(Q) First off, how did you like the experience of producing film Butterfly, how long did it take to shoot and did anything surprise you about the process?
(AR):Butterfly is the first film I wrote and produced, so everything was new and I had to learn every step of the way. No one in my family works in the film industry, so I had to make new connections and learn from some mistakes. I was very lucky to build the most amazing team who worked tirelessly to create this film within just a few months. Due to Covid the whole film was shot outdoors. It only took a few days to shoot this film, but we had to adjust our schedule very last minute to the unusually cold weather and rain as well as the actors’ availability. I guess what surprised me was that it was sometimes hard to get attention to this film during the production process, because people wouldn’t take it seriously due to my age. After the film was completed, many people told me that they didn’t expect that it would be a “real” film and after winning many awards and being shown at international film festivals, many still get surprised.
(Q) You wear many hats in this film: writer, actor, songwriter, producer. What are highlights of each role and which role did you enjoy most, and can you tell us about the song?
(AR): All of it! I’m so grateful that I could do it all and put it all together in one vision and I am also very grateful to everyone who helped and supported me, everyone who believed in me and my amazing team. I wrote the song Like I Did at the same time as I wrote the Butterfly script: they are meant to go together. Losing my friend and then the whole Covid experience taught me that every day is a miracle, and we should not take life for granted. Heidi Rojas helped me to perfect the song and it was produced by Joseph Baker (Mister B Music) and later released as a single “Like I Did” and is available on all music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
(Q) This film is an attempt to understand a tragic event. At one point, we hear a line from, I believe, the Talmud: “Whosoever saves one life saves the entire world.” Could you tell us what this means to you and what do butterflies represent?
(AR): I am so glad you have noticed this. I wrote and produced Butterfly after I turned 12, which is a Bat Mitzvah age according to Judaism. Because of Covid I was not able to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah as planned and also around that time I lost my great grandmother to Covid, so I wanted to make sure my film pays tribute to all of those things. One good deed, one sacrifice can leave a huge mark in many lives, and I hope that Butterfly touches the hearts of many and leaves a positive mark.
After I lost my friend, every time I thought of her, I saw butterflies. And later, every time I thought of someone we lost, somehow butterflies made me feel calmer. I feel that butterflies are like little messengers from the loved ones who are no longer with us.
(Q) Will you be making more films? Could you tell us about any upcoming projects?
(AR): Yes! I have just finalized my second film Follow the Crow that I am creating together with the directors Jessica Quintana and Arta Kallaba. I wrote that film, as well as a new song and I’m producing it and acting in it. The film is about to start being submitted to Film Festivals and we are very excited about it.
I also have my new third single Friends Help Me Get By about to be released, so please listen to my songs on all music channels, such as Spotify and Apple Plus as well as YouTube.
Once the new film Follow the Crow is accepted by festivals, I will release the single I wrote for that film. So stay tuned.
(Q) Is there anything else do you like doing outside of film and music?
(AR): Of course! I am only 13, so there are so many things I like to do and still so many things I would like to try. I have been acting on stage and dancing since I was very little. I also play piano and I would love to learn classical guitar.
I have been training in Krav Maga since I was 6 years old. And I love inspiring and encouraging young girls to be strong and independent.
I also use every opportunity to participate in charity events and help people. I learned that “To be kind is more important than to be right.”
I am also very grateful to be the recipient of the Truman Scholarship by the Tikvah Fund for the Middle schoolers designed to develop and grow leadership skills.
