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Synopsis/ The Story we want to tell
Cloudy
Times tells the story of a daughter who comes face-to-face with one of lifes
most difficult decisions, what to do in regards to her elderly and ill mother;
The daughter has two options; leave behind all her life plans to return to
her mothers side and care
for
her or find a nursing home and face her guilt.
I
am the daughter; the mother is Mirna, my mom.
My mother
has suffered from epilepsy for over thirty years which has derived from
Parkinsons
disease which in turn has produced her a gradual memory loss. I have
taken
care of my mother since I was seven years old when she suffered her first
epilepsy
attack, and I continued to do so throughout my childhood.
In my teenage
years I looked for different ways and tools that would allow me to
detach
from my life with my mother and her illness. Migrating has proven to be
the
most effective.
Nowadays, I live part of the year in
Switzerland and I am trying to build my own family; but now my mothers health
is getting worse. She has lost mobility almost completely,
her
epilepsy attacks are more frequent and her memory is even more fragile.
Now
the time has come to decide and take action, so I prepare my trip back to
Paraguay where I will re-unite with her after 4 years of absence. We will
live together, in the house where at different times we grew up, while we look for
a solution.
Nevertheless,
before making any final decisions, I will invite my mother to see my world; I
will take her to Switzerland, have her meet my life partner, see my
neighborhood,
most of which I have kept from her until now and I will show her Europe, in an
attempt to fulfill an old dream of hers.
Cloudy
Times is a profound personal documentary on a universal theme: the relationship
between adult children and their elderly parents. As a backdrop well see a
portrait of a Paraguayan social class, a glimpse on the treatment the elderly
receive in a country that lacks the will to offer them the appropriate and
needed care.
***
Sinopsis/La historia que queremos contar
El tiempo nublado
relata la historia de una hija que llega a ese momento de su vida, dnde debe
decidir que hacer con respecto a su madre anciana y enferma: volver a su lado a
cuidarla y dejar de lado sus propios proyectos, o internarla en un asilo y
enfrentar la culpa.
La hija soy yo.
La madre es Mirna, mi mam.
Mam sufre de
epilepsia, desde hace ms de 25 aos, la que deriv en sndrome de Parkinson, y
que a su vez ha ido generando la prdida gradual de su memoria.
Yo he cuidado de
ella desde mis 7 aos: cuando sufri su primer ataque epilptico, y contine
hacindolo durante toda mi infancia.
En mi
adolescencia fui buscando y creando herramientas que me permitieran mantenerme
lejos de mi madre y de su enfermedad.
Emigrar ha sido
hasta hoy una de las ms efectivas. Ahora vivo en Suiza he intento formar mi
propia familia.
Pero, el estado
de mam empeora, su capacidad de movimiento se ha reducido, sus ataques de
epilepsia se han hecho ms frecuentes, se vuelve por momentos violenta y su
memoria se ha vuelto ms frgil.
El momento de
decidir y actuar ha llegado. As que preparo mi retorno a Paraguay, dnde me
reencontrar con ella, despus de 4 aos sin verla, y viviremos juntas en la
casa donde ambas, en diferentes tiempos, crecimos. Mientras buscaremos una
solucin.
Sin embargo,
antes de tomar ninguna decisin, la llevar a conocer mi mundo en Suiza: mi pareja, mi casa, mi barrio.
Todo eso de lo cual la he mantenido ajena, y al mismo tiempo le mostrar un
pedacito de Europa, tratando de
cumplirle un viejo sueo.
El tiempo nublado
es un documental sumamente personal sobre un tema universal: las relaciones
entre los hijos adultos con sus padres ancianos. Y tiene como teln de fondo el
retrato de una posicin social, ofreciendo una mirada al trato que reciben las
personas ancianas en una sociedad que carece de voluntad para darles un entorno
apropiado.
About
the Director of this documentary
Arami Ullon was born in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Arami, resides now in Basel, Switzerland for part of the year and in her home town the remaining time. She was awarded a scholarship at the Boston Film and Video Foundation, where she studied filmmaking (US 2001-2002); her experience in production includes: music videos, TV programs and commercials mainly for Paraguayan and European production houses.
She also worked in feature films such as El toque del Oboe (Paraguay-Brazil, 1997), MiamiVice(US, 2006) 18 cigarrillos y medio(Paraguay-Mexico-Spain, 2011) which recently had its World Premiere at the Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (BAFICI), and is currently being in competition at the Festival Internacional del Cinema de Sao Paulo.
As a director she has done independent short films like: Ausencia de un nombre propio(Paraguay, 1998), and Bekon(Paraguay, 2000).
Currently, after producing for Palma Pictures (Spain) she is working on her first cinema documentary, El Tiempo Nublado (Cloudy Times) that tells the story of an adult daughter and her sick and elderly mother and their complex relationship. This documentary has received the IBERDOC 2011 award.
***
Sobre la directora de este documental
Aram Ulln naci en Asuncin, Paraguay en el ao 1978.
