'Scent of Rosemary' - Q&A with film's creators

Lawrence (Robert Nolan) reminisces over a photo of his daughter in Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi's Scent of Rosemary.

Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi had a very tough time selling the idea of his short film Scent of Rosemary to actors and people in his community. The 30-minute film tackles the life of characters in the underground world of pedophilia. A taboo topic that is rarely covered in film and which, understandably, put off a number of possible collaborators and actors.

Undeterred by the strong reactions and biases toward a very real but rarely discussed problem, Alfredo persisted in his attempts to get people involved and get the film made and ready for the festival circuit.

Scent of Rosemary, something of a karmic cautionary tale, was written, produced, directed and scored by Alfredo who also shot the film in two weekends with one camera and three actors. Alfredo describes the film’s synopsis below.

“Lawrence, a one-time child sex offender, is released from prison to discover that his wife has died and that his young daughter, Rosemary, has been adopted. Living in his auto body shop, he tries to re-establish his life, but finds himself gravitating toward the curiosities of child pornography once again. What follows is a karma story at its most poignant and venomous degree.”

What made you cover such a delicate and incendiary topic in Scent of Rosemary?
Alfredo: I remember watching the news where a released pedophile said, ” I am going to do it again if you release me.” He was caught again shortly after being let out and that struck me.

Given the nature of the subject matter, how challenging was it for you to secure talent and crew?
Alfredo: Many people reacted very negatively to the script, which was originally the third short film of an anthology I had planned. As the script revealed its subject, it was a big turn-off for many. People would tell me “this is too real, you should tone it down.”

Of the three onscreen characters, there is no real 'likable' protagonist in the film. Was this hard to work with?
Alfredo: I tried to create not only a generational timeline but also a spectrum. Lawrence is the sympathetic one - he’s going to be our foil character, the guy who asks all the questions. Gavin is the overzealous, internet-age type of guy - he thinks everything is easy. Oscar is the veteran, he tells you “Gavin is the show, I'm the business.” Guys like Oscar set you straight.

How did the filming process go; what did you have to work with?
Alfredo: I shot the film in my uncle’s auto body shop. When I was writing the script, I had that place in mind. We shot the film in November in two weekends. I was more organized than I ever was. So it was me and a boom operator using one camera. It came together extremely well.

What significance does the film's title hold?
Alfredo: Titles are extremely important to me. I want there to be thought to the title, Scent of Rosemary to me means that Lawrence is on a quest following a scent and on a trail. Rosemary is an herb of remembrance as well. Smell is very important; it can take you back to a place and a time.

Robert, what convinced you to take on the role? Did you struggle with your decision?
Robert: Honestly, I had a lot of reservations about taking on the project and Alfredo and I discussed it at length. Basically, what I am looking for as an actor is not to do the same thing again and again. I’m looking for new kinds of explorations and ways to tell stories as well as stories told in interesting ways.

The film deals with an extremely sensitive social issue with many viewpoints and the unresolved social dilemma around it interested me. Of course I was concerned about my image as an actor but if I put that ahead of the story then I'm not doing my job. If we don’t take on these issues as artists, then who will?

Your character, Lawrence, is an extremely conflicted person. How did you prepare for the role?
Robert: There were times when I thought, “I’m not going to do this,” and for many actors who Alfredo approached, that was their final answer. In my case I decided that if I am going to be an actor, I have to find the courage to go places and portray characters that haven’t been done before.

Alfredo: Robert, I remember you saying that we are all connected

Is adoption a recurring theme in your films? It also figures in your upcoming film.
Alfredo: Yes, family strife, in general is a theme I am interested in. Its how a lot of people feel, it’s synonymous with being out of place.

What has the reception for the film been so far?
Alfredo: The reaction has been mixed. A lot of people have been angered by it and that was expected. My own relatives didn’t expect that kind of material from me. I want to tackle issues here . A lot of people have not finished the film beyond a certain point. Others have come up to me and say “keep doing it”; they’re intrigued by it.

Robert: The film gets a real gut reaction from people. It’s not easily forgotten. The thing about the film is, none of this is graphically portrayed, It all happens in the dialogue and off camera.

Alfredo: There’s a lot of thought behind the film. Nothing was taken for granted and everything was well planned and intentional.

Are you submitting to festivals?
Alfredo: I have submitted it to seven festivals in Canada and the US. Right now we’re putting together a package for the Toronto International Film Festival and I am hoping that they can get beyond the fact that it is a no budget film and from a Canadian filmmaker. It is difficult for us to get into our own scene and look beyond production value.

What's next?
Alfredo: Robert and I have been working on a new film, Reverie Three, about an adopted man who’s fear, confusion and rage about those around him culminate in a twisted revenge plot against the only family he's ever known.

---

Scent of Rosemary
Produced and directed by Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi with Robert Nolan, Steven L. Bird and Patrick B. Smith.

To learn more, visit:
Scent of Rosemary on IMDb
Scent of Rosemary on Facebook
Robert Nolan's website