Living with the Dead is a feature film about love, loss, adventure, and hope. Written and directed by Queens native, Christine Vartoughian, LWTD was executive produced by Astorian, Rebekah Nelson. Parts of the film were shot throughout Queens, and feature local bands Sidesaddle, The Gantry, and Vespertina. BORO sat with Rebekah Nelson to talk about the upcoming feature. FEBRUARY 2015 | BOROMAG.COM | 47 BORO: How did you get involved with the film? Rebekah Nelson: I got involved with the film because the writer and director is a good friend of mine. We grew up together in Forest Hills, and we have known each other since we were fourteen. I was involved pretty early on—she had the script, and from that point we started preproduction together. It’s been two years in the making. BORO: Tell us a little bit about your background as a producer… RN: I have produced other things. I’ve produced mainly multi-media events with Alternative Arts Association. I learned a lot with this experience. It was nice to have this experience from the other side of the table because my background is mostly as an actor. I went to school for theater. This is my first time behind the camera, and I love it. It’s hard work, but it’s great. BORO: What is the film about? RN: It’s about a young woman who runs away from home after her boyfriend kills himself. He leaves behind a suitcase full of books that she becomes consumed with. She ends up meeting another runaway boy, and they wind up having adventures in the forest. It’s a film about loss. It’s a film about hope, love, imagination, books, and Polaroids. BORO: What makes Living with the Dead worth seeing? RN: The film is different. There aren’t many female-centric films out there. It is a female director, writer, and executive producer. It’s a very female-centric film. It tackles the issue of suicide and depression, and it’s a conversation that everyone needs to have—and something that needs to be acknowledged. At the end of the day, it’s a hopeful film—the message is that there is hope, even if you are struggling with mental illness. BORO: What is your next project? RN: I would love to do another movie next. I have something in mind already with a couple of other Astoria filmmakers, but it’s very early on. Interview + Images By Lizabeth Nieves For more information on Living with the Dead, check out their website www.lwtd-movie.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Livingwiththedeadmovie
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