Reside parte del ao en Asuncin y realiza producciones parte del ao en Suiza y Espaa. Realiz sus estudios cinematogrficos por medio de una beca completa en el BFVF - Boston Film and Fideo Foundation (USA-2001/2002) Su experiencia en produccin incluye videos musicales, anuncios, reportajes y programas de TV (Ej: Via Libre 1994/95, Lory Club 1999/2000) para casas productoras paraguayas e internacionales, cortometrajes independientes como Ausencia de un nombre propio (Aram Ulln -Paraguay-1998), Beckon (Aram Ulln -Paraguay 2000), largometrajes internacionales como El toque del Oboe (Claudio McDowell-Paraguay-Brasil, 1997), Miami Vice (Michael Mann-USA-2006), 18 cigarrillos y medio (Marcelo Tolces -Espaa -Mxico-Paraguay, 2011) recientemente estrenado en el Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente (Bafici) , el cual prepara su estreno oficial en Paraguay para setiembre de 2011.
Actualmente, luego de producir para Palma Pictures (Espaa) se encuentra realizando su Opera Prima documental El tiempo nublado que relata la relacin de una hija adulta con su madre anciana y enferma. Este documental ha recibido el premio IBERDOC 2011.
Why
this project?
Through this story, I intend to show a portrait on a specific social class in Paraguay, the middle low class. I would like to expose through this personal drama, the flaws of a country which has no public policy for its citizens: retirement options, medical attention at no cost or at least for an affordable amount specially for neurological and psyquiatric patients. It is a country that has not taken the necessary measurements to take care of its elderly. Taking my mother to Switzerland it is not an option for us, since neither her nor I are citizens and therefore we cannot access social services that will cover her treatment.
This is not just a government problem, it is also part of Paraguays society, who often assumes , that the reality in which we live is something beyond our reach or control , that we have no decision power, or action or change to inflict upon. We assume this desertion state as something normal it is after all what we are used to, we have never known different- As a result and a survival necessity we have developed dependent relationships both in our families as in our communities. A large portion of Paraguay assumes that maternity and paternity are means to a reasonable aging: We will have children so we wont be alone and so that they can take care of us when we are old. Even though this has often been the norm for years, it cannot sustain itself any longer in todays world. We need to be able to stand strong against societys current and be able to fulfill our abilities of having a job and a professional career, financial independence as well as the possibility of creating a family; being self-sufficient and looking for our own happiness.
I also touch on the subject of memory and the impact it has in creating ourselves as individuals and the consequences of its loss, as well as, the importance of individual independence as a pillar in creating a fulfilled person in relation to others. A key element in this project is the relationship between parents and children and how they marked us from the beginning and the responsibilities inherent in them.
This documentary will expose to society and through my character (me in real life) I will attempt to challenge the viewer to question or even rethink the relationship between adult children and elderly parents.
The time coincides between the need to place my mother in a nursing home and the historical and social time Paraguay is currently living. This setting makes the ideal time for this documentary to be done, the reality of hundreds of Paraguayans told through a personal story.
***
Por que este proyecto?
Tengo la intencin de retratar, a travs de la historia con mi madre, un segmento de la sociedad paraguaya: la clase media-baja. Quiero exponer por medio de este drama personal, las falencias de un pas que no dispone de polticas pblicas que aseguren a sus ciudadanos una jubilacin, atencin mdica especializada y gratuita, o cuanto menos, de fcil acceso, a los enfermos neurolgicos y psiquitricos. Un pas que an no se ha preocupado por cuidar de sus habitantes de la tercera edad. Llevar a mi madre a Suiza no es una opcin, ya que al no ser ella, ni yo, de nacionalidad suiza, los seguros sociales no cubriran su cuidado.
ste no es solo un problema del estado, sino tambin un aspecto de la sociedad paraguaya, que asume, muchas veces, la realidad que vivimos como algo que no nos concierne, como algo inalcanzable sobre lo cual no tenemos poder de decisin, ni de accin, ni de cambio.
Asumimos esta situacin de desamparo como algo normal: es a lo que estamos acostumbrados, despus de todo, nunca hemos vivido diferente.
Como reaccin, y necesario mecanismo de supervivencia, esto nos ha llevado a desarrollar tendencias familiares y comunitarias dependientes. En una gran parte de la sociedad paraguaya se asumen la maternidad y la paternidad como un elemento de previsin para la vejez: Tendremos hijos para no estar solos, para que nos cuiden cuando seamos viejos, y si bien esto ha sido casi la norma histrica, no puede seguir funcionando en el mundo de hoy, donde debemos ser capaces de no sucumbir ante las exigencias de la sociedad actual, construir una carrera profesional, obtener independencia econmica, constituir, tal vez, una familia, buscar nuestra propia felicidad y autonoma.
Adems, trato, entre otros, el tema de la memoria, como elemento de construccin del individuo, y de lo que de su prdida resulta: la deformacin de la persona libre. El tema de la independencia individual como pilar fundamental para la realizacin del individuo en s mismo.
