Staff Pick Award for Palm Springs ShortFest 2022: "Meantime" by Michael T Workman |
HTML0 I'm tired of waiting.
Aren't you,
Aid people all over the world to become better
Beautiful and sweet?
Take the knife
HTML0 The universe is divided into two
Learn about what worms are eating
Around the edges.
Langston Hughes "Good Morning, Revolution Uncollected Societal Protest Writings
Winner of the Staff Pick Award at Palm Springs Shortfest 2022 will be "Meantime" by Michael T Workman. Michael put up a camera inside the family home of his father in order to produce a "deeply personal examination of memory , labor, guilt and the attempt to keep things in order." That's how the statement of the documentary is composed. The appeal of this film is the fact that it does not really examine the vague nature of human emotion. "Meantime" offers a perspective at the root causes of all the problems that plague the United States: capitalism, unjust labor conditions, insufficient assistance for people suffering with mental illness and the fact that the American idea of "pull yourself by using your bootstraps" is an physically impossible undertaking. The film outlines the many ways in which the United States fails to fully give its citizens the best of their lives from birth until death. The words of Michael precisely says during the Q&A "
"It might not be obvious yet, but I'm certain that the topic of this film is the horridity of capitalism. ...My father has been a subject to a system that views humans as "human resources" an approach that views human beings the same way as a "human resources" and treats them as if they don't fall within the scope of the strict rules of labor exploitation. "
The filmmaking style is just as brutal as the harsh Montana winter that it takes place in, "Meantime" is a movie about broken hearts who nevertheless became caring and compassionate people.
We had the chance to ask Michael several questions regarding the process behind creating this unique photograph of our family. We were stunned by his kind and thoughtful reply. Look over the excerpts below of our conversation with Michael.
Inspiring:
"The idea of a documentary was born when I assisted my father in filming family video. As I looked through them, I was struck with these profound memories from some of the small moments that my dad captured. The most memorable moments were not during the celebrations of birthdays, holidays, or weddings that were important. Most memorable were those where my family was waiting in anticipation of something important to happen and then laughing, talking or fighting. It was the moments I was able to see my family members from different stages through their journeys. My perception of their lives became clearer. It's always been my goal to avoid creating films solely for my own enjoyment, but reviewing this footage and returning to Montana was what drove me to desire to create this movie. . "
His tips on filming family:
"Working with relatives is difficult. Determining when to shut down recording and leave the camera alone was the biggest challenge. At the end afternoon, my father and me had stopped taking pictures. It's not difficult to sneak behind my camera. A suggestion I'd like to offer those who work with youngsters is to consider the date and time of the event you plan to record and then use it as a way to limit the time you film. Do not film continuously as well as don't get distracted by what's happening. You must consider what you would like to record and let your camera roll. When you've finished, the task is completed. It's possible to miss some details and that's okay. It's crucial to set up an atmosphere in which whatever you record is more likely to be meaningful and engaging. Turn off your camera, and then get back to your daily routine . "
The reaction of his family members to the film
"My family has watched the movie. I played it for my mother when I finished the film, and it was one of the most emotionally charged viewing experiences I've had. Since the film was personally to me it was difficult for me to endure periods where I felt totally unresponsive to it and also moments of profound feelings. When I watched the film with my mom, tiny small details of the film caused me to be tearing up without rest. This just shows how much the setting you're watching the film in will greatly affect your experience of the film. This experience proved to be healing for both of us as she developed an comprehension of my father's view that she was unable to see as a child.
My greatest fear came when I showed the film to my dad. The plan was to enjoy the film with him However, it was not the most ideal timing, so he decided to go watch it independently. I was shocked when I received a phone call to tell me that he had went to his home and watched the film, my heart was broken. I received a message that read"I'm sorry" or "Mike I've seen your movie , which is fantastic, and I'm likely to never watch the same film again." The main cause of his anxiety was not his vulnerability, as was implied, rather it was his experience seeing him appear on screen, and listening to his voice. This made him feel uncomfortable (for me too). ). "
On challenges faced:
"The most difficult part of creating the film was to make space between myself as a filmmaker and the work. I believe this to be the main challenge with the personal project, and this is where it's the hardest to master. Films that are personal tend to be extremely emotional for the people who made them however not necessarily for the viewer. I attempted to stay away from the subject and disengage my self from the movie by looking at it through the eyes of someone who is not familiar with my private life. As the director I was constantly faced with this issue. I was able to resolve this issue by enlisting the assistance from a number of trusted individuals around me, who gave my constructive criticism. . "
We should to consider while watching this movie
"It might not be obvious however, I'm convinced that the focus of this document is the brutality and cruelty of capitalism. In the end, it is the most important reason for my father's struggles to live an enjoyable and secure life. Although abuse could be a cause, the failure to heal from the trauma is an society-wide failure and not an personal loss. My father's family members are part of an ideology which regards the human in terms of "human resources" which is an ideology that dehumanizes those who don't conform to the strict rules that profit from human labor.
Capitalism gives working class people the choice of working or work on the streets. While this is never explicitly mentioned in the film, it's an underlying theme of the story. If the people who were who were in the same position as my dad's, they would be capable of accessing top-quality mental and physical healthcare in addition to housing and food without having justification for their human rights by working in a miserable environment and living in awful conditions, they would have the opportunity to lead tranquil and secure lives the hope of healing the trauma they experienced.
The most important information on the title card that begins the film the stroke that my father suffered due to the stress of working due to the fact that the business wanted to make the most profit through the lack of employees at the hospital where the facility was located. I realized that this had been an ongoing issue for him when I began making the film as I realized the strain of work, in conjunction with the pressure of taking care of the newborn baby may have contributed to the mental health issues that my father was suffering from since my childhood.
Also, I hope the film encourages people to value their time spent with family and friends and talk about the impact of hardship and trauma by embracing compassion and an unprejudiced way. In the end, the core of this movie lies in caring for our parents through being aware of them as human beings and valuing the precious amount of time they have . "
Michael's advice for filmmakers who are aspiring:
"I always instruct my students to fight hard and stoically to sustain their enthusiasm in making films. Each step that the media industry takes will try to push you into the monotony of working, and make you who's equipment. They'll seek to take the pleasure out of you, and make artificially high stakes in order to produce some of the dirtiest media. Anyone who's worked in a big advertising studio knows this. You should do something that makes people happy, even if wage-labor work doesn't. Make sure you continue to create your own films or engaging in creative pursuits that help you to feel more as an artist. If you're looking forward to Sundance and you've forgotten the pleasure of making films. Why do you make these films? ? "
What's next?
"I'm currently making a feature length documentary idea which will comprise an observational document with a character driven narrative set in a mining town in Montana. The project is in the very beginning of development and I'm not able to give any additional specifics at this moment.
I'm conducting research which examines those who hold work that is completely ineffective. If you're working in a situation that's similar to this one, get in touch with me through an email. The company is currently recruiting . "
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