Nothing Against Life
I received this press release in my inbox yesterday–I thought this was a great example of the kind of socially-conscious filmmaking that is going on here in Seattle, as well as an example of how films like these can be a community-involved creation–Jenni
Paradigma Productions is pleased to announce the official campaign to promote the making of the film:
NOTHING AGAINST LIFE
Written and conceived by Seattle-based director Julio Ramirez, the script is already receiving advance praise for its groundbreaking take on the subject of suicide.
New York Times bestselling author Kevin O’Brien raves, “Ramirez’s script is timely. Suicide today is like cancer was in the 1940s: A topic that’s stuck in the closet. What’s more, he’s brought to life meaty, colorful roles that are yearning to be played.”
Says the director, “This exciting project is on the cusp of fruition, but we still have a long way to go.” The main thrust of the film’s public awareness campaign is today’s web launch, and will feature everything from videos about the project to a blog with live updates in both English and Spanish. But what’s truly special is the site’s interactivity: There are all kinds of ways to get involved in the project, from a community feedback section to a PayPal link where supporters can make tax-deductible donations through Northwest Film Forum, a 501 (c) 3 organization that supports independent filmmakers.
Four years in the making, Ramirez’s script peers into the lives of four distinct but interlocking characters, evoking a Short Cuts-style montage set in the lush precincts of Seattle. With pitch perfect dialogue and vivid scene depiction, the director explores their most intimate thoughts and feelings during what may be their last days alive.
It’s a nuanced treatment that’s long overdue. As Ramirez explains, “Statistics say there’s one suicide for every business day in King County alone, where the story takes place. It’s all around us, but nobody’s talking about it. We’re not trying to make any specific statements about suicide…our only goal is to tell a story that can help bring the subject to the table.”
While gathering material for the script, the director interviewed a host of suicide survivors, incorporating their unique blend of stressors into the story. By connecting with real life subjects, clinical psychiatrist Dr. Laura Kastner asserts the author has actually “captured the way suicide exists and occurs.”
Connecting and communicating is an easy jump for Ramirez to make. A human rights worker at an immigration non-profit based in Seattle, the director hails from Colombia with a Communications background. He now works full time in the film industry, helping produce various narrative film shorts, as well as documentaries for the non-profit sector. This is his first full-length feature project.
For more information about the upcoming film Nothing Against Life, please visit the website nothingaginstlife.com. Requests for press materials and interviews with the director can be made to Press@nothingagainstlife.com