She Said So
Madeline Clayton
JOJX
Director's Works
Madeline Clayton creates unforgettable narratives that deliver maximum emotional impact and resonate with audiences on a deeper level. With a meticulous focus on dialogue, performance and using non-actors, Madeline’s work feels intimate and real. She’s skilled at inviting viewers to take an active role in her films, using emotionally-charged moments to reveal simple human truths. She has been recognised at Palm Springs and won awards at The Webbys, Cannes Lions, The YDA, Melbourne Queer International Film Festival and more.
She Said So is inspired by the 13 years I was educated in an all -girls catholic school. The intensity and complexity of female friendship is unequivocal when distilled in this type of environment. I wanted to interrogate peer pressure, herd mentality and survival of the fittest. In a time when we are suffocated by social media, I’ve asked myself; how many choices do we make for ourselves or how many choices are made based on the influence of others? This film aims to question if the way young women has relationships with their bodies are authentic or heavily influenced by the culture we live in. And is it possible, within certain institutions to even think for yourself at all? When She Said So was selected by Neon, Kodak and Sean Baker I took it as a real sign that audiences want to see more stories of young women on screen that examine the role we play in shaping our identities, rather than blaming, victimising or revenging. I want to see stories of young girls caught in the complexities of the current world, how they try to survive it and the natural mistakes that are made along the way. The process of making the film has been remarkable as I’ve been able to collaborate with an excellent ensemble of talent across the board, who have offered their own female perspectives to the story.
