Big-time director wraps film shoot in Valley

In some ways, Joshua Marston is a typical Hollywood director - stressed, busy and likely behind schedule at a shoot.

Marston's first full-length film, Maria Full of Grace, was an instant hit among critics and fans alike. The film received several prestigious nominations and awards from critics and film festivals - lead actress Catalina Sandino Moreno even scored an Oscar nomination.

Marston spent some time in the Rio Grande Valley last weekend to shoot a short film titled Bitter Memories for Scenarios USA, a non-profit organization that helps guide under-served teens in leadership and self-expression through writing and filmmaking. One of their most recent contest winners was Mariella Zavala, a sophomore at PSJA North High School, for her screenplay about a teenage boy who witnesses violence at home, says he'll never do that, but then finds himself emulating his father toward the end of the story.

Marston, a resident of California, says it's exciting to see young people experiencing filmmaking, and the stories that are being told through Scenarios USA are very authentic and ones we might not hear otherwise.

Festiva asked local filmmakers to submit their questions for the director. Here are his responses. 

"I loved Maria Full of Grace, and I know a few people who thought that it was typical and based on a story about their cousin Maria. I just wanted to know how he handles negative comments about his creative work?" -Angel Elizabeth Martinez

MARSTON: There were people who raised specific things, but I deal with comments both positive and negative on a one by one basis. And I try to really listen to what people are saying and it's the same process I use when making the film. Because I take very seriously what people have to say.

"What does he believe his ‘eye' is? His personal style?" -Charlie Brenner, local director

MARSTON: I think I'm most attracted to the authentic and the real and making films that feel like a slice of life. Partly that's a reaction to a lot of Hollywood films where a lot of liberties get taken and, you know, you sort of go with it even though you don't really buy into what the story is. And I think that ultimately a lot of people crave stories that feel real and that take dramatic issues head on, instead of just sort of glossing over parts that are a little too complicated to deal with. So I'm interested in delving into the complexities and contradictions.

FESTIVA: Rumor is you're working with J.J. Abrams on a supernatural thriller, is there any truth to that?

MARSTON: There is.

FESTIVA: Can you give me any details on that?

MARSTON: I can't. (laughs) I can only confirm that I'm working on it.

FESTIVA: You seem to inspire a lot of others, but who inspires you?

MARSTON: At the moment, the kids are inspiring me. There's no question that the best part of all of this is working with these kids, going out and listening to all of their stories. We'll be on the set, and they'll be talking about how they relate to the script that we're shooting, and then they launch into a story of their own and that in itself is inspiring and I find myself saying, ‘Do you mind if I put that in a movie?' And they get surprised and they raise an eyebrow and say, ‘Sure!' And that, that's inspiring.