Experiencing Interruptions?

To the Surface

Single parenthood, especially single motherhood, is on the rise and the reasons can be found in causes such as divorce, accidental pregnancies and single parenting by choice.

In the UK alone there are around 2 million single parents, who make up nearly a quarter of families with dependent children. 90% of these are women.
But what are the struggles and challenges faced by single mothers?

To the Surface takes a look at this issue, by following “Let’s Talk” in London, one of the worldwide gatherings organized and led by Mela Murder, New York based choreographer, dancer, actress and single mother, recently starring in the movie The Florida Project by Sean Baker.

Overcoming a childhood marked by the death of her biological father and a troubled adolescence, Mela Murder, throughout the film, unveils her relationship with the past and the future.

As the mothers join the gathering, we participate in a narrative made of their personal experiences struggling with mental and emotional health, and their hopes and advices.

  • Maria Maida
    Director
    Jimmy, Unconditional, Pickles, Biryani
  • Michele Vicenti
    Director
    Stories of Stones, Conspiracy Side, Ferraghost
  • Michele Vicenti
    Producer
  • Maria Maida
    Producer
  • Mela Murder
    Key Cast
    "Mela Murder"
    The Florida Project
  • Miguel Cármenes
    Cinematographer
  • Andrea Calaprice
    Original music
  • Orestes Mersinias
    Sound recordist
  • Cristina Lozano
    Camera operator
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Factual, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 13, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Maria Maida, Michele Vicenti

Since his first pair of drumsticks at the age of six Michele has always based his life on rhythm.

Learning how to make films in the fast-paced tempo of post-production assisting the award-winner film editors Andrea Maguolo and Federico Conforti (They Call Me Jeeg, Sacro GRA, Gomorrah The Series, I quit whenever I want) from 2010 to 2014, Michele then changed the rhythm to become a filmmaker, jamming from country to country on documentary film productions until 2017, when he directed and edited his first documentary film 'Stories of Stones', completely self produced.

Moving his groove to direct films, Michele has then established in London, where he directed ‘To The Surface’, a documentary starring Mela Murder (The Florida Project) documentary about the life of a female British aerobatic pilot Emily Collett.

Michele has recently also collaborated with Channel 4 for their documentary series 'True Stories' and with Jerry Rothwell for 'The Reason I Jump' (Sundance 2020 Award).
​

​Recently graduated in Directing Commercials at NFTS UK, Michele is currently working as a freelance film director and editor.

His imprinted drumsticks technique, anyway, is still banging.

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