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Full-length social drama “Here and Now” (Israel).

Project-Epoch! The development of which introduced me to very interesting people, was divided into significant dates and was deposited in a separate bag of memory, from where it will never disappear. Covering a very important period in my professional development, this Project patiently survived the main stages of the evolution of my methodology and finally convinced me of the influence of the Screenwriter on the final result of the film. There are no processes in Filmmaking that do not depend on the quality of the script!

Alexander Plavnik and Roman Shumunov are graduates of the film department of the Israeli Academic College. By the time we met, the guys had already opened a video studio and were actively working on music videos, advertising and social videos. And they were brought together with me by the dream of a full-length feature film (which I still consider incredible luck). It was this project that made me believe in myself and launched my personal ERA OF FULL-LENGTH FILMS.

   

The script was written exactly according to my method, remotely, by calling via Skype. In general, work on the script lasted a month (at that time the set of tools in my arsenal was much more modest).

The guys submitted the finished script to the State Funding competition from the Israel Cinema Fund. And while I was talking about the fact that in the CIS a social drama protesting against the current system would not even be allowed onto the thresholds of the Foundations, Roma and Sasha informed me that our script won a place among the finalists and received a grant for filming!

It would seem that at this point my role in the project was already completed. But, thanks to Sasha and Roma, I had the pleasure of tracking all the moments associated with the filming of the film and even got access to the footage from them.

I look through the rough cut and send a list of suggestions for edits, realizing that they may not even read it (editing is always an expression of the director’s author’s “I”). What a delight I was when, after a while, a message came from Roma: “Maria, we made a cut - look!” I turn on the video and dance with happiness. They listened to me!

I, a mortal Film Screenwriter, was allowed into the “holy of holies”, to the film editing!!!

Together we went through five stages of adjustments: I sent lists with suggestions for changes, and Roma and Sasha tried on these changes to the film and their worldviews, and selectively included them in the editing. Until we came to the final result. I will never tire of thanking them for their trust. It was nice to know that my edits were expected and my opinion was taken into account.

The experience of working on editing once again convinced me, firstly, of the importance of high-quality production planning at the script stage, and secondly, of the predictability of everything that directors face when working on a film story. That is, even at the stage of developing the script, you can and should think about HOW the film will be shot and stitched together, and make the work of the directors as easy as possible. And the Screenwriter (if he considers himself such) has no right to abstract himself from further work on the film. Even without trying to get on the set, it is simply necessary to delve into the specifics of all film professions. To speak the same language with directors.

During the first closed screening of the film “Here and Now” in Israel, I was worried like a schoolgirl. Knowing our story from the footage, I mentally replayed it on the big screen and eagerly awaited messages about how it all went. I read reviews on Facebook, understood that every word was well-deserved, and was proud that I had a direct connection to this film. Due to numerous requests, Sasha and Roma held two more closed screenings. And everyone was successful. A mature story of the Hollywood format, for which my screenwriting soul and conscience are absolutely at peace!

I remember each of the Partners by some personal characteristics. Sasha and Roma for me are: the rustling (sometimes deafening) of chocolate and snack packages in Skype microphones, caring wives in the background (lasagna with three types of meat is not prepared for everyone, such a dinner still needs to be earned ;))), incredible love for Israel (despite the imperfections of some systems), spontaneous sessions via Skype in the suddenly formed window of rather busy schedules (sometimes they even called while driving) and an uncontrollable desire for virtuosity in the craft of directing.

June 2018 – The full-length feature film “Here and Now” was released. First - festival life, and then rental. Immense thanks to directors Alexander Plavnik and Roman Shumunov for their trust and cooperation!! I will never tire of repeating how important our film is to me!! I am proud to be part of such a wonderful team and keep my fingers crossed for the fate of this project!!

Full-length social drama “Here and Now”, in one paragraph:

“Having returned to their historical homeland with their families, an entire segment of young repatriates finds themselves trapped in loans and social benefits of “caring”, “socially stable” Israel. Doomed to work off their mortgage all their lives in blue-collar jobs, they don’t even have the slightest opportunity to realize their creative potential: any break in work affects the budget of the whole family, and attempts to earn money using skills are thwarted due to lack of education. As if marked with a bar code as “disadvantaged,” talented guys cannot even escape beyond the boundaries of their residential areas, they endure constant nagging from the police and try to attract attention with the inscriptions “No future!” on bridges and facades of city administrations. The main character, Andrey (26 years old), finds himself in a whole series of problems associated with his father’s inability to work due to illness: a growing mortgage debt entails the risk of losing his apartment; The younger sister's poor performance at school attracts the attention of Social Services. A sudden invitation to participate in a music festival, which Andrei and his rapper friends have dreamed of for so long, inspires and depresses at the same time. They have too little time to prepare and a ton of personal problems. Balancing between crime and dreams, Andrei tries to stay afloat and protect his family.”

Website of the film “Here and Now”: www.hereandnowmovie.com