2021 Filmmaker In Residence
What do you do when you find out that the mother you thought gave you nothing actually gave you an heirloom you’ll never get rid of? If you have the BRCA gene mutation, breast or ovarian cancer are likely in your future. Now imagine you’ve inherited these “womanly” time-bombs from a mother you’ve always felt estranged from. This comedy/horror documentary charts the filmmaker’s quest to thwart genetic cancer with help from her mutant friends - but the biggest mystery is whether she’ll ever be able to forgive her robot mother.
Debra Schaffner is a filmmaker and editor of all things short and long, with an emphasis on art, education and body parts. Her work has screened at venues including SF DOC FEST, DOCS/MX, FRAMELINE and aired on PBS and SMG (China). Debra was raised by robots in the suburbs of New Jersey. She eventually made her way west where she worked as a bike messenger, carpenter, and video editor before finding her voice as a filmmaker. CURSE of the MUTANT HEIRLOOM is her first feature.
Project description and bios courtesy of the Resident