Film-maker Zineb Oukach focuses on a conundrum for one woman during a turbulent time in her life in the short film INTERRUPTION.
Film and TV Now spoke with the film-maker about the short.
The film poses an interesting conundrum at present, given the recent change of law regarding abortion in the context of the Biden Administration. What was the start-off point for the short?
I wrote INTERRUPTION back in 2019, inspired by many true stories.
I wrote the script for a friend to direct the film but she turned it down because she was concerned about the backlash the film might have back home. When I saw the overturned of Roe in June 24th 2022, I felt compelled to step in and tell a human stories for this political issue we are facing.
Following on from that, this story still highlights the extreme inequality about women’s rights in the Middle East. Where do you stand on this issue and what would you like to see change?
I think the right to choose to carry or not a pregnancy is a decision between a woman and her partner, and between a woman and her doctor. This is a personal choice. I am concerned about women’s health in the Middle East and I am hoping to see the tabou around abortion lifted in the Muslim world.
Tell us about your cast.
I knew I wanted to work with Grayaa from the day I saw his work in Brotherhood. He is a wonderful, versatile actor and great improvisor. I also loved working with Sabrina who play opposite him. They worked well together. I was truly blessed with my actors.
Tell us about your production team.
My team was half of it female and they knew the importance of telling this story to the world.
Where did you shoot and for how long?
We shot the film in Tunisia for 5 days but the pre-production was spread throughout a four month period. I wanted to take the time to prepare and rehearse as much as I can before the shoot. I like to work that way, take time during the preparation process allows more creativity in my opinion.
Given the sensitivity and consequence of the issues explored, how challenging was it to shoot a short like this without fear of reprisal?
To be honest, I was concerned and that is why I preferred to shoot in another country. I’m also telling a fictional story, there is a lot of freedom that comes with that as well. But I like political films, it’s a powerful cinema.
Who and what are your key cinematic influences?
I love this German film BARBARA by Chritian Petzold, I was very much inspired while making INTERRUPTION.
The story is set during the Stasi system and Petzold decided to shoot the story in the country side instead of Berlin. I really loved that choice, it gives a different perspective that we rarely saw in german films during that period.
Are there plans to show this short to human rights and women’s refuge charities as a point of reference?
I would love to show INTERRUPTION to NGO’s if it can help the cause. In fact I have tried many times to reach out to Planned Parenthood. I hope they will read this article and will reach out to me.
Has the short been screened in America and what has been the local reaction to the important story it tells?
The film has been screened in the US and Americans connected with the story. Going through an unwanted pregnancy in a hostile environment is a universal dilemma that anyone connects to.
What issues and themes would you like to explore in future work?
Forgiveness, hate crimes and the history of colonization.
Tell us about your background in film and what led to you to want to pursue film-making?
I have this passion for film and film-making since a very young age. I love story telling, that led me to be an actress first. I have always wrote stories since my early twenties.
Then scripts for friends. Film-making came naturally to me. All my time is spend watching films, thinking about stories, talking about movies and writing. That’s all I do. One track mind haha.
How has the festival circuit helped your film?
I actually haven’t sent the film to any festival besides the New York International Short Film Festival. The reason is because I finished INTERRUPTION too late for the festival circuit.
Finally, what are you most proud of about this short?
This is the first time I ever hold a camera and made a film from a script to a screen. I am most proud of the fact I had to write, direct, produce and act all at once. When I watch INTERRUPTION on a big screen, I feel emotional because it’s a beautiful movie, an important story to be told.
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