You don’t start out with the intention of making a bad film. You want to make a film that people will like, that people will appreciate, and that would garner a larger audience.
A while back, I had made a short film about a cheese shop in the heart of New York’s little Italy. One of the last longtime holdouts of that quickly shrinking neighborhood. I interviewed several generations of this family run establishment. Worked hard, and made what I thought was a good film. Ultimately, the film didn’t garner much attention from festivals. I could only get one showing, which was certainly disheartening. I knew how hard I had worked. I felt I had a very strong film. I did my best to ensure it was put together well, and told a unique and personal New York City story. I was worried as well that I had let down the family who were at the center of the story. At the end of the day however it just didn’t seem to find an audience.
Sadly, a few weeks ago, Bob the patriarch of the family passed away, and as requested by the family, I forwarded a link to the film, so it could be screened at the funeral home during the visitation. In the course of this process, I had a chance to look at the film once again. I either had evolved or as time had passed I saw it with clearer eyes as time had passed. I realized that it was not great. My mind was filled with critical thoughts ‘It could have been better here’ or,’ not a good shot there’ or,’tighter in this place’. So it was with some reluctance that I sent along the film.
Through the filming process I had gotten to know Bob and the rest of the family quite well and like them all. There was therefore no question about my going to the visitation . I wanted to pay my respects to a lovely man. Although I was hesitant to be there while the film was being shown. Still this was not about me so my feelings therefore did not count.
While at the funeral home I was not thrilled (As if people are ever thrilled to be at a funeral home.) when I looked over and there was a crowd of people surrounding the screen where the film was being played. I couldn’t help but to cringe and even more so when occasionally people would turn from the screen and look over in my direction. It was even more cringeworthy when there was laughter and chuckles. I avoided the area around the screen as much as I could. Then a surprising thing happened.
After the film had finished people came up to me and much to my surprise told me how much it meant to them and how they hadn’t heard some of these stories before. They talked about what it had meant to see him in his element, vibrant and healthy. Chatting as he always did. The palpable joy he had in reminiscing about the old days in Little Italy.
The film was screened a second time. Some of the same people once again crowded around. This time I looked on as they watched.
I thought about the reaction people had to the story on the drive home. I was touched by what people had said to me. Until then I had not made a film that was so intimate. To be honest that was not what I was trying to do. In doing so I had found not the film festival audiences I had intended but instead for the audience that it needed to have.
The film had found its way to the people that appreciated and needed it the most. It had meant something to the people visiting the funeral home. It had found its audience.