AVE MARIE, 13min,. New Zealand
Directed by Celestina Louisa Marie Sumby
Set in 1984 suburban Aotearoa New Zealand, Ave Marie is about adopted siblings Marie and Xavier who use dance as a way to escape the day-to-day reality of their mother’s religious rants and the neighbourhood bullies. While tough and unforgiving Xavier insists on putting himself front and centre of every dance routine and fighting the BMX gang for his right to wear lycra, Marie decides she wants to shine too. When their staunchly Catholic mother leaves the kids home alone for another funeral, Marie gets her chance.

https://instagram.com/ave_marie_shortfilm

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The film ‘Ave Marie’ is a small slice of my childhood with the happy ending
that filled our stories but never quite made it into our reality.

I was the first and youngest child in my family, adopted at two weeks. When I was two-years-old my brother Robert was adopted from the Home of Compassion orphanage at the age of six. This film is dedicated to my brother and best friend, partner in dance, dress-ups, neighborhood battles, prayer, and make believe. I was his support act. He was Barbie, I was Ken. With his permission, I’m telling our story.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Around 5-years. I’m a mother of four and until last year I had a full-time job so ‘Ave Marie’ was worked on around everything else. I hadn’t worked in the film industry for a very long time so it was a matter of getting the first draft out, reestablishing old connections and getting lots of feedback from people more experienced than me.

Once I got my screenplay to a good place I was able to find a good Producer, Sabina Wallace and then Executive Producers Francesca Carney and Thomas Coppell and that was a journey in and of itself. We then started to find our crew while at the same time receiving funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Survival comedy

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Even though we were incredibly lucky to receive funding from the New Zealand Film Commission it wasn’t enough to make a short film so we had to raise the rest of the funds. Having people work virtually for free means you have to work on their time schedule so I had to learn the art of patience, which I’m still learning. We were also hit by COVID, which delayed pre-production and the shoot, which was challenging. Plus we had our DOP drop out nine days before filming. We were lucky to have experienced DOP Chris Matthews step in at the last minute. That’s filmmaking and all part of the process.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our audience was delighted by ‘Ave Marie’, which was lovely.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I was and still am obsessed with stories. They were a large part of my
upbringing and helped me navigate a challenging childhood. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to tell stories. I wrote from a very young age and my desk drawer is overflowing. I wanted to make films from primary school and made my first short film at eleven-years, a comedy-horror using the school’s video camera. There have been big gaps in my journey but I feel like I’m finally in a place where I have enough confidence to shed some light on these stories.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The movie we watch together as a family every few years is ‘Napoleon
Dynamite’. This film is our favorite family flick. My personal favorite film is
‘Orlando’ based on the novel by Virginia Woolf.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think the LGBT+ Toronto Film Festival has done a great job of promoting ‘Ave Marie’. You’ve offered in-person and online screenings, a blog, podcast and an offer to further connect filmmakers. I think the more focus you’re able to put into this festival the more you’ll be able to grow.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Filmfreeway has been very good and easy to use. My only criticism is that it’s very costly to enter into so many festivals and as a first-timer it’s been a huge learning curve.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I think any meal with friends and family on a summer’s night, under the stars.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I’ve been funded through the New Zealand Writers Guild to write a feature
film. ‘Blessed are the Sinners’, is a dark comedy set in 1986 about a Catholic mother and out-of-work actress who lies to save the reputation and soul’s of her family, and meet the Pope at any cost, taking her adopted children and devoted husband on a journey into hell.

Submit to the Toronto LGBTQ+ Film Festival: