THE IMAGINATION OF UNFULFILLED DREAMS, 3min., Costa Rica, Experimental
Directed by Susana Sánchez-Carballo
The series “Imagination of Unfulfilled Desires” revolves around the idea of the unwanted maternity. This audiovisual creation opens up the possibility to reflect on the fact that the desire of not having children or getting an abortion is a silent scream: Nobody acknowledges this communication.
http://susanasanchezcarballo.com/
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Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
My motivation is to create a space for reflection on the fact that a woman’s desire to not have children or to abort, is a mute cry: nothing valid this communication in the context of Central America (where I come from), where there is a strong religious and conservative ideological position in a part of society that intervenes in policies and jurisprudence, violating the human rights of the population that have been vulnerable for decades.
There is indoctrination of women and social pressure for her to consider the myth of maternal love as truth and by conscious, so that she can assume her role as a good mother, for she must be something natural in her.
In my film I intend to explore how that myth along with that of sacred motherhood contribute to the formation of a collective memory, where being a mother is not an option but a legally and valuably imposition, especially in a society like Costa Rica and the rest of Central America where abortion is illegal.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took me three years, approximately, to complete the realization of this video art
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Political complaint
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The economic cost, since for the subject of this type of film, there is no State support or private companies that finance part of their production.
Especially with the conservative governments in power in the different countries of Central America and specifically the current government of my country, Costa Rica.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was extremely excited to see that people could perceive what I intended to translate into my work, despite the fact that the testimonies of the women participating in the Spanish language, I believe that by the sound construction I made in the editing and the successful incorporation of English subtitles I managed to create a connection and empathy in the audience with the despair that many women feel in a situation of impotence and vulnerability when socially and legally prevented them from deciding on their bodies and their desire not to be mothers.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Since I was a student of Arts at the University, however at that time I did not have the financial resources of my own so I could materialize cinematographically what was in my head.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The Piano de Jane Campion and Ingmar Bergman’s Person
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Although experience has been extremely gratifying and beautiful, I think it might be valuable to pay (symbolic) for participation or, if the film wins a prize.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
My experience through this platform has been very good and has opened me the possibility to meet many festivals and opinions about my film.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Rice and beans, which is a typical and traditional meal in Costa Rica, is specifically a meal created in the Costa Rican Caribbean by Afro-Caribbean people.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Exactly, I will continue to make films, either through video art or documentary, as the audiovisual media is a poetic, interdisciplinary language, through which I can express my concerns and make a public and political complaint about violence against women and girls.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 