Haroula Rose, a versatile filmmaker and musician based in Los Angeles, has made waves once again with her second feature film, All Happy Families. In a recent conversation on the Minded Podcast, Rose shared her insights on the creative process, filmmaking challenges, and the balancing act between her music career and filmmaking. Her reflections offer a glimpse into the mind of a modern filmmaker navigating both personal and professional complexities.
A Unique Cinematic Voice
Rose's film All Happy Families is a humorous, yet deeply emotional exploration of family dynamics. Critics, like Stefan Saito, have praised the film’s laid-back charm and authenticity, highlighting how nothing feels forced, even when the narrative takes unexpected turns. Rose, however, remains modest about the praise, acknowledging both the highs and lows of receiving critical feedback.
“It’s really nice when people like your work, what can I say? But at the same time, you can’t fixate on negative reviews. Everyone has their opinion, and you never know what kind of day someone was having when they watched your film,” Rose reflected during our conversation.
Her ability to embrace both praise and critique reflects the maturity and self-assuredness of a filmmaker who has learned to trust the process, regardless of external reception.
The Journey Behind All Happy Families
While All Happy Families has found a receptive audience, Rose’s filmmaking journey has not been without its challenges. The pandemic played a significant role in shaping her first film, Once Upon a River, which premiered during the height of COVID-19. The drive-in movie theater premiere—a quirky memory Rose says she’ll share with her grandchildren one day—didn't stop the film from making a lasting impact.
With All Happy Families, Rose relished the chance to finally experience the magic of seeing an audience laugh together in theaters, something she missed with her first feature. “There’s something truly rewarding about hearing people laugh together, especially in a comedy,” she said.
The film opens with a quote from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina—“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”—a decision Rose said felt "apt" for the story. “You look at a family, and everything can seem perfect on the outside, but behind closed doors, it’s often much more complicated.”
Collaboration at the Core
Rose co-wrote the script for All Happy Families with Coburn Goss, an actor she first worked with on Once Upon a River. Their writing process began during the pandemic lockdowns, allowing them time to fully explore the themes of family dynamics, masculinity, and femininity, all while maintaining a lighthearted tone. “We didn’t want to be overly moralistic, but rather observational. The subtle complexities of family life are often humorous,” Rose explained.
Collaboration is a key theme in Rose’s career. Her casting process, she shared, is an opportunity to bring people together, building a team that enhances every aspect of the film. From Rob Huebel’s grounded performance to the nuanced portrayals by Josh Radnor and John Ashton, Rose’s ensemble cast was a result of deliberate choices. “Casting is so fun—you learn so much. It’s about finding people who are not only talented but also easy to work with.”
On Instinct and Creative Evolution
As a filmmaker and musician, Rose’s creative instincts are finely tuned, a balance that has evolved over time. “So much of filmmaking is instinct. You just kind of know when you have the right take or when someone is the right fit for a role,” she said.
When asked how she deals with the pressure of being a director—where all decisions ultimately land on her—Rose credits her supportive team. “I’ve never lost my cool. It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people and trusting them to help you find the solutions.”
Her instincts, honed over years of working in different artistic capacities, also extend to her music career. With a new record set to release in January and another album in the works, Rose seamlessly weaves her musical talent into her filmmaking. “Music is a complementary process for me. With a film, you need a whole team. With music, it’s more immediate. I can record a song today if I want.”
Looking Ahead
Despite her success, Rose remains humble about the future. When asked about her next project, she was open to wherever her journey leads. “There are two projects in development. I’m really open to whatever the universe offers,” she said with a smile.
As independent filmmaking faces its own set of challenges in 2024, Rose maintains a positive outlook. “There’s a lot of doom and gloom talk, but I’ve never subscribed to that. Things are always hard in this industry, but you keep going because you love it.”
Haroula Rose’s All Happy Families is currently making the festival rounds, with plans for wider release soon. For those seeking a heartfelt, humorous exploration of the human condition, Rose’s latest work promises to be a film worth watching.
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