Award of Merit – “Break the Chain” (Australia)

Title: Break The Chain
Runtime: 5 min
Country: Australia
Director: Angelena Bonet
Placement: Award of Merit
Competition: March 31, 2019

Synopsis: Angelena Bonet is a warrior in the fight to end violence against women. With a fierce commitment to helping victims heal, and take back their life, she brings to bear a multitude of talents, wisdom and personal experience. Violence and tragedy are not strangers to Angelena. In 2007, the love of her life and her fiancé, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. In 2012, Angelena was the victim of a violent crime in her homeland. Only from the depths of her despair and darkest days has she truly found her voice and the courage to share about her experiences and to speak out about issues generally swept under the carpet by society. Angelena has multiple outlets for her commitment to supporting non-violence and health recovery. She sends a powerful message of self-love and healing and is proud to share her biopic documentary ‘Angelena: Change The World’, which she dedicates to her late fiancé and soul mate, Erick Deeby. She produced, directed and edited the film in its entirety, including the original music score which she co-wrote her late fiancé. From Australian supermodel to award winning documentary filmmaker, singer/songwriter and global women’s rights activist, Angelena cites the making of her film as having an intense healing effect on her and is proud to share her story. 

Angelena has created two documentary feature films (‘Angelena: Change The World’ and the sequel ‘Angelena: Heart Of The Matter’) and her short film ‘Change The World’ which she wrote, produced, directed, edited and co-wrote and sang the soundtrack in its entirety, which have won 32 awards in America thus far.

FILMMAKER Q&A: Angelena Bonet – Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, Singer, Lyricist

GS: What was the inspiration for your film?

AB: “Break The Chain” is a project that changed my life, in the most profound way imaginable. Like all my projects, this came about in an organic way. My film was inspired back in 2015 when I was visiting Washington DC and a dear friend introduced me to the V Day One Billion Rising Organization, founded by the Tony-award winning playwright and activist Eve Ensler in 2012. V Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery. Three years after I was a victim of a horrific violent crime in Melbourne, Australia in May 2012 I began filming an online journalistic program called “The Heart Of The Matter” in Toronto, Canada. Eve’s foundation really struck a chord with my heart after I had been kidnapped, gang raped and almost murdered which was orchestrated by someone that I not only knew, but loved and trusted. I vowed during my struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that I would make a stand and speak out for the violence I had suffered and the injustice I had experienced when I felt strong enough. I was blessed to meet Eve Ensler and speak at her Sydney event in October 2017 and thanked her for the global revolution she has created. It was a moment in my life I will never forget.

GS: When did you conceive the idea for your film and how long did it take before it was realized?

AB: After being introduced to the V Day One Billion Organization late 2015, I began to search for events in Sydney, Australia as I was heading home after residing in Toronto for two years. I discovered the annual global event in February, 2016 and decided to interview attendees for my show. The organizer invited me to speak at the event and join in the flash mob with women and girls that takes place in 210 countries that same weekend. I was so excited to be part of this empowering event and knew we were in a pivotal time in history with the women’s movement and changing the world. I was inspired by the song “Break The Chain” and its choreography that every flash mob dances and wanted to bring the American and Australia event together in a music video/short film to depict women coming together in one accord, reclaiming our power, all the while inspiring other women to find their courage also. It has taken a couple of years for the short film to see the light of day as I decided to create a documentary feature film series and documentary short film “Change the World” to highlight the prevalence of violence against women and have our voices finally heard. Music and dance has the power to change the world and raise the consciousness on our planet. This song is an anthem for the women’s rights movement and is extremely healing for women and girls who have survived any form of violence. Being a part of this global community is a joy and an honor.

GS: What was the most challenging aspect of working in a short film format?

AB: The biggest challenge of the short film format is portraying your message clearly and concisely. My short film actually features in a 39 minute short film “Change The World” and each piece of the puzzle is a story unto itself. The short film format changes the tempo of a film and you have to make some tough decisions whilst creating and certainly during the editing process. You must ensure the audience understands your vision and is engaged right from the get-go.

GS: What was the most challenging aspect of your production?

AB: I worked on this film for months and the attention to detail that was required was very demanding. Performing the dance was so enjoyable and shot in one take but at the same time the pressure was on because I knew I would only have one chance to capture the dance and the vibe of the one day event. I had to relax, trust and be in the moment and forget about the cameras so it would be authentic. I needed to bring the message to life, unite women from around the world and have the audience hear our voice. The challenge was ensuring my vision and the call to action was crystal clear.

GS: Do you have any advice for first-time filmmakers?

AB: Filmmaking is very challenging and can take several years from conception to completion. Possessing traits such as passion, perseverance and patience will benefit you greatly. I would advise choosing a subject matter and genre that is close to your heart and one that you believe in so that the journey can be organic. Above all else, enjoy the creative process and believe in yourself. They say that if you do what your love, you will never work a day in your life!

Angelena’s Global Shorts statuettes for both her wins – CHANGE THE WORLD and BREAK THE CHAIN. Congratulations, Angelena!