Filmmaker Millicent Hailes and Cast Discuss Their Engaging Queer Drama at SXSW Studio
Title: New Film "Perfect" Explores Love Amidst a Contaminated World
Subheading: Directed by Millicent Hailes, the film delves into themes of connection and self-discovery.
The highly anticipated film Perfect, directed by Millicent Hailes, premiered on March 12 at the State Theatre, drawing attention for its compelling narrative set in a world ravaged by a contaminated water supply. The story follows Kai (Ashley Moore), a young woman who finds herself homeless after a tumultuous breakup, living out of her car. Her daily struggle for survival takes a transformative turn when she discovers a hidden utopian lake, an oasis where pure water and vibrant life coexist.
At this sanctuary, Kai meets a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique tales of loss and hope. Among them is Mallory (Julia Fox), a mysterious and affluent pregnant woman who is living out an escapist fantasy. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, a passionate romance develops between Kai and Mallory. As their relationship deepens, Kai begins to unravel the complexities of Mallory’s life, exposing secrets that threaten both their bond and the fragile harmony within the community.
The film features contributions from an accomplished team, including cinematographer Ksusha Genenfeld and actors Lío Mehiel and Micaela Wittman. The involvement of Visit Films as the sales agent bolsters the film’s reach.
In discussing the inspiration behind Perfect, Hailes explained, “The idea for Perfect just came from wanting to break away from what I was doing before. I was doing a lot of music videos, and I wanted to make something longform, something that really resonated with me. Because a lot of the time when you’re doing music videos or works for clients, it sort of gets diluted along the way. So I just wanted to make something longform, something that was queer, that uplifts queer voices and has queer characters in it, [where] it’s not necessarily about their queerness. They are just existing in this world, and they happen to be queer.”
Actor Lío Mehiel shared insights into the film’s impact on viewers, stating, “We want them to feel aroused. We want them to maybe realize that they’re bisexual. We want them to realize that there’s parts of their body they never even knew existed, that they themselves want to explore with another person, perhaps. [Or] multiple people.”
In her closing remarks, Hailes emphasized the desired emotional takeaway for audiences: “We want people to leave feeling sexy. We want people to leave feeling horny. We want people to leave just blasting music on the way home. I want people to feel the shake of the base.”
As Perfect makes its mark in the cinematic landscape, it promises to challenge societal norms through its portrayal of love and identity against a backdrop of environmental crisis.
