Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Satire as a lens on political correctness: The film humorously exposes the contradictions and paralysis caused by performative identity politics.
- Resourceful indie filmmaking: A tiny crew operated with a tight schedule and minimal budget, creatively filling roles and spaces to bring the story to life.
- Global perspective from immigrant insight: The filmmaker’s experience straddling cultures informs a critique of First World-centric views on inclusivity and identity.
Cuban-American filmmaker Juan Pablo Daranas Molina brings his sharp, absurdist satire Seeds for All! to Nòt Film Fest, spotlighting the uneasy etiquette of identity politics through the lens of an ambitious Latina executive’s most important day—complicated by an unnoticed booger on her face.
Starring Edlyn González and Alfred Cabrera, with a lean crew shooting on 16mm film, the project blends biting commentary with resourceful indie production.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
As an immigrant, I’m amazed by how advanced and nuanced conversations around identity, race, and inclusivity are in the U.S.—especially compared to Cuba, where I grew up. But I’ve also noticed how easily these conversations can become performative, with language and etiquette often prioritized over real engagement or change. There’s a kind of paralysis that sets in, especially in corporate or progressive spaces, where fear of saying the wrong thing overrides the courage to say anything at all. I also think the understanding of these politics remains very First World-centric, and it’s a shame when well-intended efforts try to look at other parts of the world through that same lens. Seeds for All! is a satirical take on these dynamics, an absurdist scenario that explores the discomfort, contradictions, and blind spots in First World political correctness.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
We didn’t have the budget for auditions or rehearsals, so we met the main cast for the first time the day of the shoot and were pleasantly surprised by how nice and professional everyone was. We got lucky!
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
Hard for me to say—I’m biased!
“There’s a kind of paralysis that sets in, especially in corporate or progressive spaces, where fear of saying the wrong thing overrides the courage to say anything at all.”
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Choosing the right booger!
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I believe comedy is often more effective at tackling serious issues. Chaplin said, “Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” Seeds for All! uses a satirical distance to pick up on the underlying dynamics between its characters. I hope the film makes us think about how we deal with these identity issues, especially on a global scale.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
Seeds for All! is not my first, but perhaps my most obvious attempt at exploring serious issues through absurdism. Just like a microscope magnifies the tiniest details, I believe that exaggerating a phenomenon can help expose its mechanics and, often, also its hidden absurdities. I think Kafka was great at this, and I’ve been revisiting his work lately—hopefully something rubs off!
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
We were a crew of five shooting on 16mm, with access to our location for only two days (nine hours each), and long dialogue scenes with seven to eight actors at a time, which required a lot of coverage. This wouldn’t have been possible without my tight team of collaborators who can wear many hats at once. My producing partner (Bianca Di Marco) was handling both set and costume design on set. We had to fill an office space but had no money for extras, so she was also walking in the background of shots, changing into a different-colored jacket out of frame, and then walking back through as if she were a different person. Our entire camera, grip, and electric team was just two people, including me. I was often talking to the actors while holding the film camera in one arm and measuring focus, all while my amazing co-DP (Alejandro Medina) was probably loading 16mm magazines and rigging the only light we had.
“Choosing the right booger!”
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
“My biggest strength is in my collaborators. Low-budget filmmaking often comes down to having the right team that can take on difficult conditions and still make the film happen.”
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for Nòt Film Fest?
We’ve had our eyes on this festival for a while, so it’s nice to finally be here and see what all the buzz is about!
How do you hope being part of Nòt Film Fest will shape the life of this film?
It’s a pleasure to show the film in Emilia-Romagna for the first time. This is one of my favorite regions and I was recently here for a sort of Fellini pilgrimage. I enjoy sharing my work with Italian audiences, and even more so now that I’m based here after over a decade in New York.
Where do you see this film going next?
We’ve got a couple of festivals lined up after Nòt Film Fest, and then we’ll choose the best platform to make the film available online.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to understand things around me or about me."
Cast & Crew
- Anna Sundberg, Amanda Shi, Mala Wright — Cuban-American filmmaker exploring identity politics through absurdist satire
- Bianca Di Marco — Producing partner, set and costume design, multi-role background actor
- Alejandro Medina — Co-director of photography, essential camera and lighting technician
For more on Seeds for All!, visit their website.
