THE SHEPHERD, 14min., USA
Directed by Arie Forma
Struggling with the news of his son’s interfaith engagement, a religious father seeks solace in his estranged brother.

https://www.arieforma.com/the-shepherd
https://www.instagram.com/rosecolored.pictures/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I was motivated to bring The Shepherd to life for a few reasons. The first is that the topic of interfaith marriages is very prevalent in my life. I was confused by the negative reactions to my sister dating a non-Jew. Upon further research, I saw that this issue extended beyond other religions and that there were stories where families could take these reactions a step too far (HINT HINT)."

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

This took me around 13 months to make. I wrote the first few drafts in March 2023. There were a bunch of negative reactions to the topic that made me want to put a pin in it for a few months, mainly out of fear, (more information on question 4). But by August 2023, The Shepherd had forced its way back, needing to be birthed. We filmed for four days, from the 19th to the 23rd of October. Postproduction then took around six and a half months to get right. A labor of love!"

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

REAL LIFE.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Casting was a significant challenge I faced. I needed to ensure everyone I hired was perfect to represent a film with such a heavy subject. I am incredibly grateful for my wonderful cast and love them all dearly, but finding them was not easy.

A month before production, I was still missing crucial roles: a lead actress, a supporting actor, and a supporting actress. Thankfully, my supporting actor, Danny Narvaez, suggested reaching out to our mutual friend, Komal Patel, an unbelievably powerful actress. We had wanted to work together since my first film, and I'm thankful she was interested in this project. I hired her on the spot, and I am immensely grateful she said yes.

Three weeks before production, I still didn't have anyone for the supporting role of Aaron Cohen. During a search on a casting database, I stumbled upon Michael Brodsky's profile. Due to some travel, he had to do Zoom auditions with the lead actor, Allan Whitehead, and myself. Right away, I knew he was not only a great guy but also a fantastic actor. Time was running short, and I still hadn't seen them together in person. I took a risk by hiring him before their first and only in-person rehearsal. The worst-case scenario was bad chemistry in person, but I had nothing to fear. A day before production, Mike and Allan met and became onscreen brothers.

Then there was Lexy Monty. I had rewritten a scene to add the character of Jaymie Cohen, thanks to my friend Corey Hicks' suggestion. The problem was, nobody wanted to play a role with only two lines. I was about to scrap the part until Mike Brodsky texted me, asking if I still needed someone. He sent over his friend Lexy's profile along with her contact info. On the day of production, as my crew was loading gear into the U-Haul, I snuck into an editing suite for my first meeting with Lexy on Zoom. Right away, I knew she was exactly what I needed. She brought the softness and innocence on screen that was missing.

I also faced negative reactions to the topic of interfaith marriages and disownment. My mentors and teachers assured me that this was mainly due to different lifestyles and the generational gap, with peers reacting based on their personal experiences rather than the quality of the work. The advice from my biggest mentor was, "The fact you got a reaction says you're doing something right." So, I owe Rich and Tim a huge thank you.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

My heart swooned more than I could have imagined. This was my favorite part of the festival. After submitting my last film, *Through Rose Colored Lenses* (Winner of Best Cinematography, June 2023), the reaction video was truly special. With this work being a massive step up, I am truly blessed by all the wonderful comments, as well as the award for Best Relationship Short!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

It's strange, but I can't pinpoint a single moment when everything clicked for me. It all sort of meshed together leading me to where I am now.

I've always loved telling stories. It's in my blood; my uncle, Steve Alten, author of the MEG series, is a New York Times Best Seller. My love for Breaking Bad and classic films also pushed me in this direction. The first significant moment I remember is when I was sharing the stories of my first heartbreak with a friend, and he said, "You should make that into a film!" Five years later that film won Best Cinematography. It's crazy how the universe works.

Before making films, I tried my hand at writing. I wanted to write a book about the stories of my first heartbreak, titled SHEEPHERDER. When I got into the University of Central Florida for film, I needed to apply for the BFA track, where I'd get to make films in the program. I decided to convert SHEEPHERDER into a script, which I renamed The Shepherd. That film was eventually renamed Through Rose Colored Lenses, and The Shepherd evolved into its current form.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Ahh, the hardest question! I think it would have to be Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If I can give a top five, it would be Indiana Jones 3, Rush Hour 2, Walk the Line, Spider-Man 2, and Her.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I'd say if we got the chance to hold an in-person festival, it would make it easier to network and meet other filmmakers. Networking online is much more difficult than meeting in person.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

I love FilmFreeway. It's a great website that I am happy to use for my film's festival run. My only gripe would be for this festival to update the status more frequently if we win awards, so we can keep all of our festival recognitions together.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is steak tacos with a side of salsa verde from my favorite restaurant, Señor Burrito.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I have a few things on the horizon. The first is converting The Shepherd into a feature. I love the characters and the story, and I want to challenge myself by making this into a feature I can sell or hopefully direct. I also plan to begin another film that covers cellphone addiction and how technology takes away human connection.