This film should be watched with an open mind. I want the viewer to create their own personal interpretation about it.
However, I had several themes I wanted to infuse into this film and several extra ones that came about during the making of.
However, I had several themes I wanted to infuse into this film and several extra ones that came about during the making of.
This film is obviously an environmental piece, based on the symbolism and colour palette. I wanted to emphasize the importance on our planet becoming more desperate. The imagery of a desolate land, with nothing to be seen for miles was incorporated to make the future seem bleak.
Having Asha, an 8-year-old girl be the protagonist of the story is a purposeful representation that the youth may have the power to save us, but they are going to require a lot of courage to do so.
Asha and her mother have a strong relationship based on the values of creativity and an almost nostalgic past. They celebrate in the beauty of creating, leaving an impact, as a hand print on the world. Asha's mother is the light in her life, her protection and her mentor and so when that is taken away, Asha doesn’t anything left.
Except for a single idea.
"A single idea can change the world..."
|
The bulb represents just that, the future, the ideas, what we have to conquer, and where we have to take them to make a change. The journey will teach us just as much as the destination.
Sometime around seventh grade I remember coming home from the theater. Specifically moved by the trailers, but undeniably inspired by the film as well. All of the films I’ve had the chance to watch have moved me to some way, or sparked a great emotion. These bursts of inspiration caused me to create my own characters, plots, and scenarios which eventually led me to film school. I have this deep rooted desire to not only make something inspiring, but also something that will change the perspective of the viewer and potentially be impactful enough to make a difference on the world. This has become my ultimate goal; to create art that inspires a feeling and makes a change. |
"To change the world"
“Don't try to change the world, find something that you love
And do it every day Do that for the rest of your life And eventually, the world will change” -Macklemore |
And so I sat alone in my room and I had no idea how to change this world, but I knew I wanted to try with film. I feel it is one of the only mediums that grabs the attention of every single person, not just those who are advocates. It has the power to motivate us into thinking differently.
I felt the way this might be possible is through documentary, showing the earth we call home and the effects we have on it. To emphasize the beauty and put a perspective on how detrimental we can be towards it. From Here To evolved into that. I feel climate change, and pollution are some of our biggest threats of the future. It’s the simplest and most difficult thing we have to try and change. Why? For the youth. However, I believe the youth are the ones that hold the key. If nourished, they hold the power to change, and bring new ideas. My idea was planted that day as a desperate teenager, and even now, second year university, I still hold fast to this idea and have infused it into this film. |
We have to have courage to present change.
I don’t think this film will change the world on a global scale, but I hope it can give its audience something to think about. I have bared my soul and believed in this idea since its conception. That is the kind of courage it takes to make a difference.
I don’t think this film will change the world on a global scale, but I hope it can give its audience something to think about. I have bared my soul and believed in this idea since its conception. That is the kind of courage it takes to make a difference.
"But this idea must be planted in order to grow"
Come the beginning of August, nearing the end of production, I realized a second even more imperative reason to complete this film.
I already infused the relationship of the mother and daughter into the project, as that was an explanation for letting go of my youth. This was me growing up and moving away from home. Having the courage to charge forwards, but not forgetting that even if she isn’t with me, she is in my heart.
My mother, and my family have given me all of the skills and assets to arrive to where I am today. Without them, I would be nowhere. Everything I do is in dedication to them. They are always my inspiration, my motivation and my greatest support team.
Having the reincarnation of almost a ghost horse is symbolic of that loving soul, being present in an even stronger being. An emphasis of how we should cherish the animals, the other beings we are gifted with. As they reflect ourselves, our weakness, and our strength. But they can only be powerful if we give them a listening ear. If we become selfless and see them eye to eye.
We all share this planet together, and we must respect one another, even the different species. I think that animals hold a perspective and courage inside of them that is poetic, important and impactful.
The horse is wise, strong and beautiful.
This is an example of the majority of my childhood. The film shows what I value most. It embodies my entire soul, in a sequence of frames.
"A tribute not only to my mother, but the horse that imprinted our lives"
However, this entire concept gained an extra impactful dedication to my mom.
During the making of this film, my mom was making the final decision to put her beloved mare Lobo down. Lobo has been in our family for just under 13 years and has been battling laminitis for the past few years. She was always a challenging horse but my mom never gave up on her despite multiple failures. She loved her nevertheless, and together they learnt to communicate. It took me a while to get to know Lobo as well but as I became more confident in myself and handling horses, I also enjoyed riding her. She became our horse. For the first time in our lives we could go on trail rides together without fear, or worry. We grew as horsewomen working with Lobo and gained a confidence to truly enjoy horses and what they give us. She taught us so much, mostly about ourselves. Lobo impacted our lives for the greater, and she will truly be missed. But now she is free. |
"Now she is free"
|
The moment really struck me when I realized the film I was making was a tribute to not only my mother but the horse that imprinted our lives. Without even planning it, I had created a story that had so much meaning to my family, to me and to society as a whole.
It was here that my goals completely changed.
It was not about the graduation, it was not about the jobs.
This film was to be completed for me, for my family, for Lobo. A memento of hard work to be remembered forever as a piece of my heart in one of the most troubling times.
It was here that my goals completely changed.
It was not about the graduation, it was not about the jobs.
This film was to be completed for me, for my family, for Lobo. A memento of hard work to be remembered forever as a piece of my heart in one of the most troubling times.
And it all wraps together.
This film is me.
This film is dedicated to my Mom and Lobo.
This film is my idea.
I planted it years ago.
And it grew.
This film is me.
This film is dedicated to my Mom and Lobo.
This film is my idea.
I planted it years ago.
And it grew.