Today we’re speaking with Shantay Cormier about the script for her as yet un-produced short film, Phighter. This is the story of two very relatable characters experiencing a true dilemma: after their engagement, one of them gets a terrible and incurable illness. What does that mean for their future together? Thank you for taking some time to answer our questions.
Chris McClure, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): First off, what was the inspiration for this script?
Shantay Cormier (SC): The inspiration behind Phighter came to me long before I actually wrote it. In 2018, I myself was diagnosed with the disease Callen has- pulmonary arterial hypertension. Upon diagnosis, I learned how rare this disease is and how few people know about it. That’s when I began wanting to raise awareness of this disease. On top of just raising awareness to the disease, I also wanted to emphasize how drastically a person’s life changes after receiving such news, and how not only that person’s life changes, but also the lives of their loved ones.
(UM): Do you plan on making this into a short film?
(SC): I definitely do plan on making this into a short film, and eventually into a feature, because there’s a lot more topics that I want to open to discussion about the lives of people living with any incurable illness.
(UM): If you were to make it, can you tell us how the short would look?
(SC): I wish I could give you a good visual example of what Phighter will look like, Lion by Garth Davis might be the closest thing I can think of. So finding a good D.O.P. and camera op will be key to bringing this script to life. As far as the story goes, This story is told in a non-linear fashion to echo the reality of one’s thoughts. Although we move forward in life, we are often guided and influenced by our past and make decisions based on key moments that we recall. The narrative of this story shows that. It also demonstrates the parallels in life and how drastically things can change in a short amount of time.
(UM): Can you tell us about the title? Why ‘Phighter’ with a ‘PH?’
(SC): The title, PH for Phighter, is for the general category of the disease Callen has- Pulmonary Hypertension. Phighter was also chosen to represent all people fighting pulmonary hypertension like Callen. Fighting a rare and invisible illness like PH is a battle that deserves recognition. I’m truly proud of all the “Phighters” out there that fight everyday to not let this disease control their lives.
(UM): Do you think this would have been a successful marriage if Callan had been healthy
(SC): I don’t think Callen and Jacob would have had a successful marriage long term even if Callen would never have developed pulmonary arterial hypertension. It might have been okay for the first little while, but I believe another life challenge would have been thrown at them which would have torn them apart. In other words, I don’t think their relationship was meant to last. So in a way, maybe it was for the best that they broke up now rather than further down the road. And I think Callen sees that at the end.
(UM): Do you think Jacob is just a lousy person, or does he have a point?
(SC): No, I don’t believe Jacob is a lousy person. I see Jacob as having his own perception of what a relationship is supposed to be like and up until Callen started suffering from the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and her diagnosis, their relationship matched his ideal relationship. However, when things changed his feelings about their relationship changed as well- his image of the picture perfect relationship got destroyed. So maybe it was Jacob’s naïveté that led him astray, or his ignorance that inhibits him from realizing that all relationships have their own hardships. For some it might seem like a lousy thing to do, but for him it was a valid issue, since it’s his life he has the only say on how he chooses to live it. Even if he had chosen to stay with Callen, do you truly believe that staying in a relationship where there is love lost is the healthiest thing to do? I can’t see that alternative going well either.
(UM): What do you hope audiences will take away from this script and future film?
(SC): The one thing that I hope audiences will take away from this script and future films is that no matter what life throws at you, no matter how hard it gets, keep fighting. You owe it to yourself. I, myself, have pulmonary arterial hypertension, therefore I know how hard it gets. I have days where I feel too poorly to do anything, so I listen to what my body is telling me and take those extra breaks or I pace myself better throughout that day. I still struggle with the frustration that comes with all the limitations caused by this disease and its treatment. I don’t think those frustrations will ever go away, but I will always try to figure out a way to still be able to do what I want with my life. I owe it to myself to never stop trying. To never stop phighting.
(UM): Why do you think Callan smiles at the end?
(SC): For me, Callen’s smile at the end represents her realizing that everything will be okay, she’ll be okay. I believe she realized that if that’s how Jacob felt about her being sick, she didn’t want him around her anyway. That wasn’t the kind of attitude she needed in her life during that time.