Mini MUFF Profile: Rachel Goldberg
Mini MUFF Profile: Rachel Goldberg
Film: Rosita Lopez for President
We love when we get to see stories of women proving themselves. Rosita Lopez for President is a short film that not only had a strong young women in the lead, but also a heartwarming story about acceptance and equality. We. Love. This. Film. And not only that, but it was the PERFECT pairing for our upcoming screening of Legally Blonde THIS Thursday 10/8 at The Vogue Theater in SF!
Let's start this off with the basics: YOU!
I'm from Philadelphia originally and attended the University of Pennsylvania where I studied Theater and Psychology. I love theater because it is immediate and alive and you can literally touch your audience. But my theater work has always been spectacle based and I was soon drawn to the visual storytelling medium of film. As much as I love theater, film has it's own magic—the ability to reach an audience far beyond the four corners of one room. Not wanting to give up either of these art forms, I earned an interdisciplinary MFA in Directing for Theater and Film from the California Institute of the Arts. I make films because I think people are beautiful and complex and interesting and I love exploring characters who embark on powerful journeys. And I strive to tell stories that inspire positive change, if only by motivating us to listen a little more closely to those around us. I truly believe everyone has something powerful to say—we just need more people who are willing to listen.
Can you tell us a little bit about the short we are screening?
Rosita Lopez for President is about a 14-year-old girl who is running for President of the United States of America. As she tries to garner votes, she renews more than just a faith in democracy in the people she meets.
This short film was created through Film Independent's signature diversity program—Project Involve. Each fellow was given a theme—democracy and California—and was asked to create a short film. To me, California (at least southern California), is a beautiful celebration of diversity, and I wanted to highlight that in this film. I also wanted to explore my own personal view of democracy—equal rights for all. And I believe that young people sometimes have much clearer answers than the rest of us. From that belief came Rosita Lopez—a 14-year-old-girl who has my vote.
I was fortunate to work with an incredible team on this film, which stars Daniela Bobadilla (Anger Management) and Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), and including producer Danni Conner (Coming Home, Clean House), production designer, Warren Alan Young (The Secret Life of Bees, Fargo), gaffer, Christian Epps (Middle of Nowhere, Clockers), editor Susumu Kimura, costume designer Hellin Kay and cinematographer, Marlena Steiner.
Tell us about why you are a feminist and why it's important to your filmmaking.
I'm a feminist because women are awesome and strong and fierce and can do everything men can do and more (um, grow babies in our bellies? hello!!) And it's important to me as a filmmaker because I always showcase strong female protagonists. Growing up, I never saw anyone on screen that looked like me, and to be able to turn on the television now and see women like Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham and Shonda Rhimes taking over the airwaves, makes me so happy!!! I want to tell stories that inspire people and show women in all of our glorious forms.
Who are your favourite women working in the film industry?
Lynne Ramsay, Jane Campion, Jill Soloway, Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Nicole Holofcener, Sofia Coppola, Amy Heckerling, Lesli Linka Glatter, Chandra Wilson, Hanelle Culpepper, Sian Heder, Maggie Kiley, Julie Taymor, Patty Jenkins, Kimberly Pierce, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Sandra Bullock, Elle Schneider, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison, and so many more!!!
If a movie about your life was cast/created, who would star as you and what genre would it be?
A surreal dreamscape starring Salma Hayek (hey, if I get to pick any star who can play me, why not make pretend Salma is my doppelganger?)
What's the best advice about filmmaking you've ever received?
Just do it. Don't wait for permission. Just go.
Who is the best/superior Batman?
Michael Keaton
Put together your Dream Team (with you in one of the roles, obvs!)
Oh man, I can't answer this one!! It all depends on the project!!!! But see list above of women who I think are awesome :)
What's your go-to jam?
I'm going purely with fruit—strawberry :) Way too many go-to jams depending on where I'm going :)
What male pop culture icon or movie/TV character are you dreaming would get a gender-swap?
House
Recommend one #MUFFApproved film for our blog readers.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (dir Michel Gondry, co-starring Kate Winslet, cinematographer Ellen Kuras)
You can follow Rachel and stay up-to-date with her projects (you know you want to!) here:
voterosita.com
neighborsthefilm.com
Rosita Lopez For President FB Page
Neighbors FB Page
Neighors Twitter
Rosita Lopez for President Twitter
The Mini MUFF Society is our short film program. We aim to screen at least one local short film at each of our monthly events. You know, because we have a lot of amazing female talent in San Francisco and we want to celebrate it! Learn more here!
