MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

By Maria Arroyo

The Rest I Make Up is a documentary directed by Michelle Memran. The film focuses on the life of Maria Irene Fornes, a Cuban-American playwright who stopped writing due to dementia, and her friendship with Michelle Merman a young aspiring writer. In 1999, Irene who was in her 70s agreed to be Interview by Michelle for a magazine, hours passed by and a beautiful friendship began.

Michelle who at the time didn’t think of becoming a filmmaker, grabbed a camera one day, and started filming Irene. At the time, Michelle didn’t know she would end up making a documentary; she simply filmed every moment she shared with Irene and would ask her whatever came to her mind.

Michelle shot for more than five years, accumulating over 600+ hours of footage. In the process, Michelle met people who became as passionate about the material as she did. The documentary perfectly captivates Irene’s essence, her true self, her creativity, her views in life and society, the friendship they share, and Irene’s advancing dementia. Highly recommended!