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I first fell in love with film when I was nine, which led me to start writing, which became my second love. For the majority of my life, I have been an avid watcher, and as my curiosity intensified, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to create a film of my own. I didn’t know about what. But something. It started to bother me that all I did was watch when I could be making something from my own mind. This culminated in my writing and pursuit of directing my screenplay, “Father Daddy.” I truly have to give credit to my Dad for getting me into film. He was never strict about what I was allowed to watch, by the time I was nine I had seen all his favorites from his DVD collection like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Ordinary People,” and “The Hangover.” My mother was horrified. She was worried this new hobby would corrupt my morals, and make me angsty and weird. And maybe it did. I mean, “Father Daddy” is a little out there. But as my Dad shared his love of great cinema, my eyes were opened to new worlds, people, and stories far outside of my own experiences. I felt like I was learning more about the human experience with each new film I watched. All I wanted to do was watch movies, talk about them, and one day when I felt ready, make them.

“Father Daddy” is an outlandish, dark comedy. It came from a place of humor, but has taken on a deeper meaning as my life unfolded in unexpected ways. I love movies that illuminate humanity’s fragile soul, and I aim to do this in “Father Daddy.” This film means a lot to me, and the opportunity to direct my vision is something I have dreamed of. The premise of this script may seem unconventional or even controversial: a priest struggling with a porn addiction. However, the goal of this film isn’t to poke fun at religion, addicts, or sex workers. It is a commentary on the darker aspects of the human experience. It uses comedy and absurdity as a vehicle to explore topics considered taboo. The dichotomy between the priest’s leadership in his community and private struggles represents an inherent human reality. We all go through periods when we feel disconnected from our true selves, when we put on a facade to hide our insecurities or inner turmoil. 

I have not struggled with a pornography addiction, but I have struggled with an eating disorder in the past, and know what it is like to deal with a mind full to the brim of obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and an intense fear surrounding a loss of control. A part of me was addicted to these disordered behaviors, and the emptiness and detachment from others I felt are symptoms that are unfortunately commonplace in our social media, appearance driven society. Just like living vicariously through social media, living vicariously through repressed sexual urges can lead to various psychological effects on someone. Sex is a complex and multifaceted aspect of the human experience, and repressing any sort of instinctual urges can lead to intense distress. I wrote the priest’s character arc and pornography addiction as a reflective mirror to anyone struggling with inner turmoil. “Father Daddy” ends the way it does because my recognition and desire to recover from anorexia was almost a religious moment of clarity, and one that many who struggle with inner demons must find deep within themselves. 

Through comedy, the film invites the audience to reflect on the masks we wear and the alienation we may experience, reminding us that even those in positions of authority and moral responsibility can grapple with their own humanity. The priest’s character arc, emotions, and struggles to find himself in our convoluted, norm-riddled society is how I interpret a universal truth of what it means to be a person. I began to want to share this sentiment with the world. The priest’s addiction leads him to a solitary existence, unable to confide in anyone about his struggles and the humor emerges from the absurd situations he finds himself in while trying to keep his secret. However, beneath the laughter, the audience can empathize with the profound loneliness that often accompanies addiction. This isolation is not limited to the priest but extends to those who may be suffering in silence, afraid to reach out for help. By portraying the consequences of isolation through comedy, I yearned for this screenplay to encourage viewers to consider the importance of support, understanding, and connection in combating addiction. The priest’s struggle with a pornography addiction is meant to be portrayed with a blend of humor and sensitivity. The screenplay humanizes the priest's addiction, and the resolution illustrates that individuals grappling with such issues deserve empathy and assistance rather than judgment.

Comedy will always be my favorite film genre, because I believe it’s the most special when done well. It’s easy to make someone cry, but laugh? Humor, tone, timing, and originality are just a few of the factors involved in writing a successful comedy. Comedy is a challenge, and “Father Daddy” is a dark comedy. The themes of addiction, isolation, and the struggle for autonomy are grounded in reality, but the absurdity of how far his addiction goes are bizarre and farcical. When I wrote this screenplay, I visualized every scene, from the color palette, the mise-en-scene, music used, to costume design - to reflect on this theme and convey the messages intended. I tried to balance the screenplay’s tone to make this a film that not only makes people laugh, but makes them think.