I’m currently working on a worldwide collaborative feature, entitled ‘The Lost Backpack’, which is one part of 23 segments from around the world that are shooting over this summer to make a truly global film. All the directors are award winning short film makers. www.collabfeature.com
THIS FILM WILL SCREEN IN AT LEAST 16 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
It’s a no-budget film, treading the water for a funded collaborative film to shoot next year.
My shoot dates are late June/early July in Dublin.
THIS IS A FILM WITH HEART.
My segment revolves around two young boys whose father has just left the family home, leaving their mother in a depressed and emotional state. The boys try desperately to make her better – it’s a bittersweet comedy drama full of love, cake and humour
THE OVERALL PREMISE
We follow a character around the world—but it is a man we never actually see. Instead, we are always trailing just behind his journey, meeting people that he has recently encountered, learning about him as we go.
We move from segment to segment, each one by a different director, each one offering a different aesthetic and interpretation.
A central object belonging to our unseen character—his lost backpack—passes from hand to hand, from country to country, tying the scenes together. Each filmmaker will have the freedom to explore his or her own creative instincts inside a simple framework. The film will be filled with personal and cultural variety, yet will be grounded by a central thread.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
I’ve made a lot of things, mainly unfunded, some funded. But I want to do this justice. I want to be able to hire the lighting equipment I need, get the costumes I need, the locations I need, and, for a change, make something the way I really want it to be made.
My life philosophy is to make Films with Heart – I want to touch people and either make them laugh or cry, but especially to make them remember. I have a chance to make a part of a film which I think could get good worldwide publicity and could open up a lot of doors for those involved – if we manage to make it right.
I aim to shoot this at the end of June/start of July.
FUNDING:
I need to raise €2000 to shoot this the way I want to – in terms of lights, locations, costumes, props.
THE PERKS:
I can arrange an invite to the Irish Premiere, a copy on DVD of the segment and a thank you in the credits. If based in Ireland then a walk-by part can be arranged.
If you own a business I can create a short web-promo stating your involvement using clips from the film – it can be placed on your site – showing how you promote the arts.
ABOUT ME:
I’m a father, a filmmaker, a lover of the arts, a positive and forward thinking person. The world is opening up to new ways of making movies. Maybe these will be more honest and heartfelt. We can only dream.
It’s as simple as this. I need your generosity to make a film that will touch people. The film will be good – I’ve worked in different guises in the film industry for the last 13 years, so I know what I’m doing.
I need people to get involved. I’ll be keeping regular updates on this site and on www.wix.com/mairtindebarra/heartshaped and www.filmwithheart.blogspot.com
I’ll keep you up to date on casting, locations, crew, issues, delights, stills.
Bring a piece of this film with you.
www.smilingsadly.com
