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Film Info

Spain 2019 | 22 min. Director: Irene Moray
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Project / Host

European Film Awards

Watermelon Juice

Synopsis

Barbara and Pol spend a few days on holiday with a group of friends in a house surrounded by nature. They want to have a good time and find a peaceful space where they can enjoy their intimacy.

With the support of Pol, in the midst of nature, between tears and laughter, Barbara will heal old wounds and redefine her sexuality.

Cast & Crew

Director's comment

My aim with this film was to explain an honest love story and present a female character who is capable of overcoming an episode of sexual abuse. Nowadays and especially in my country, Spain, rape is still a very common situation and a huge taboo. When people talk about this reality the focus is always on the trauma instead of in the chance of healing.
The innovation of this film is not only in the theme, but in the point of view from which it is explained. We travel with a couple for a weekend to observe the chances of learning and renewal that can result from this experience. With love, trust and compassion, they both will redefine their sexuality and help her to reconnect with her body.
For me, it is particularly important to present a healthy relationship model, avoiding the toxic clichés that we usually find on the screen. That’s why the female protagonist, far from being a victim, is a strong, assertive and fun person, and also that’s why I draw a sensitive male co-protagonist with enough emotional intelligence to accompany her in this complex process.
I based my work with the actors in guided meditations that I made up for them, in order to bring them into a state of real connection and vulnerability. We also used tantra exercices to help them connect with each other at a deeper level and create a strong bond of trust.
The film crew was strongly led by women and everyone helped to create a safe environment on set for the protagonists to be comfortable, which was key for the outcome of the piece.
It is very important to me to explain this story and spread it around the world. My wish is to create an alternative narrative for this usually painful experience, one that can bring light and hope.

Biography

Irene Moray (1992) is a photographer and filmmaker from Barcelona. In 2012 she moved to Berlin and for three years she collaborated with the performance collective the--family with which she performed in various cultural entities throughout Europe such as the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo or the Chisenhale Gallery in London. During her stay in Berlin she directed her first fiction short film: BAD LESBIAN.

After four years in Germany she decided to return to her hometown where she shot her next short film as a writer and director: WATERMELON JUICE. She works as a photographer for different agencies, producers and publications such as i-D, Dream Magazine, S.C.P.F., Distinto Films or Erika Lust.

Filmography:
2018 - BAD LESBIAN, short
2019 - WATERMELON JUICE, short

interview

How long did it take to make your short? Was it difficult to get financing?
It took about a year and a half to make the film. I spent about a year slowly working on the script, rehearsing with actors, thinking, planning... and then we shot it and spent some months for the post-production. It was surprisingly easy to get financing. When Distinto Films read the first version of the script they decided to produce the film. We were lucky to have enough budget to pay the crew and have the camera and locations that I wanted.

Which thoughts come to mind concerning a “European cinema community”?
It makes me think about my experience in film festivals, meeting other directors and programmers from different countries. I really feel there is a community, in which we all love films and are happy for each other's success and achievements.

If you owned a theatre for one night, which films would you screen?
I think I'd try to screen films from local artists with less resources, to give them more visibility.

What is your next project?
I'm currently working in the script of my first feature film. I'm excited! Meanwhile I'm working on photography projects and music videos too.

Cast & Crew

Irene Moray
 Miriam Porté
 Irene Moray
 Irene Moray
 Elena Martín (Barbara), Max Grosse Majench (Pol)
 Ana Pfaff
 Xavi Saucedo
 Nico Roig
 Marina Pérez
 Rafael Galdó
 Helena Contreras
 María Liaño
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