Famed triple threat award-winning filmmaker Mike Montagna has begun pre-production on his latest movie ‘Mamma.’ The story, which Mike wrote and is set to produce and direct, follows a big, and not too smart, guy who does nothing but take care of his obese mom, until his life is turned upside down when he falls in love with an anorexic girl. All is left to do is tell his mamma.
We caught up with Mike Montagna to discuss the movie and his unique community outreach so the film can come into fruition.
As the writer of the movie, how did you come up with the story?
I want to tell this story because it’s a personal story, and I hope that someone can relate to it.I would like to communicate the difficulties of building a new life outside the comfort zone made by your own household and your own family. I also would like to talk about the difficult relationship that a human being can have with food. An addiction too often underestimated because, at first sight, food is a necessity and people have to feed themselves every day, and it can most commonly be harmless. Until it isn’t.
Addiction not only about food but in general as a way to fill an existential void. I would like to explore the way of thinking of Freud and Pascal and tell the story thanks to their thoughts.
We read that you enjoy exploring the human connection in your movies so what is captivating about this story?
I don’t think there is ever a wrong time to tell a story. There comes a point when emotions and thoughts need to be released, transformed into something concrete. I want to communicate to the audience my feelings, my view of the world and cinema itself. I would like to trigger questions rather than provide answers. I would like it if someone, watching this film, even if only for a few seconds, could mirror themselves and feel cuddled, or perhaps spurred on, could laugh or cry… or may feel less alone in the world.
As for its inspiration, that comes from two things that are part of my daily life: my family and food. So why not try to combine them together and tell a story through the art I love most of all, cinema? Why not try to communicate how immensely I love these two things? Why not try to tell the story of how addiction to these two things can be harmful both to our growth as human beings and to our mental and physical health? I am a storyteller, and I would never miss the opportunity to tell this story.
As a personal level to the story, what is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is that my parents will die without knowing how much I loved them.Did I do enough for them? Did I repay them for everything they did for me?
I live more than 6,000 miles away from home. I am trying to build my own life, my own future, but the more time passes the more I realize that no place is like home.
I think a bond like the one between a mother and child is the most powerful in the world; two human beings made to be together. You can try all kinds of ways to separate them: cutting the umbilical cord, weaning, first friends, school, disappointments, alcohol, drugs, work, economic problems, illness, prison, marriage, even death… but despite everything – mother and child will remain connected forever.
This is an incredible concept to delve into. Why do you think the story needs to be told?
This proof of concept is dedicated to all the parents, all the children and all the mothers in the world who – despite everything – even for a second have remembered, on a dreary Sunday afternoon, each other’s smiles.
Tell us about the new crowdfunding campaign.
I’m excited to share that we’ve just launched the crowdfunding campaign for this film, ‘Mamma,’ on Indiegogo. This project is a proof of concept for a larger vision, intertwining drama and suspense to tell a deeply personal story. We’ve set a funding goal of $20,000, which will cover crucial production expenses such as cast, crew, locations, equipment, and, hopefully, post-production as well.
By backing this campaign, supporters are not only aiding in the creation of a unique and compelling film but also championing the spirit of independent filmmaking. Every contribution, no matter the size, is a vital step toward bringing ‘Mamma’ to life, and we deeply appreciate the generosity and belief in this project.
If the crowdfunding goes well, ‘Mamma’ will be shot in Los Angeles during the second half of September.
How can people keep up with you?
People can find me through my IMDb and Instagram, and please feel free to donate and see our production progress with ‘Mamma’ here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mamma-film/x/37900577#/
