The short film, Butterfly, was written and produced by 12 year old Ariela Rozentul. The film is inspired by the death of one of Ariela’s close friend and is an attempt to understand why some live while others do not. This is a beautiful film with a wonderful soundtrack and a powerful message. We’re very pleased to be able to ask Ariela a few questions. Thank you for your time, Ariela.
UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): First off, how did you like the experience of producing this film? How long did it take to shoot? Did anything surprise you about the process?
(AR):Butterfly is the first film I wrote and produced, so everything was new and I had to learn every step of the way. No one in my family works in the film industry, so I had to make new connections and learn from some mistakes. I was very lucky to build the most amazing team who worked tirelessly to create this film within just a few months. Due to Covid the whole film was shot outside. It only took a few days to shoot this film, but we had to adjust our schedule very last minute to the unusually cold weather and rain as well as the actors’ availability. I guess what surprised me was that it was sometimes hard to get attention to this film during the production process, because people wouldn’t take it seriously due to my age. After the film was completed many people told me that they didn’t expect that it would be a “real” film.
(UM): You wear many hats in this film: writer, actor, songwriter, producer. Which role did you enjoy most?
(AR): All of it! I’m so blessed that I could do it all and put it all together in one vision. I am very grateful to everyone who helped and supported me, everyone who believed in me and my amazing team.
(UM): The sound quality is very good. That’s not something we can’t say about every indie film. The song also adds a lot to the film, and you wrote it. Can you tell us about the song?
(AR): Thank you. Jessica Quintana, Arta Kallaba, my mom and I worked on every second of the sound of this film. We had a few setbacks along the way, but Jessica saved the day!
I wrote the song Like I Did at the same time as I wrote the Butterfly script: they are meant to go together. Losing my friend and then the whole Covid experience taught me that every day is a miracle and we should not take life for granted. Heidi Rojas helped me to perfect the song and it was produced by Joseph Baker (Mister B Music) and later released as a single “Like I Did” and is available on all music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
(UM):The film has two directors, Arta Kallaba and Jessika Quintana. Can you tell us about them? What was it like working with them?
(AR): Few years ago I was an actress in a film where Jessica Quintana was part of the crew. When I started looking for my own crew for the film Butterfly, I got in touch with Jessica and she was excited to join my team and recommended I met her friend Arta Kallaba. Once we all set down to discuss the script I knew that I had found the core for my dream team! Both Jessica and Arta are amazingly talented and hardworking. Not only they supported my vision, but they brought even more depth to it and helped to bring my story to life.
(UM):The butterflies are very touching. What do they represent?
(AR): After I lost my friend, every time I thought of her, I saw butterflies. And later, every time I thought of someone we lost, somehow butterflies made me feel calmer. I feel that butterflies are like little messengers from the loved ones who are no longer with us.
(UM):This film is an attempt to understand a tragic event. At one point, we hear a line from, I believe, the Talmud: “Whosoever saves one life saves the entire world.” Could you tell us what this means to you?
(AR): I am so glad you have noticed this. My family is Jewish and I grew up learning about Judaism, studying in Jewish school and alway trying to understand things from a religious perspective. I wrote and produced Butterfly after I turned 12, which is a Bat Mitzvah age according to Orthodox Judaim. Due to Covid I was not able to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah as planned and also around that time I lost my great grandmother to Covid, so I wanted to make sure my film pays tribute to all of those things. One good deed, one sacrifice can leave a huge mark in many lives and I hope that Butterfly touches the hearts of many and leaves a positive mark.
(UM): The protagonist hears a voice and in the credits the voice is called, “The Voice of Reason.” Is this the voice of the protagonist’s own reason? Is it the voice of God? Or did you want this to be left as an unanswered question?
(AR): In Judaism we aren’t supposed to use G-d’s name unless it is in a prayer. Also, I wanted this film to be heard by people from all backgrounds and religions, so I didn’t want to attach any specific name to that Voice. Whoever sees this film can imagine their own Voice of Reason.
(UM): Do you have any advice for those who’ve suffered the loss of a loved one?
(AR): The best advice I received when I lost my friend was from my Rabbi and his wife. When souls come to this world, they are here to grow and mature, so that when they go back into heavens, they are happy and at peace. We often don’t understand and can’t explain so many things that are happening in this world, but everything happens for a reason. Sometimes people leave us very young, that’s because their souls are already so pure and beautiful that they no longer need to be here and can enjoy heaven. They look down at us from a place where they are already in peace and they are waiting for us to manure enough to join them.
And I think they sometimes send us their little messages, like beautiful butterflies.
(UM): Will you be making more films? Could you tell us about any upcoming projects?
(AR): Yes! I have already started working on my next film Follow the Crow that I am creating together with Jessica Quintana and Arta Kallaba. I wrote that film, as well as a new song and I’m producing it and acting in it. It is currently in a post production phase and we can’t wait for everyone to see it!
by: Darida Rose
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