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Backstroke
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Total Runtime 20:29 |
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Julie is startled to discover that Rome, an ex-lover who she thought was dead, has ended up in the same psychiatric hospital where Julie now resides. Rome also has amnesia and, thus, no recollection of their relationship.
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Amy Bronson
Amy Bronson grew up in Orange, CA and now resides in Salt Lake City, UT. Amy went to the University of Utah for film studies. Her first project, Backstroke, was her first narrative film. She has worked on several documentaries, including one about the Utah State Legislature's constant attempts to gay-straight alliances in Utah's high schools.
For more information go to http:\\www.backstrokefilm.com
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Q: What inspired you to make your film? Was there any specific reason you chose to make your film? How did you come up with the idea for your film?
Amy: Originally I wanted to make some sort of gay, modern extension of Romeo and Juliet, supposing the original tragedy didnt end the way that it does. Not only did I immediately discover that this was too much to cram into a short film, but the story took a more personal turn as I was writing it, and the adaptation sort of dissolved.
Q: What do you hope to convey through your film?
Amy: Its been really gratifying to see that this film has touched so many different people gay, straight, old, young, etc. A lot of people have been able to relate to two people remembering their relationship very differently which is kind of at the core of Backstroke.
I hope this doesnt make me sound too sour (Im happy! I promise!), but I wanted to make a film in which a character doesnt turn around and run into anothers arms at the last minute. For the most part, Julie ends up right back where she started, but a hell of a lot more lost. The characters and story itself are very still and frozen which is why I never move the camera and I wanted that stillness to make things seem even more lonely and lost for the characters. I actually shot a lot of the psych ward scenes with extras in the background, but decided to do away with extras each time because the scene seemed too warm and active.
I also wanted water to almost be a character in the film as well theres a reason the sink is on when Julie and Rome kiss, and theres a reason the psych ward is in the middle of the desert.
Q: Who are your favorite filmmakers/what are a few of your favorite films and why?
Amy: Ozu, Almodovar, and Jonze are the first that come to mind. Being John Malkovich and Talk To Her are two of my favorite movies.
Q: Anything else you'd like to provide on your film?
Amy: Its my first one! It was shot entirely in Utah on a budget of about $800. I was also very lucky to get my first choices for music Timonium, Amina, and Devics were generous enough to make that happen. Music was a huge part of the film, I have to say. I made mix CDs for my actors, and before production began I told them which tracks I listened to when I wrote and developed certain scenes.
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