"chasten thy son while there is still hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." - proverbs 19:18
about the film
Set in the back country of modern day America, Break the Will is about an Amish mother and father who catch their 12 year-old son watching them in a moment of intimacy. They clash when they must decide if this was boyish curiosity or if they must punish the boy with violence.
artistic statement
The short film Break the Will was inspired by a trip I took to visit a friend on the Western New York and Eastern Pennsylvania border. There we stayed in his bungalow, the nearest neighbor miles away. I saw glimpses of the Amish; but what drew me to the story was their isolation. Unable to interact with them, they became mythical to me. My imagination ran wild as I began to create stories and characters.
My research taught me a lot about the Amish and their strong belief in punishment, something I could personally relate to. One of the earliest memories I have is the first time my father hit me with a belt. I can't remember what it was for, but I remember the humiliation I felt as my mother and brother laid witness to my beating.
The Amish are an incredibly peaceful people, but in accordance with the Bible, they believe physical punishment is not only right but necessary for a child's growth. In fact, they believe a child is born with a "good will" and a "bad will"; and it is the responsibility of the parents to break the bad will. As you may have guessed, this is where I drew inspiration for the title.
I, personally, don't have children, but I cannot believe that beating someone you love is easy. So I wanted to explore the collision of what we feel is right versus what our belief system tells us is right. How far are you willing to go for what you believe in?
My hope is that when audiences view this film, they not only get a window into a world they know little about, but they take a moment to look inward; for me, the most interesting films are the ones that challenge our beliefs.
My research taught me a lot about the Amish and their strong belief in punishment, something I could personally relate to. One of the earliest memories I have is the first time my father hit me with a belt. I can't remember what it was for, but I remember the humiliation I felt as my mother and brother laid witness to my beating.
The Amish are an incredibly peaceful people, but in accordance with the Bible, they believe physical punishment is not only right but necessary for a child's growth. In fact, they believe a child is born with a "good will" and a "bad will"; and it is the responsibility of the parents to break the bad will. As you may have guessed, this is where I drew inspiration for the title.
I, personally, don't have children, but I cannot believe that beating someone you love is easy. So I wanted to explore the collision of what we feel is right versus what our belief system tells us is right. How far are you willing to go for what you believe in?
My hope is that when audiences view this film, they not only get a window into a world they know little about, but they take a moment to look inward; for me, the most interesting films are the ones that challenge our beliefs.
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Jonathan Siebel (writer/director)
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