Sweet Dreams – Guidance for the next generation of women filmmakers through visual storytelling
Sweet Dreams is a short film exploring how young women who dream of entering the film industry can be empowered through visual storytelling. By showing a realistic picture of the challenges women in the film industry may face, the project also offers guidance on how to overcome them. It aims to inspire and support young women who wish to work in film and create their own stories.
The project also aims to shed light on issues that are often not openly discussed among women. Women behind the camera can be invisible to the wider world, yet their role is just as important as those in front of the camera. This is shown through the use of guardian angels as a shadow show, breaking out of the shadows to literally shed light on this ongoing issue.
PRE-PRODUCTION (O.S)
The process naturally led to conversations with other women about their feelings on this topic, something that had not been experienced before starting this project. In one of these discussions, a thought was shared that stood out:
“Basically, film is
a dream realized.”
This idea captured the meaning of the work, as throughout the project personal experiences, emotions, and conversations were translated into something visible and shared through film. What once existed only internally could take shape visually and be shared with others.
NARRATION (V.O.)
It is about a sleepless night, when anxious thoughts keep you awake and journaling is used as a way to let go of them.
THE JOURNALING GIRL
I’ve always dreamed of creating films one day…
How could I even get there
as a girl like me?
NARRATION (V.O.)
As she searches for answers to these
questions, she falls asleep, and
guardian angels appear in her dream
to offer guidance on her journey.
This advice from the guardian angels
is based on interviews with
experienced women filmmakers already
working in the film industry.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
Nobody tells you
what’s really like
entering the film industry,
as a woman…
But now we’ll
guide you…
On set
Long shooting days can be exhausting
but use them for learning
With your female colleagues,
lift each other up.
You deserve to be there
just like anyone else
So keep on dreaming,
dare to create!
Behind The Scenes
Collective effort was present in the making of the short film Sweet Dreams, where I developed a better understanding of my role within that process. As the filmmaker of this short film, I also performed in it, which helped shape its message from within. This method is called participatory documentary, which can emphasize the actual, lived encounter between filmmaker and subject (Nichols 2001,117). In this way, the filmmaker also acts as a kind of researcher or investigative reporter, combining my own experiences with those of other women filmmakers working in the film industry to create a wider perspective on the topic.
This approach also guided the planning of the installation, recreating the space from the film to form an intimate environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the short film and leave feeling inspired to create their own work.
Watch the full film below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHzMhELv8lk
Cast:
The journaling girl: Lili Hinner
Guardian Angels: Sara Molnar & Letti Keresztes
Crew:
Story & Cinematography & Editing: Lili Hinner
Assistants: Alex Manassero & Boglarka Vagi
Music: Bodza Patak
References
Nichols, Bill. 2001. Introduction to documentary. N.p.: Indiana University Press.
