In looking at other films for inspiration, my favorite film recently has been Trois couleurs: Bleu (1993) Written by: Krzysztof Kieslowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz and directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski.
In this film I loved the sense of internal isolation, of being inside the mind of our protagonist. In the beginning of the film there is little dialogue - mostly people are 'talking to' our lead character while she slowly put the pieces together that were her life. In 'The Acorn Penny' I am most excited about showing rather than telling in the strictest of the sense.
'Sweet Sixteen' Directed by Ken Loach, Written by Paul Laverty
To me this film is brilliant. I think what I am responding to so strongly is Ken Loach's use of realism, to include his actors. Probably, this is the missing piece in so many films, the reality of living, that acting is just that. I have never considered myself an elaborate critic but in going to film school I mostly attained production skills and disecting films is new to me in many ways.
Amélie Directed by: Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; Written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet & Guillaume Laurant
When I was living in LA I went and saw this film three times in the theater. I remember leaving the theater reaffirming my utter and total love of french filmmakers. It was a perfect balance of so many themes, storylines, interests, colors...the list goes on and on. As for inspiring 'The Acorn Penny' I hope to bring a sense of hope and the idea that if you try and make things change, you go out on a limb and sacrifice comfort and security that the universe, the world opens in unseen ways to your benefit - whether or not that benefit is an open heart, a new friend, a different view of the world or person, that somehow we grow.
