Harriet McKern - Smile director's exclusive interview

McKern: I first met Tawfik Elgazzar when I was in front of his camera at Tortuga Studios during the 'Open Marrickville' festival in 2013. My friend & co-producer Fran Tinley said 'come down, there is this photography project Flash Hub and you can get your photo taken free'. I stood there determined to be serious or should I say serious interesting, (resenting the way, as I saw it, women were always meant to smile and look inviting in portraits whereas men could be insular and self determined.) However my arch stoney-face lasted about forty five seconds and Tawfik had me cracking up straight away. The shots turned out to be a beautiful set of photos, which profoundly helped me accept the image of my age and ditch the fifteen year old head shot I had been using up til then. Since photography was my first love, when I looked other shots taken as part of the project I kind of fell for them and this coupled with Tawfik's unique talent and generosity made me want to make the film.

McKern: Many people had loved their photos from Flash Hub, so it was relatively easy to find people who were prepared to be interviewed in "Smile".

McKern: I love the final scene, the crescendo before the credits where multiple photos come up on the screen in a beautiful collage. It's wonderful to see all the different faces. The voiceovers talk about community and it feels like a poignant scene.

McKern: Audiences have been very positive about 'Smile'. At the recent Sydney premiere where the film screened to 200 invited guests with wonderful image at the Dendy Newtown. Since the film's subject is a community photographic project that took place at the Newtown markets, round the corner from the Dendy so it felt like the film was coming 'home'. Many of the people photographed were locals and attended the event and were excited to see themselves on screen. The responses were extremely positive and multiple people said they felt themselves smiling all the way through the film. Other quotes include: "It's true smiling is good for the soul." "Gorgeous little film about a photographer. Positive lovely and light." "Beautiful open appeal for humans to be themselves and accepted for who they are." "Warm, generous, stunning movie about an amazing photographer documenting diverse people and making them smile." "Showing the positive power of Art to connect us all and the beauty of everyday people."

McKern: I have a few projects in early development including a couple of comedies, one with Lauren Mather and Greer Simpkin at Bunya Productions and a feature documentary 'Laydees That Lunch'. That's a bit idiosyncratic, and like 'Sherman's March' the filmmaker sets out on a personal quest. I want to find the women I studied with in London in the early 80s on a photography, film and tv degree and interview them about their life experiences over lunch. Woven beneath the "fru-fru-ness" of delicious dishes (looking forward to the 'restaurant' budget) is an exploration of the last forty years of feminism and where to from here.