FAQs...
Q: Where did the title CLING come from? A: In addition to the definition of the word “cling” aptly representing the cause and cure for Jade’s dilemma, writer, Enisha Brewster, lived on Kling St in Los Angeles during the relationship that most inspired the short film. Q: Why is there so little dialogue? A: It was important to the filmmakers to emphasize the emotional journey of Jade and highlight the dialogue between Jade and her mother, Darlene, as the turning point in the film. Q: How long did it take to make the film? A: Six months: preproduction began April of 2021, filming took place in June, and the film was completed in October. Q: How many days of filming were there? A: Two Q: Why does Jade throw Jason’s phone in the trash? A: Jade is angry and beyond her capacity to communicate rationally. Instead of responding to his messages about her taking his phone, she tosses it. Q: Does the dialogue between Jade and Darlene happen in present day? A: Though intentionally ambiguous at the start, this conversation is one of several flashbacks Jade recalls during her single-day journey. Q: Why does Jade say “Yeah, it’s me” on the phone to her mom? A: Darlene has likely been trying to reach Jade all day. She responds this way as a confirmation and answer to Darlene’s admonishment earlier in the film. Q: In how many different locations did filming take place? A: Eight, many of which were visited twice in a single day of shooting to capture the passing of time. Q: How did ‘Lady in Green’ inspire the story? A: The Ntozake Shange character has a famous poem that begins: “somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff”. The metaphoric poem inspired both the name of the lead character and parts of the plot. Q: Did CLING have an all-female crew? A: Nearly. All key filmmaker roles were held by women: writer, director, cinematographer, assistant camera, and producers. Access the Full Press Kit ➔
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ABOUT THE FILM...
With its limited dialogue, CLING is a visual and emotional appeal to anyone trapped in an unhealthy situation to take one step and then another toward peace, to never forget who they are, and to take responsibility for their happiness no matter what. Shot in a variety of East Los Angeles neighborhoods, the moving pictures of CLING are meant to serve as a metaphor of the inner struggle one wages as she contends with one unsustainable reality after another. And, it is an ode to the power of a mother’s love which knows no depths and defies all distances. CLING is inspired by the real-life events of writer and lead actress, Enisha Brewster, detangling from bad relationships and surviving the harsh realities of life far from home. Enisha also drew inspiration from “lady in green,” a character from Ntozoke Shange’s Choreopoem, For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf. For Enisha, making CLING has served as a catharsis and an acknowledgement of a reclaimed self. Access the Full Press Kit ➔ What a weekend at the City of Angels Women's Film Festival. Our short film CLING screened on Saturday in a block of truly great films 🎥. Shout out to Mel Mah our director and Giuseppe Russo our concept artist/storyboard artist & Executive Producer!
We were nominated for Best Short Short and took home the trophy 🏆 for Best Actress! Such an honor 🙌🏾. THANK YOU Lisa, Amanda, and all of the organizers and sponsors for creating space to celebrate women filmmakers and women's stories in film! Fantastic festival!
Highlights from the 2022 COAWFF where CLING screens as an official selection. Director, Mel Mah participates in Q&A. Giuseppe Russo and Enisha Brewster attend the Awards Gala in North Hollywood. Enisha Brewster wins Best Actress for the short film CLING.
Check out the highlights from the CLING Q&A at the California Women's Film Festival.
During the Q&A at the 2022 California Women's Film Festival, actress and writer, Enisha Brewster alongside producer Taryn Kelly, discuss the inspiration and making of CLING the short film directed by Mel Mah.
Hot Like Fire!Shot by Korbin Bielski, we braved the searing temperatures of the Salton Sea Beach and served up hotter than hot looks of the New (AW)/(Leg Cuff’s) Stunt Harness collection for www.AxtionWear.com. Wow! Photos are copyright AxionWear 2022. All rights reserved.
Hawaii was a dream!
Seven days, 4 people, 2 waterfalls, miles of splendid beaches and even a scuba dive in a lagoon! We went full tourist and made the most out of everyday in paradise. I hadn't been on Oahu since childhood, but it was the first time on the island for my travel companions Giuseppe, Niem, and Kimmy. We booked a simple AirBnB right in Waikiki and rented a SUV to escape whenever we wanted. Renting a car: key! Hawaii is super COVID strict, so we had to travel with vaccination cards and IDs everywhere we went in case of an impromptu dine-in opportunity. My brother and his girlfriend had theirs laminated... Helpful, since between the ocean, and the intermittent rain 3-5 times per day, the threat of them getting ruined was always on my mind. I'm thinking of getting one of those plastic sleeves when we go to Italy in a few months... Oahu is far more beautiful than I remembered! It really is that lush. The blue of the sky is mesmerizing. The rainbows are plentiful, and the water is crystalline. Our first hike was to see Manoa Falls. The short drive there, and even the hike offer spectacular views of mountains hidden somewhere underneath mature tree tops, tall perfect palm trees, wild flowers with massive leaves and colorful blooms. Wish I could share everything. But now 8 months have passed. And it's all a dream I'd like to escape to some time again real soon.
Here it is! Our poster for CLING is out and published.
And to sweeten the update, I am pleased to share that CLING is just weeks away from being fully completed! Next steps? We are compiling a list of festivals to submit our short to and see about earning some awards. Have any suggestions? I have to say--this being my maiden voyage across the filmmaking seas--I was not expecting to feel so accomplished and feel so proud of having arrived here. Here, with a nearly completed film, that I am incredibly proud of. I am proud of the script, proud of the acting, proud of the quality. Proud of my team! The journey itself has taught me so much about what it feels like to keep marching in the direction of your goals. No matter what. There were plenty of times when the voice of doubt, the voice that repeatedly told me that no one would care and no one would help, was mightier than my will. So how then did I get here? The team. More than anything, I learned the value of having visionary do-ers around who genuinely believe in me. When imposter syndrome threatened to kill this project before it was even fully formed, I had people checking in, asking for another draft, reminding me that deadlines were approaching, and basically just bigging me up. Priceless. More on this to come... For today, I simply want to celebrate the release of our poster and welcome anyone who wants to get in on supporting this project through its last few stages before completion. It's not too late to donate to our crowdfunding campaign by clicking the link below. Jump on board! Please note: Contributions of any size are still welcomed, however, Executive Producer, and Special Thanks credits are no longer available as Thank You's, as we have pictured locked our film. All other Thank You Gifts will apply according to donation size. |
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