Mini MUFF Profile: Ella Rowan
Mini MUFF Profile: Ella Rowan
Film: The Funeral
Mini MUFF is all about supporting our local film community, and it doesn’t get much more local than the Toronto born and raised Ella Rowan! We will be screening this first-time writer/director’s short film, The Funeral, prior to our Toronto screening of Punisher: War Zone on July 15th. The Funeral has yet to screen in a cinema, and we’re very excited to be the ones bringing it to a big screen!
Rowan describes her love of film as stemming from the unique way it combines every aspect of other art forms: “it's sensory, it's cerebral, it's emotional. I've always been active across the whole creative spectrum—music, writing, visual art—and I think film is a fantastic way to bring all of those elements together, to tell a story that is alive in so many dimensions.” The Funeral marks Rowan’s first foray into the art of filmmaking, and she says she “can't wait to do it again”!
Rowan explains that The Funeral is loosely based on the childhood memories of a much adored rat she and her younger brother had. Unlike in the film, their beloved pet, Tiglet, died in the middle of winter, when the ground was frozen solid, and they were unable to give her a proper burial (she also mentions that her mom ended up keeping Tiglet’s body in the freezer for months, but notes that that is a different story). She closes by saying, “I guess this was a way for me to finally get some closure. RIP, Tiglet.”
Tell us about why you are a feminist and why it's important to your filmmaking.
Ella Rowan: I am a feminist because I believe in equal rights and equal opportunity. Everyone should be able to tell their story.
Who are your favourite women working in the film industry?
ER: Emily Kai Block, Jill Soloway, Mélanie Laurent, and the Broad City girls!
If a movie about your life was cast/created, who would star as you and what genre would it be?
ER: It would be a dark comedy with an insufferable protagonist, played by Michelle Williams.
What's the best advice about filmmaking you've ever received?
ER: Never be your own producer.
Who is the best/superior Batman?
ER: Adam West. Obvs.
Put together your dream team (with you in one of the roles, obvs!)
ER: I direct and co-write with Jill Soloway. It's a horror-comedy starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Karidja Toure, and Kiernan Shipka.
What's your go-to jam?
ER: "Borderline" by Madonna. And Beyoncé’s most recent album.
What male pop culture icon or movie/TV charter are you dreaming would get a gender-swap?
ER: GHOSTBUSTERS! Pinch me, is this really happening?
Recommend one #MUFFApproved film for our blog readers:
ER: We Are The Best directed by Lukas Moodysson.
You can follow Ella on Instagram.
