Canadian actress Katie Boland (Brief Breasts) & Sarah Gadon in Lolz-Ita (2017) [Short Film]

[ Original Link: https://vimeo.com/287704581 ]

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INTERVIEW WITH KATIE BOLAND – DIRECTOR OF ‘LOLZ-ITA’

DIRECTOR’S BIO: Katie Boland is an award-winning actress, writer and director. She has appeared in over seventy films and currently has three television series she created in development. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Toronto. Lolzita is her directorial debut.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR FILM?

I was inspired by young, very creative women online (instagram and tumblr) who used themselves and their bodies as their brand. I was curious about this kind of feminism where to be sexualized on your own terms seemed empowering, but I also would see the comments under the pictures and realized these young women were also victims of their sexuality. My character in Lolz-Ita is conflicted: she’s empowered by her sexuality online while not being particularly empowered in real life.

WHAT WERE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES YOU FACED DURING THE FILM?

Directing and starring was hard. To be in a scene and simultaneously have to act and then also try and judge if everything else was working, like the camera etc was a challenge for sure. I also felt the scenes that were more sexual in nature were a challenge because it was hard to feel I was being taken seriously in a blonde wig and pasties.

WHAT APPEAL DO YOU THINK YOUR FILM WILL HAVE FOR AUDIENCES

I hope that young women see a version of their complicated identity in my character. I hope people think about how we live in two realities now, who we present ourselves to be online and who we really are and how both personas can be quite valuable and nuanced. Also, the costume designer Avery Plewes did an amazing job so I think it’s a fun movie visually as well.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A CREATOR?

I was tired of just being an actress. I felt I had a lot more to say. I wanted some control over my life. Honestly, I think it just fits my personality. I like having creative control. I think it was a natural progression.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?

I have three television series in development that I have created. I am working on my first feature film that I will write and direct. I plan to make another short in the new year. I have four films coming out this year that I acted in and I am doing post on a webseries that Megan Park and I wrote, directed and created called We’re Adults Now.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING FILMMAKERS?

Never give up. If you can do anything else that would make you happy, do that because this industry is only worth it if it’s the only thing that will make you happy. Have a sense of humour. Don’t be afraid to ask people who are smarter and more talented than you for help.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAVOURITE FILMS OF ALL TIME?

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Manhattan and Ed Wood.

IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOUR FILM IN THREE WORDS … WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Provocative, Identity and Pink.

IF YOU COULD RESHOOT ANY FILM MADE IN THE PAST 20 YEARS, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE IT?

I would reshoot Notting Hill and make it a very dark, gritty, naturalistic comedy about an actress who’s have a psychotic break and the depressed British man who tries to save her.

WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS? (AND WHY)

My mother is my mentor. She has helped me so much with all my projects and her faith in me is unwavering. Aside from being an amazing filmmaker she’s just a very inspiring woman. She was the third woman in the world hired by United Press as a photojournalist! Every photo of Terry Fox she took! She’s a queen!