Patricia Flowers has broken through the political noise–while breaking herself into the directorial ranks–with Louder (please), a documentary short which tapped into a diverse group of young people, ages 5 to 19, for their thoughts on the 2016 Presidential election campaign while it was happening. From those who are not yet of voting age to those who are first-time voters, the interviewees in this film shared fresh and insightful observations, expressing a deep level of concern as they try to make sense of the election and our political process.
Louder (please) is being submitted to the film festival circuit, with Flowers looking to extend the short into a longer documentary or a series of short docs featuring the same cast–and possibly some new faces–documenting the full term of the Presidency: the 2016 election, and the first, second, third and fourth years, whatever they may bring. This historic election was unlike any other with new ground being broken seemingly every day–and not necessarily in a good way. Flowers would like to follow up by examining the evolution of the election, checking in with the same young people on a yearly basis. Of particular interest would be those currently too young to vote–Will, Indra, Otto and Maya–and keeping in touch with them up to that point when they are voters. What will they think then?
Working on a shoestring budget and with a skeleton crew, Flowers assembled a cast of thoughtful youngsters, professional collaborators such as consulting editor Scott Brock, and resources like music performed and written by Devendra Banhart. Of Banhart, Flowers related, “I researched and contacted his manager. He asked to see some footage. I put together a very rough edit of some clips for Devendra. He approved it. I was thrilled but I was nowhere near securing the song [‘I Feel Just Like a Child’]. I had to negotiate with the music execs and I learned a hell of a lot in the process. I had to secure both the masters and the publishing rights in separate negotiations, and many, many emails later it all worked out. I really love this song and think it’s a good fit.”
As for her approach to filming her young subjects, Flowers said, “I wanted to protect the integrity of the younger children’s interviews, so I tried not to edit out their false starts, pauses and fidgeting. It was important to allow them to be themselves and to simply capture their views and opinions within the scope of their own process of elimination when examining the candidates and the 2016 election.”
Flowers also credited the parents for being “extremely supportive and amazing. They are all very socially and politically conscious themselves. I needed them to be on board.”
The experience of producing and directing Louder (please) reconfirmed that Flowers loves working with children. “They’re brutally honest and full of surprises,” she said.
Below is an excerpt from Louder (please).
