5Q's w/Anthony Newen "Farming Slowly" Director
#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters?
This film shows a passionate young Vietnamese-American woman farmer who rejects the industrial mono-crop way of growing food, and focuses on traditional and natural ways. Her philosophy that we should slow down, build a community around our food, and do it organically can help us live a happier, healthier, and more engaged life.
#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?
Industrial farming is a huge production that is based on efficiency and productivity. Streamlining the process turns a better profit. But there has been a rise in local farms where farmers and consumers alike want to take care of the earth and not take our limited resources in excess. This documentary offers a kinder and natural approach to farming.
#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.
This will be my 2nd year at BSFF. I made a feature length film at the age of 18 to be my "film school." I then moved to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. During my 9 years in Los Angeles, I have made many short films, two web series, and a TV pilot.
#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?
The biggest lesson I learned making this film is to be fluid and able to improvise your schedule or your final video. Documentaries especially thrive on finding the story as you get deeper into the process of making it. So you have to be flexible and welcome the unexpected.
#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?
We are winding down the end of our festival run, and it has been a great one. We've played in many states and I've met some amazing filmmakers along the way. I'm so glad to have this film shown at BSFF as I've praised this festival to any filmmaker I talk to. I just want to continue to make more films and challenge myself in trying different filmmaking techniques, or tell different stories, or even try new mediums of storytelling like writing and gaming.
