Mel and Ruby

Film festival laurel. Text reads, “Semifinalist, Burbank International Film Festival 2021.” Text framed by laurel wreath.
Film festival laurel. Text reads, “Official selection, Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2020.” Text framed by laurel wreath.
Film festival laurel. Text reads, “Official selection, Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival 2020.” Text framed by laurel wreath.
Film festival laurel. Text reads, “Official selection, Female Filmmakers Fuse Film Festival 2020.” Text framed by laurel wreath.
 

Creator’s Statement:

"Mel and Ruby" was written to de-stigmatize emotion and abortion. Safe and affordable access to quality reproductive care is still in jeopardy today. This film was very much inspired by my own personal experiences with anxiety and vulnerability. I understand how terrifying it can be to share your authentic self with others, sometimes even with the people who are closest to us. I wanted this film to create a space where people could feel safe sharing their truth. My hope is that audiences feel understood and represented.

I wanted to make a film that was honest about conflicting dynamics in relationships – but I also wanted to provide a solution for it. If we can just open our heart and mind to the other person and let go of shame and judgment, then we have a chance of creating more supportive relationships.

One of my goals as a filmmaker is to be inclusive. So many groups have experienced exclusion in the entertainment industry and beyond. As a filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to ensure that I am creating films that are inclusive and representative of the world. I’m proud that our cast and crew is a wonderful representation of many different gender identities, sexual orientations, racial backgrounds, and more.

In addition, I made a fully accessible version of the film so that everyone can experience it. This version includes a transcript, captions, and audio description (performed by Skyler Davenport). I hope this inspires other filmmakers to incorporate accessibility as part of their creative process!

Enjoy the show!

 

Photo Gallery

Film still. Young woman with large anxious eyes looks into her reflection. Dark circles, wavy hair, and casual hipster clothing.
Film still, closeup. Woman sits tensely, her expression nervous and devastated, looking at something off camera.
Film still, wide shot. Nurse’s station with desk and filing cabinet. Nurse stands, about to pull out chair to sit. She looks concernedly at patient who has blood pressure cuff on one arm and shrugs shoulders tensely.
Film still, medium shot. Woman looks to her friend, utterly devastated and weeping.
Film still, medium shot. Woman is backlit as she stands in front of opaque window. Head turned, shoulders rounded in defeat.
Film still, dirty closeup. Woman stands with arms crossed, an exasperated expression on her face as she speaks to other woman whose back is to camera.
Film still, closeup. 2 women embrace tightly. Woman facing camera buries face in other woman’s shoulder, weeping deeply.
Film still, wide shot. 2 women embrace tightly as if they are holding each other up. They stand outside clinical-looking building.
Film still, wide shot. Man and woman stand in front of receptionist’s desk smiling and oozing young love. Woman places hand over slight baby bump.
Film still, dirty closeup. Woman glares at scene partner, her expression accusatory and baffled.
Film still, dirty closeup. Woman looks up at scene partner with supportive, loving expression. In corner of frame, other woman with downcast expression.
Film still, medium shot. 2 women sit in clinic waiting room. 1 woman holds her phone as she listens to the other woman who turns eyes upward in analysis.
Film still, dirty closeup. Nurse consults Apple watch calmly. Focus pulled on nurse with other woman in side of frame out of focus.
Film still, closeup. Woman weeps deeply, grieving from depths of her soul. Other woman closes her eyes, in quiet support.