BALL LIGHTNIING, 12min., USA
Directed by Catriona Trina Baker
Ball Lightning is the true story of a refugee who fled the personal and social effects of Soviet run East Germany after the end of WWII and immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. The story is told through the eyes of the surrogate daughter that she raised after she was forced to give away her own infant daughter as the iron curtain rose. Gusta serves as an example of survival, kindness and the fortitude of human resilience. The film is dedicated to her lost daughter, Esther, a reminder that the children separated from families because of war are never forgotten by those who love them.

https://www.instagram.com/ball.lightning_film

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
During Covid I was bedbound, a colleague asked me how I was keeping my spirits up. I told him that the most compassionate woman I had ever met survived COVID and much more, if she could survive all that and still have her love and compassion, I can survive this. He said, "That sounds like a film. I look forward to seeing your concept art when you're better". As the film took focus, the driving force became the thought that I might reach Gusta's daughter somehow and let her know how much her mother loved her. I also realized that this was the right time to tell this story because so many children around the world are separated from their parents because of war, and they too should know that they are loved.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
five years

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Intergenerational love

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I had to carve out time to create, and I lost the studio where I was making paintings because the artists' studio building became condemned.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.
What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
I enjoy the collaboration at any stage the most. I worked with colleagues and students from Lesley University College of Art and Design. Each person brought a fresh lens and perspective to the film. This was integral in coming up with creative solutions to solve difficult shots.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I started graduate school as a painter struggling to create narrative in the static image, then my mentor, Joshua Mosley, taught me how to animate my paintings. That opened a door to new possibilities and started my filmmaking journey.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Madagascar, a journey diary

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Michele Noble, because we both believe that film can influence the world for social change and social justice.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway makes finding films and applying organized and easy. I has allowed me the opportunity to globally search for film festivals appropriate for my film.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Junket and oatmeal lace cookies.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am in the research and development stage of a few personal narrative scripts, hopefully, with funding I can get them rolling.