El tema de las relaciones entre madres/padres e hijos/hijas, de cmo nos marca su desarrollo y las responsabilidades que esto conlleva.
Este documental me expondr, a m, ante la sociedad, y por medio de mi personaje, (yo en la vida real), intentar que los espectadores logren cuestionarse, y de ser necesario, reflexionar las relaciones entre los hijos adultos y los padres ancianos.
Los tiempos coincidentes de la necesidad de trasladar ahora a mi madre a un asilo y el tiempo histrico que vive Paraguay, hace que este sea el momento adecuado de realizar este documental: La realidad de cientos de paraguayos contada a travs de una historia personal.
What
We Need
We need to complete the funding that we have already raised.
We have achieved a co-production with Swissdok (Switzerland). The mentioned company will cover the shooting expenses within Switzerland.
On the other hand, we have been awarded with the FONDEC found (Fondos de Desarrollo de Cultura de Paraguay) with this award we cover the expenses within Paraguay.
Now we need to cover some expenses that are not covered by the paraguayan fund nor by the swiss production company. These items are travels and per diems.
In order to achieve the desired dramaturgy, we need to make the mother (Mirna, my mother) go to Switzerland and for the first time in her life, give her the change to enter in her daughter's world (my world), and at the same time the chance to make a trip with her daughter, maybe the last trip of her life.
With 4,900 we cover 2 return tickets and travel expenses for mother and daughter and per diems during shooting days. Due to her condition, she cannot travel in Economy Class.
If we do not reach our goal, we will still use the collected money to pay per diems and at least part of the flights.
Our production team is fundraising very enthusiastically.
We have also applied for the COSUDE fund and has been successfully awarded with 4,000 dls.
We will also apply to the Tribeca Fund in october 2011.
There is no way this project will be stopped or cancelled as it is a
very personal history that is important for us (my mother and I) to achieve. We
also have the commitment to realize this project not only to ourselves but also
with the institutions supporting us. We guarantee the production and
finalization of this project and its broadcast.
***
Lo que necesitamos
es completar los fondos que ya hemos recaudado hasta ahora.
What you get / Lo que recibes!
As a Firefly!
from 3 to 10$: Credit as "Collaborator" in final Roller
Categora Luciernaga!
De 3 a 10$: Credito como "Colaborador" en creditos finales
As a
Butterfly!
from 11 to 20$: A homemade (with love) DVD copy. Credit as "Collaborator" in final roller.
Categora Mariposa!
De 11 a 20$: Un copia en DVD "hecha en casa" con amor. Credito como "Colaborador"
As a
Colibri!
from 21 to 50$: 1 DVD copy. Credit as "Collaborator" in final roller as well as in FULL CREW on official web site and blog. A link of your company/project on our blog and official web site.
Categora Colibr!
De 21 a 50$: 1 copia de DVD. Credito como "Colaborador" en creditos finales y en FULL CREW en la pagina web y el blog. Tu link en nuestro blog.
As a
Owl!
from 51 to 100$: 2 DVD copies for personal, company or community use. Credit as "Collaborator" in final Roller credits as well as in FULL CREW on official web site and blog.
A link of your company/project on our blog and official web site.
A full collection of limited edition of post cards of Paraguay by designer Patrick Oser (www.familieformer.ch)
Categora Buho!
De 51 a 100$: 2 copias del DVD. Credito como "Colaborador" en creditos finales y en FULL CREW en la web y blog. Tu Link en nuestro blog. Una coleccion de edicion limitada de postales de Paraguay del diseador Patrick Oser.
As a Peacock!
101$ and Up : 3 DVD copies for personal, community or company use. Credit as "Associate Producer " in opening credits as well as in KEY CREW on official web site and blog.
A link of your company/project on our blog and official web site.
A full collection of limited edition of post cards of Paraguay by designer Patrick Oser (www.familieformer.ch)
AND an organic cotton T-shirt or a Dress (by choice) by designer Patrick Oser (www.familieformer.ch)
Categora Pavo Real!
De 101 a mas! 3 copias de DVD. Credito como "Productor Asociado"en creditos iniciales. Tu Link en nuestro blog. Coleccion de postales edicion limitada de Paraguay de Patrick Oser y una camiseta de algodon organico!
Other
Ways You Can Help
If for some reason you cannot contribute with money, please help us spread the word about this project.
Let's "Do It With Others!" Please do not forget to use the share tools, the social medias and your email contacts! Together we can do it!
Otras maneras de ayudar!
Si por alguna razn no puedes contribuir con dinero, por favor ayudanos a correr la voz y a dar a conocer este proyecto entre tu red de amigos, colegas, familiares, etc!
Recuerda las redes sociales y tus contactos via email! Gracias!
Team on This Campaign:
-
Arami UllonDirector / Producer
-
Patricia MaseraLine Producer
-
Adriana-Hormiga ChacónCollaborator
-
luciernagafuriosaproLine Producer / Switzerland
-
Patrick Oserart team
-
Fabian Espinosacollaborator