After relocating to the United States from Portugal, Luna struggles with a sleep disorder, prompting her mother to consider a quick-fix remedy from a renowned psychologist's innovative sleep therapy. As Luna delves into the treatment, the film examines the consequences of attempting to erase her cultural background for assimilation, highlighting the potential harm stemming from the solution that initially promised healing.
The most recent screening of Healing Plan occurred at the Toronto Women Film Festival. The movie is directed by Samantha Joia, a writer, producer, and director based in New York. Samantha earned a BFA in Film and Television Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Matilde Silva, who not only wrote and produced the film but also stars in it and completes the talented team behind this short film.
The short film Healing Plan addresses actual nightmares that Matilde still vividly recalls. The main character, Luna, was born in a technologically advanced society of today. As Luna's journey unfolds, she recognizes the unrelenting pursuit of validation from others, partly influenced by social media, has overshadowed her own inner voice. Healing Plan serves as a sincere call to take control, embrace our uniqueness, and march to the rhythm of our individual life's tune. The nightmares reflect the common anxieties of the new generation grappling with identity and exploitation.
By depicting Luna's battle with her sleep disorder and the endeavor to seek a remedy through a psychologist's therapy, the film delves into the intricacies of cultural assimilation and its impact on one's self-perception. The storyline illuminates the internal struggle Luna confronts as she navigates between preserving her heritage and yielding to the pressures of conformity. The film's exploration of Luna's internal conflicts strikes a chord with viewers, provoking contemplation on the timeless themes of identity, acceptance, and the pursuit of belonging. We had the pleasure of engaging in a discussion with Matilde Silva regarding her creative work.
How did you get started in the film industry and what was your first film project?
I began taking acting classes at the age of 10 as a form of therapy, as I was struggling with a
nightmare disorder. I fell in love with the craft and have pursued it ever since. While studying
acting at NYU Tisch, I discovered new facets of the industry through internships with the
casting directors of Money Heist and Brave Artists Management. These experiences made it
clear to me that acting might be more limiting than I had initially thought. There are many
factors outside an actor's control, such as appearance, available roles, and social media
following.
Throughout my acting journey, I often received scripts for similar types of characters due to
my appearance: the love interest, the "bitch," the mean girl, and so on. However, I always
found myself drawn to characters with exceptionally complex backstories. It was during this
time that I developed a new passion for producing and screenwriting at NYU. I decided I
wanted to create a project of my own, especially since my student visa prevented me from
working professionally as an actress in the U.S. I took the story that first inspired me to get
into theater and gathered a creative team to bring it to life. Healing Plan became my first film
project.
You began your career in films as a producer, actress, and writer of short film projects. If you had to pick between being a writer, actress, or producer, which role would you choose and why?
This is a constant struggle for me, particularly when it comes to balancing acting and
producing. I consider myself a highly creative person, but I also enjoy problem-solving and
deal-making. I started writing mainly out of necessity; I wasn’t seeing the stories I wanted to
tell — and perform — being made. I feel fortunate to enter the industry at a time when women
have demonstrated that you don’t have to limit yourself to one category. Reese Witherspoon
is one of my biggest idols, showcasing that actresses can build their own empires.
My appreciation for the filmmaking process deepened significantly once I began producing,
as I encountered all the challenges involved — from pre-production to post-production to
distribution. I simply cannot choose between acting and producing, as each fulfills different
aspects of who I am: the creative side and the business side.
In your recent project, "Healing Plan," you took on the roles of producer, writer, and actress. What is the most challenging aspect of juggling writing, producing, and acting simultaneously?
For me, each phase of this project felt like a completely separate stage. The script evolved from a play to a screenplay and was then rewritten with the director, Samantha Joia, who really helped me dig deep into my past to understand why I wanted to tell such a personal story. The biggest challenge of producing and acting simultaneously was finding time to focus on acting. I was often hesitant to rehearse the darker, more emotional scenes alone, as I didn’t want to relive the experiences tied to my nightmare disorder. Eventually, I learned to see Luna, the protagonist, as someone entirely new—I wasn’t playing myself after all. The production process was about finding the right team, and I was fortunate to work with great producers like Ben Banks, Tallia Petrone, and the director, who helped immensely. It was a
collaborative effort, but with everyone balancing school or work alongside the film, coordinating meeting times and location scouts was definitely the most challenging part.
What inspired your most recent film project?
From the age of six, I moved between Portugal, Spain, and Italy, and when I finally returned
to Lisbon, I felt like a total stranger. With my dad absent and my mom as my only real support,
I struggled to adjust, especially after my time at a Catholic school, which traumatized me
and fed into the nightmares that haunted me until I was eleven. Years later, after moving to
New York to pursue acting, I started thinking about how my experience might’ve been
different if I’d faced the pressures of social media like kids do today. That’s why, in my short
film Healing Plan, I included a celebrity psychologist to explore how fears of abandonment
and self-worth would look in today’s world. Luna, the protagonist, deals with nightmares like
mine but in a tech-obsessed society. Her story reflects how social media can distort our
sense of identity, and through her journey, I’ve realized how important it is to reclaim our
voice and live by our own standards, not society’s.
Share with us your experiences with distribution and festival screenings. Where was your film screened, and what are your plans for reaching a broader audience?
We were fortunate to work with Esther Um, our film festival coordinator and fellow NYU alum
like Samantha and I. Together, we discussed our goals and identified the festivals that best
represent films like Healing Plan. The film premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival and has
since been screened at LISBIFF and the Toronto Women Film Festival. With six selections so
far, we're awaiting responses from more festivals. I intend to use this short film as a proof of
concept for a feature, as I have so much more to explore. Luna's journey becomes way more
complex after her sessions with the celebrity psychologist, Dr. Gonzalez.
What is your upcoming film project, and what are you currently focusing on?
I'm currently working on the feature film adaptation of Healing Plan and will be participating
in Lisbon's 2024 Passport edition, where a select few actors perform in front of some of the
industry's top casting directors. While I can't reveal their names yet, they've worked on
major projects like White Lotus, Game of Thrones, and more. Lastly, I’m the jury for the
upcoming edition of MADFA film festival in Madrid.
Describe your recent screening at the Toronto Women Film Festival. How does it feel to travel to a new country to showcase your film?
I took a 14-hour connecting flight for a two-day trip, and it was definitely worth it. The Toronto
Women Film Festival showcased striking films that shed light on powerful female stories,
and I learned so much about different cultures and historical struggles. Seeing my film
included among them felt like an absolute privilege. The highlight, though, was meeting other
inspiring filmmakers who motivated me to keep pushing forward in this crazy industry.
What drives you to create films, and what impact do you believe your work will have on the world as a media artist?
What drives me to create films is the power of storytelling to make people feel seen,
understood, and less alone. Having lived through different places and personal struggles, I
know how isolating those experiences can be, and I want my films to empower people to
embrace their stories and find strength in their unique voices. For me, filmmaking is about
connecting people—taking something deeply personal and transforming it into something
that resonates universally. I believe that when people see their own fears, hopes, or
challenges reflected on screen, it creates a sense of community and inspires change.
Beyond that, I want my films to keep people curious, to ask the hard questions we don’t
always take time to reflect on. It’s through that curiosity that we grow and develop as a
society, and I want my work to challenge perspectives and spark conversations that lead to
that growth.
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