Uncontrollable circumstances can quickly derail life’s trajectory. It was through the contemplation of an abandoned child forced to piece together the shards of his existence, I became emboldened to explore how, when tragedy strikes, one’s strengths can aid in avoiding peril. Grief and spite can be paralyzing forces in the aftermath of trauma and loss, clouding judgements and preventing any chance of hope, compassion, or forgiveness. Our ensemble cast got to stretch their proverbial wings on this film, embodying troubled souls inside fractured families all struggling to persevere through the darkest of times. When we decide to make the best of what’s in front of us, with the people closest to us, we can begin to heal.
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TERRE WEISMAN
INSPIRATION
This script came out of my unrealized dream of being as gifted a musician as Max Dagan. Through that exploration, I became intrigued not only at the idea of how your talent can better your circumstances, but how it can truly save you. Subconsciously, I wrote a little piece of myself in Max beyond the music, albeit a more exaggerated version for the screen. My brother and I were raised by a single father and our maternal grandmother until our early teens. Street smarts, independence, and maturity were all inspirational parallels, as well.
WRITING AND DIRECTING
The balance of writing and directing was actually quite liberating. Being the writer/director of my first two films gave me the confidence to write Max Dagan as my third directorial effort. The story was an opportunity for me to grow in each role while retaining ownership of my vision during all phases of production. The balance was also evident when collaborating with the actors, helping them find ownership of their character’s motivations and dialogue. Having that freedom was a real gift through the entire process which, I believe, serviced the film well.
