Mort found the inspiration for “After Her Smile” after viewing “The Second Circle” by Alexander Sokurov. He initially drafted a short version of the story in 2010. However, due to financial constraints and lack of a concrete plan, the project was put on hold.
It was during his daily train commutes that Mort began to flesh out the main character’s journey. He recognized that the tale of a young man grappling with personal missteps amidst society’s indifference was not a unique one. Many individuals he knew shared similar experiences with the protagonist. This realization fueled his determination to bring the story to life, regardless of potential obstacles.
After nearly eight years of refining, planning, revisiting the script, and battling self-doubt, Mort took a bold step. Although there were setbacks in launching “After Her Smile,” the team was fortunate to complete the primary production before the advent of Covid. The pandemic, in a way, offered the team an unexpected reprieve, allowing them to delve deeper into the nuances of both production and post-production.
The journey of creating this micro-budget film was not without its challenges. Mort built the cast and crew from the ground up, the cast and crew endured a demanding winter filming schedule, faced weather inconsistencies during production, and stakeholders withdrew from the intricacies of post-production. Yet, shooting in genuine locations under unforeseen conditions had its silver lining. The cast was able to authentically embody their roles, infusing the film with an organic realism. This raw authenticity allows viewers to see themselves in the characters and grapple with life’s complexities.
Our hope is that audiences will be inspired to take their own leaps, to remain attuned to their instincts, and to heed the inner call to create, innovate, and inspire.