Interview with Screenwriter Birgit Syran Myaard (A WOMAN’S HAND)

Watch the Screenplay Reading:

Caught up in the conflict between two nations, a young, nomad bride defies a powerful, lecherous general in order to protect her marriage and restore peace.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Sean Ballantyne
Heber: Geoff Mays
Sisera: Allan Michael Brunet

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

A Woman’s Hand follows Jael and Deborah, two women caught up in a conflict between two nations, and how their paths intersect as they fight for their beliefs and their people’s freedom. The script was broadly inspired by Judges chapters 4 and 5 in Holy Scripture. It is an exploration of love, faith, and sacrifice, as well as how God sometimes uses even the most unexpected people or circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Faith-based, historical drama with a healthy dose of swords and sandals-style action thrown in.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Most historical epics such as Gladiator, Braveheart, and Ben Hur, have male leads that appeal to mostly male audiences, but include few moving roles for women. A Woman’s Hand has two impactful female lead roles, as well as strong female supporting characters.yet its epic battle scenes and villainous male antagonist will appeal to a broad audience.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Empowered women.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Charade.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I initially wrote it over the course of a little over a year, but put it aside for almost six years after it received Movieguide’s $10,000 Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays because I was, frankly, nervous about submitting a faith-based story to secular contests.

7. How many stories have you written?

Four and a half, plus a short.

8. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

What a Wonderful World, sung by Louis Armstrong is the most listened-to vocal song, while the most listened-to instrumental is Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

As I mentioned, submitting this script to secular contests was one mental obstacle for me. Also, learning about Old Testament times to give the script the authenticity it needed.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I enjoy gardening and watching the animal life around our home. You’ll also find me challenging my brain with British-style cryptic crosswords.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

I didn’t use FilmFreeway. I entered using the International Screenwriters’ Association website, which was easy to use.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

As a woman, I liked the idea of submitting a screenplay about two strong women to a festival that is designed to recognize the work of women in the film industry. I was thrilled with the initial feedback I received because it helped me get over my trepidation at submitting a faith-based work to secular contests.