are always around us .
Around the world in almost all industries , professions we see such stories specially in fashion and film industries.For various reasons women do not report sexual assault to the authorities. and they continue their life with Feelings of low self-esteem, self-blame and guilt….They’re Helpless.
Few years back when I was going to the office…,I saw some shopkeepers preparing their window display with female mannequins …though they were not mistreating mannequins and doing their job neatly,some of the moments / visuals [man holding mannequins ] made me uncomfortable and i thought how these mannequins will react if they will come alive…..and i got the Metaphor.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
As an individual film maker it’s always hard to maintain balance between your passion for film and your Job [bread butter].
The Silent Scream started in 2018 and I was working on it whenever I got time…and Film finished in 2021.
As this film has been executed single handed by me …i can say its approx 3 months Task .
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
speak up
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
To Convey feelings which shouldn’t look or sound Preachy and informative.
Also it should look artistic ..like each shot / still image as a painting ….expressing feelings.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was a SUPERB experience.
As Creator we feel something …And we want the world to experience the same.
so we pour our feelings into art form….then …Viewers watch our art and experiences…. feel the same.
Also it’s more beautiful and challenging when it’s with minimal words and more visuals with Music.
After watching the feedback video It feels like the film has conveyed the thought.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
After finishing my fine art degree from Sir J J school Art i joined the Animation industry.
While learning Animation.. various thoughts came into my mind ….so I converted those thoughts into small Animation clips with Start Middle and End ….yes that was my beginning to express myself.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
In childhood Marathi films , Hindi films …Any film on National channels[ some of them were even in different languages ]
After I join Animation I used to attend MIFF [ Mumbai International Film Festival ],
Prabhat Chitra Mandal [ Film Society ]where I saw movies from different countries and cultures.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking Career?
All the initiatives taken by Festivals are Great and I appreciate and I am thankful to them ….but subscribing trophy for some dollars !! This is something new to me.
Maybe because I am participating after a long time and I don’t know the industry or maybe I don’t know how complex it is to run a festival…. But I can not imagine that I am paying for the trophy / I am buying the trophy……instead I would love to invest that money in my passion ….which is my next film.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Good….Nice site to browse film festivals as per requirement.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Local food / Veg meal ….which is set by our Rishis / sage person .
With the power of meditation they have set it as per geography and its seasons in Nature.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes…I have taken a break from my Job to complete 3 shorts.
Now I am working on my next film and excited to submit it to your festival…..see you soon!😇
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 