SCENE FROM A FUNERAL, 5min., USA, Drama
Directed by Cat Rhinehart
A woman’s biological clock chimes in at her father’s funeral.
Get to know writer/actor Anya Profumo:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
We wanted to take a look at female family dynamics in the face of tragedy. It was also an exploration about a woman coming to terms with her estranged father’s death coinciding with her dashed hopes of starting her own family and the sense of time passing her by. Within the more serious themes of the film, it was really important to us to highlight the comedy within the ridiculousness of life.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From the idea to completing the script, to casting/hiring the crew and setting the date/finding the location really only took us 6 weeks or so. However we were set to film in March 2020 and had to make the tough decision to call the shoot off the week before filming due to Covid. We finally got it shot/edited two years later.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Bathroom break.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We filmed the entire film in a tiny bathroom. We had to fit four actors, a camera woman, a sound woman, and a director all in a very confined space and somehow make it feel natural. There was a lot of twisting ourselves into tricky positions, and a LOT of laughing, but we made it work.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was so rewarding hearing the audience connect with our film. They really picked up on what the film was about and saw all of the elements that we were hoping would project through the writing, the subtext of the performances, and filming style.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Acting came very early on, but filmmaking/writing happened when Jess(co-writer/co-producer) and I met and decided to collaborate.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Too many to list, but Home for the Holidays is definitely up there.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Networking is always a welcome tool. It feels like the biggest hurdle at the moment, getting exposure for your work.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It was very easy.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Dessert.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
We are working on a few scripted projects as well as a docu-series.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 