I envision the film being set in a neoclassical Manhattan, a European take on New York with cityscapes reminiscent of Paris or Buenos Aires. The color palette of the film will be set in mint greens and lavender in contrast with maroons, navy and dark grey. The soundtrack will also reflect this grand aesthetic with romantic violin compositions juxtaposed with the modern music of renowned Venezuelan trio Todosantos. The union of these aesthetic elements and the addition of timeless yet specific costumes by the acclaimed design duo behind Ruffian, create a mise en scène that blurs 1920’s New York and the present day in this highly stylized film.
Age-old themes of death, coming of age and parenting are reinforced visually in this present day allegory. The story “Nails on the Wall” is derived from the little-known short story “Nails in the Fence.” I discovered this story through my little sister, during a time when she had fallen victim to a group of girls in her school who constantly bullied her. In a moment of utter frustration, she stood up in front of her entire sixth grade class and told these girls the Nails in the Fence story. I was overwhelmed by the mature and brave stance she took against her aggressors. As a result, the girls stopped picking on her, and later became her friends.
Realizing that inside my baby sister lived this sophisticated person with such strong moral fiber and principles inspired me a great deal; hence the adaptation and creation of this script. This is a story about a father who loves his child more than anything in the world—a child enraged at his mother’s death—and their struggle to cope. This story confronts the most basic of human experiences: growing up.
