5Q's w/Rebecca Maddalo "Evermore" Director

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters?

Evermore follows a grieving woman led by two mysterious figures on a journey through the desert in search of peace.

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

The music video takes you through various stages of grief including loss, the search for answers, and acceptance. I was fortunate enough to have the artist, Harp Samuels, agree to let us bring his song to life in this beautiful way, and as the song is really about loss and pain and seeking as well, I wanted to reflect that visually in a space that is both vast and at times empty while being full of possibilities.

#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.

I received my BA in Filmmaking from Harvard and my MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute. I've been working in film professionally for seven years, and I have been lucky to experience the gamut from documentary to fiction films to music videos. I love getting to work on music videos to bring an idea expressed through song to life on the screen.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

We shot this over 2 days with 7 people in 1 car and it was a blast. I learned that having a small tight knit group with a well thought out plan and a sense of adventure can bring even the wildest of projects to life when the stars align.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

As with most people, covid threw a wrench in my plans. Instead of continuing to travel to direct music videos and to work on getting into the television side of the industry, I had to reevaluate a safe way to participate in my field without putting anyone else at risk. Somehow, I found this through TikTok, where I connected with a group of cosplayers who were all very invested in a particular marauders era Harry Potter fanfic called "All the Young Dudes" by MsKingBean89, and we're now bringing this adaptation to life as a webseries. It is a wonderful project that centers queer representation and diversity, and has allowed me to connect with other artists globally to be a part of bringing this story to the screen. As the world gets safer, I'd like to continue on with directing music videos, film, and working in television, but in the meantime, I have found this very fulfilling path I never would have sought otherwise. As Dumbledore said, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."