DIRECTOR STATEMENT (Alexandra Clayton & MIchal Sinnott)

‘Unpacking’ is character-driven and leans into the awkward and earnest in an attempt to ‘unpack’ the commodification of spirituality. The film highlights the massive demographic of single, independent, working women in their thirties. With a lens towards some of the problematic aspects of wellness tourism, 'Unpacking' calls out cultural appropriation, how capitalism impacts community, and the pervasive push for perfection in a social media obsessed world. Our story also celebrates the much needed bonding and self growth that inevitably happens when women have space and time to get vulnerable and real in community.

Change is messy AF. We made a fun, self-aware film that’s colorful and vibrant like its locale and that doesn’t take itself quite as seriously as its characters. We utilized music and soundscape with an eye towards the action, giving our audience a nudge to laugh with the cringy truths and to tune into the expansive sounds of the natural world: the jungle and the sea, sublime and vast in contrast with the individual.           

Since we made ‘Unpacking’ the market has filled with other explorations of travel escapism: ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ ‘Fantasy Island,’ and ‘White Lotus,’ to name a few. In true indie spirit, our contribution to the conversation offers a grounded, unglamorized, and humorous experience for audiences to explore what they find appealing, relatable, and problematic.

OUR COLLECTIVE APPROACH       

Three years ago, frustrated by the constraints of narrative feature making inside traditional industry channels, we decided to take an out-of-the-box approach and just do it. We emailed forty colleagues, suggesting a pay-your-own-way, filmmaking adventure in Bali. Fifteen creatively hungry people stepped forward and ‘The Collective’ was born. What we made had to be quick, furious, collaborative, and virtually no-budget. We would be co-owners in a points based system, protected by a uniquely crafted contract—essentially a film co-op! The members also agreed to devote a portion of future profits to the local Balian Beach community where we shot.                   

Acknowledging that most who signed on were thirty-something white women, we landed on a ‘retreat’ concept. Each actor helped create a fictional character with close-to-the-bone truths, ensuring room for vulnerable improv within the treatment for our run-and-gun shoot. With few examples of Bechdel-approved ensembles exploring female friendship, we were excited to expand the narrative and make a film that felt both authentic and fresh.

WHEREVER YOU GO PICTURES COLLECTIVE MEMBERS

Dania Arancha • Yadi Awurhanda • Chelsea Bangert • Sam Bianchini • Katie Braden • Alexandra Clayton • Gandhi Fernando • Monica McKenna • Natalie Mitchell • Casey Newlin • Stephanie Roberts • Jessica Rotondi • Toby Rymkus • Joseph Schollaert • Michal Sinnott • Nancy Tan