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FILMMAKER JESS DELA MERCED cannot afford to take a break. After her recent short film WAIT ‘TIL THE WOLVES MAKE NICE premiered at the 2015 South by Southwest film festival and won general acclaim in the festival circuit, she feels that it is best to keep moving forward. “That was only a prelude to my first feature film, CHICKENSHIT, which is currently in development,” she tells me. Unafraid to tell the stories that matter to her, she choose to follow in the footsteps of her New York University thesis mentor Spike Lee, famous for street-level social dramas like Malcom X, by pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking through her socio-cultural and contemporary narratives.
well as the end result holds a special place in my heart. I’m proud of how hard my crew and I worked on it, the execution of it, and the overall message that continues to be relevant. Also, I think it is the most fun to watch.
What was your inspiration behind your various short films? My two films BLEACHED and HYPEBEASTS deal with similar themes. As a first generation Asian American, I’m very conscious of how I fit in America. It’s like being cursed with an ever present awareness — am I Asian enough, am I American enough, how much of each should I be before I am accepted? I know many minorities struggle with this today, and I wanted to express this feeling. In both films, my main characters are finding their footing as both Asians and Americans, and they deal with the backlash of being both.
Do you feel the need to challenge yourself every day? I do by trying to write every day, which has always been the most difficult for me. Writing doesn’t come as easily to me so it takes a lot of time and proves very lonely at times, but I know I can only get better by doing it everyday. What’s next for Jess Dela Merced? I’m working on my first feature film CHICKENSHIT which is set in Detroit, Michigan, about an eleven-year-old girl who is caught in the extremes of heroics and cowardice. My most recent short film WAIT ‘TIL THE WOLVES MAKE NICE is a prelude to the film and is touring the festival circuit currently. n
I heard you even starred in some of your own films, how was that experience like? It can be tough and overwhelming, but I’m getting better at compartmentalizing and wearing different hats. I enjoy it immensely so I just hope to continue improving.
What does it take to write and direct a good film? A good story with a strong script is essential. Without it, the best direction won’t matter. For First off, can you tell us a little about yourself? me, a compelling script has to feature fleshed-out I’m a Filipino-American writer and director who and complex characters who went to New York University are always in conflict with to get my Master’s and their hearts. To direct a good have made several short film, you need a strong team films with underlying social behind you that believes in messages. I currently live in “As a first generation the end product as much as San Francisco now and it’s absolutely beautiful here. I Asian American, I’m you do. never cease being amazed very conscious of by this city. Everywhere you What’s the hardest part look is pretty cinematic and about being a filmmaker? how I fit in America. can be very inspirational. Raising money is always the Despite its flaws, it’s home It’s like being cursed hardest part on the most and I love it. The sights, the general level, but for me I with an ever present think learning to be satisfied food, the weather, and the people — it’s perfect. and not feeling haunted by awareness—am I mistakes in my work will Asian enough? Am I always be the most difficult. How did you get your start with film? American enough?” In high school, it became How do you handle clear that movies were going the acclaim that you to be an important part of films receive? my life. I was obsessed with I’m just happy audiences James Dean’s acting and, have responded to my work. his performance in East If my films can make people of Eden (directed by Elia Kazan) pushed me to feel things and most importantly make them pursue filmmaking. The feeling of being able to think and discuss, I’ll always be motivated to relate to his character was so intense; I wanted make more. to be able to tell my own stories that could affect others just as strongly. Aside from making short films, I heard you also shoot photographs. Are images important Why did you choose to make social issues the to you? focal point of your films? They’re the most important things to me. A Whenever I make a film, current issues that I feel photograph can encapsulate an entire story in strongly about inspire it. I like to have underlying just one frame and I think that’s a beautiful thing. messages in my films. I feel I have a lot to say Shooting photographs helps strengthen my skills and I can do so in an entertaining way. as an efficient visual storyteller.
Which of your films is your favorite? I have a fondness for each of my films, but my first big production in grad school was BLEACHED. There was a certain vulnerability and sincerity to it as I was still a novice filmmaker then. It’s the only film I’ve ever shot in San Francisco and the whole production process as