A few weeks ago, I found myself in a screening room in Hollywood, sitting in a seat behind Werner Herzog. We were both there to see a film he executive produced that deals with memory, tragedy, and connection. The movie is called Reeling, and it just had its world premiere at SXSW in Austin. It was directed by Yana Alliata. It tells the story of Ryan, a physically and emotionally scarred guy who lost some of his memory in an accident just outside his family's home in Hawaii. He's now back for someone else's funeral, and everyone is treating him like the guy who died. What struck me about the film was how mature and empathetic it was toward everyone on screen. There are no villains or heroes in this movie; it is just one family trying to move on but not forget. No one is quite sure how to handle the situation, and in those awkward pauses and conversations, we see this movie glow. 'Reeling'CREDIT: SXSW Film FestivalThis is underscored by some of the best cinematography I've seen in an indie movie, and the Hawaiian backdrop serves as another character in the film. I was so excited to sit down with Yana Alliata, to hear about her process of getting this story to the screen. And to hear that after being celebrated for her debut film at SXSW, Alliata is raising financing for her next project - a haunting thriller at an idyllic Hawaiian wedding.Let's dive into our interview...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Monday, 17 March