Mabel Valdiviezo

On Sunday, April 5, we had a local screening of our short “Soledad Is Gone Forever” at the San Francisco Women’s Film Festival.   Isabel Allende, the world famous author attended the screening of “Isabel Allende,”an enlightening documentary about her life.  Brava Theatre was packed and filled with vibrant energy.  Isabel and I shared the stage after the screening and had  a wonderful Q&A.  She is brave, adventurous, generous and filled with inner female power.  I have been in a state of amusement and great inspiration ever since.

Greetings! I have wonderful news!  We have just found out that “Soledad’s Awakening” is a finalist for a $35,000 grant by the San Francisco Film Society.  This will help cover pre-production costs while we continue looking for an executive producer to secure funding for the feature film production.I want to also let you all know about another exciting screening of “Soledad,” which will happen this Sunday, April 5th at the San Francisco Women’s Film Festival alongside an amazing documentary called “Isabel Allende.”As a woman and filmmaker I am very honored to screen my short film about the human consequences of the Pinochet era, along with this powerful portrait of Isabel Allende. I have always admired her work since I was a young girl growing up in Peru and I applaud the SFWFF for such a terrific programming choice.Please join us for this special occasion at the Brava Theater in the Mission district of San Francisco.To purchase tickets go to: http://sfwff.com/schedule/schedule_040509.html

We just finished a new draft of Soledad’s Awakening.  It is a great day for me and Cesar  Viana Teague (my partner and co-writer).  We went over every scene and piece of dialogue that needed work.  At times,  when I felt a character wasn’t resolving, I would ask my dreams to tell me what to do.  And my subconscious would actually answer with a whole scene!  Cesar would also come up with very visual ideas and dialogue that would make our scenes and characters more compelling and dimensional.

Now the whole film feels like a truly political thriller with moody tones,  gothic scapes and surreal nightmares.  I can’t wait to test some of the key scenes with the fine actors from the Directing Actors Workshop I am attending. 

See the location and color palette/mood ideas for Soledad’s Awakening at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabelvaldiviezo