Ava’s Impossible Things

By Chris Astrala

 

Since creating her Soul Kiss Films in 2009, writer, director, producer Marina Rice Bader has been on an unstoppable roll. From Elena Undone, Anatomy of A Love Seen to Raven’s Touch and now “Ava’s Impossible Things”, Bader has been (on average) releasing a film a year.

Continuously breaking grounds, she is now the first lesbian filmmaker who’s film (“Ava’s Impossible Things”) was acquired by Vimeo as part of its “Share the Screen” investment in emerging female filmmakers. Share the Screen”, launched at Sundance, is Vimeo’s new initiative they hope will help close the gender gap that is so pervasive in the entertainment industry.

Marina Rice Bader founded Soul Kiss Films, an independent company dedicated to producing evocative, entertaining and compelling movies by women, for women and about women. Her first project out of the gate was to executive produce instant classic Elena Undone, followed by A Perfect Ending two years later.

In 2014 Marina felt driven to go down a more authentic path, writing, directing and starring in Anatomy of a Love Seen, where she created an exciting new model of filmmaking not only during production, but with her creative distribution, earning much publicity.

In keeping with the “do-it-her-way-ethos” Bader is known for, she will give the film its worldwide release as a rental on Vimeo on July 17th, the day after its Outfest screening.

Fans around the world will be able to rent the film on Vimeo on any Internet-capable device for only $5.00 for a 48-hour rental period. Subtitled versions for a number of foreign languages will also be available including Spanish, Portuguese, French and German.

“I love Vimeo’s ‘Everyone is welcome, come be part of our vibrant community, create your vision and share it with the world’ mentality. I’m honored, and can’t wait to share Ava’s journey,” says Bader.

The heart-wrenching tale tells the story of Ava and her mother Faye, bonded by many things…unconditional love, a passion for the arts, a belief that magic exists, and an insidious disease that will one day end both their lives.

“I have always had a love affair with movies, but it wasn’t until my early fifties that I had enough faith in myself to make the leap to actually creating them. I feel I’m just hitting my stride with American Ryder, a female ensemble action film shooting in 2017,” says Bader.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with this trend-setting and innovative artist to get her take on the film industry and what she has in store for the future.

Marina, thank you for taking the time out of what I can only imagine to be a crazy hectic schedule especially with Outfest right around the corner. So let’s get to it.

The Standard Magazine: How does it feel having your film, Ava’s Impossible Things receive the very first Vimeo Share the Screen investment aquisition (Congratulations BTW) and what effect do you think this fund will have on future filmmakers?

Maria Rice Bader: I feel incredibly honored. When I got the news you could have knocked me over with a feather, so it took a minute to sink in. To focus on gender parity in filmmaking is so important for all of us out there with stories to tell, and I know many women are benefitting right now from this hopefully trend-setting initiative. I love Vimeo’s ‘Everyone is welcome, come be part of our vibrant community, create your vision and share it with the world’ mentality. I’m so grateful, and can’t wait to share Ava’s journey on the amazing Vimeo platform.

TSM: Releasing the film on Vimeo the day after it’s premier will certainly get you major exposure, is that the main reason why you chose to do it that way and do you think that this will become the model for future movie releases?

MRB: I love the direct contact this type of release gives me with my audience, and the fact that someone in Argentina or Iceland or France can enjoy it the same day we can here just feels right to me. It’s a great release model for content creators who want their work accessible to everyone, and want complete control over their project. I’m thrilled that Ava’s Impossible Things will be available on Vimeo VOD everywhere in the world that has Internet access on July 17.

TSM: Can you tell us the story behind the story of Ava’s Impossible Things?

MRB:I wanted to create a very personal journey that everyone could relate to revolving around family and love, and the inescapable complications that are part of those two universal themes. The character of Ava was written specifically for Chloe Farnworth, an actress I met while casting Anatomy of a Love Seen. She really stuck with me, so when it came time for a new project I already knew who I wanted in the lead and writing the film sort of started there, with the actress and the themes. I wrote the character of Faye, Ava’s mother, from my own perspective, mirroring what I would do in the situations I created for her. Some moments were really difficult to film, for both Susan Duerden, the phenomenal actress who plays her, and for me. We are both fierce mothers. I love her so much I’m writing a roll for her in the next film.

TSM: What was your impetus for starting Soul Kiss Films?

MRB: My lifelong love affair with movies, and the realization that if I didn’t go after my dream I would always regret it. It made sense to create women’s films and employ women and talk about what I know.

TSM: What is the driving force that motivates you in your career?

MRB: It sounds a bit cliché, but I wake up every day wanting to make a difference. Telling our stories is how I hope to create change in the way our community is experienced through film. Then there’s the fact that I just love it so much. When you begin your career at 53 there’s no letting the grass grow.

TSM: What’s next for Marina Rice Bader?

MRB: I’m in the first stages of American Ryder, a female-driven-action-hero film. It’s a very different genre for me, but I couldn’t be more excited. Love, loss, patriotism, marriage and kids, friends and community…it’s all in this story. Forced into action by a terrorist threat, a traumatized war hero attempts to rescue members of her old unit while protecting her family and country against a new and deadly enemy. I can’t wait to share this amazing character with the world!

Marina Rice Bader is set to world premiere her new feature film, Ava’s Impossible Things, at this year’s Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival. The film will screen on Saturday, July 16 at 4:00pm with Marina and cast in attendance.

If it is the year of the woman, it is also definitely Marina’s time.