Go Into The Story – Interview: April 2021

In 2016, I had the pleasure of working with Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt on a story she was developing, then eventually would write as a full-length feature film screenplay. With a background in Canada as an actor and playwright, it was clear to me that Michelle had strong story instincts. She stayed in touch over the years and it’s been exciting to track her creative journey. I asked Michelle if she would write something about her experience. Here is her story.

Full interview: Go Into the Story

Testkammer – Interview: Oct. 7, 2020

Was war der Ausgangspunkt deiner Geschichte von „Brave Little Army“? 

Vor fünf Jahren wurde ich inspiriert, einen Film über vier lebenslange Freunde zu schreiben, die sich zu einem Wochenendausflug zusammenfinden, der zum perfekten Verbrechen wird. Als sich das Drehbuch entwickelte, wurde mir klar, dass es eine größere Geschichte war, als ich anfangs dachte. „Brave Little Army“ ist die Geschichte, wie sich diese vier Freunde im Alter von zwölf Jahren treffen und für immer miteinander verbunden sind. Es ist der erste Film in einer Trilogie.

Full interview: Testkammer

Testkammer – Review: Oct. 7, 2020

Filmkritik: Die kanadische Filmemacherin und Schauspielerin Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt schuf mit ihrem Kurzfilm „Brave Little Army“, zu sehen u.a. im ‚Jugend‘-Programm des 32. Filmfest Dresden, einen gelungenen Auftakt für eine geplante Trilogie und erzählt wie sich eine starke Mädchenclique fand.

Full review: „Brave Little Army“ (2018)

Toronto Film Files – Review: June 27, 2020

Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt’s BRAVE LITTLE ARMY is an enigmatic tale of a group of preteen girls who are brought together when a mysterious, new student joins their class.

Dee (Faith Vanderwerf), K (Rosali Annikie), and Lu (Amanda Cheung) are navigating middle school circa 1984. They are shaken out of their routine-laden school day when a bold, seemingly fearless, new student walks into the classroom and promptly puts a would-be bully in his place. Impressed and inspired by their new classmate, Em (Lyla Elliott), the girls join forces and form a fiercely close bond. Together, they develop their sense of self-worth and blossom into their authentic selves.

Full review: Toronto Film Files

We Are Moving Stories: Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt – Oct. 21, 2019

Congratulations! Why did you make your film? Thank you. I wanted to explore the power of female friendship. Set in 1984, Brave Little Army is the story of how four girls – Em, K, Lu and Dee – meet at age 12 and become friends forever. It’s the first film in a trilogy.

Read interview: We Are Moving Stories

Italian Cinema Today: A Conversation with Filmmaker Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt – Sept. 9, 2019

Toronto-based filmmaker Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt followed her heart when she was young and had dreams of working in theatre. She performed onstage as an actress and behind the scenes as a playwright. Before long, cinema came calling and she was cast in independent films like the 2015 award-winning comedy “Guess Who’s Not Coming to Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?,” the 2017 dramatic short “Friends on Facebook” and Justin McConnell’s 2018 “Lifechanger.” As a producer, she’s co-produced several theatre productions and over 50 video productions.

In 2018, she made her directorial debut with the short film “Brave Little Army.” The first of a trilogy, the film follows a group of girlfriends from grammar school through adulthood as they develop a bond and support each other in times of difficulty. The film has been shown at festivals all over the world, including Basilicata, Italy, the region of her family’s Italian origins.

Read full interview: Italian Cinema Today

Lucania Film Fest Interview: Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt – Aug. 7, 2019

La regista Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt ci parla del suo corto Brave Little Army.

Watch interview: Lucania Film Festival

LARS & RUBY – Interview: Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt – Apr. 3, 2019

Top départ de la quatrième édition du Festival Courts d’un Soir ! Pour mettre en avant la richesse de ce premier jour, nous sommes allés à la rencontre de la réalisatrice Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt, pour son court métrage Brave Little Army, en compétition dans la Sélection Très Courts!

Full interview: LARS & RUBY

LARS & RUBY – Article: Festival Courts d’un soir: Zoom sur la Sélection Très Courts – Mar. 23, 2019

Le court métrage Brave Little Army fait partie d’une trilogie. Le film met en lumière la genèse de l’amitié soudée entre quatre jeunes filles âgées de douze ans : Em, K, Lu et Dee. Cette relation fusionnelle va naître après la découverte d’une sombre vérité… qui va les unir à jamais. Brave Little Army a été sélectionné dans plus de huit festivals de courts métrages internationaux et continue aujourd’hui son voyage vers le Québec, à Montréal…

Full article: LARS & RUBY

Femfilmfans – Review: Brave Little Army – Mar. 23, 2019

“The international premiere screening of Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt’s short film Brave Little Army couldn’t have come more timely. Shown at the Berlin Feminist Film Week (BFFW), the 6-minute short film complements the rise and necessity for feminism in young women. Having played just after International Women’s Day (a newly made public holiday in Berlin), Brave Little Army adds to the canon of films on female capabilities.”

Full review: Femfilmfans 

Your Kingston – KCFF Interview: Amanda Cheung – Feb. 27, 2019

“The Kingston Canadian Film Festival starts TOMORROW! And we have a STAR in our midst! Kingstonian, Amanda Cheung plays Lu in the film Brave Little Army, a film by Black Lab Film Company. Created with an all-female crew, Brave Little Army is part one of a trilogy. Set in 1984, this short film is the genesis story of the fierce friendship of 12-year-old girls Em, K, Lu and Dee. Can’t wait to see it! It’s screening at the The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Saturday March 2! Check out the line up here! So many great films to see & events to attend! https://kingcanfilmfest.com/”

Watch interview: Your Kingston

Hollywood North Magazine – Review: Brave Little Army – Nov. 15, 2018

“The story itself is well written and it’s amazing how it goes so rapidly from radical to simplistic to whoa-whats-going-on-here. Gayle Ye’s fine cinematography shows bold colours and appropriate solid lighting to add to any scene. Combined with the seamless and professional editing done by Sydney Cowper teamed up with sound designer Bridget Tang, the film is a true cinematic masterpiece that will want you to see more plot, and let’s not forget that amazing music provided by Janal Bechthold along with Moscow Apartment (Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla).” 

Full review: www.hnmag.ca

The Western Star – Review: Brave Little Army – Oct. 23, 2018

“The new kid in school, a punk-rocker in a leather jacket, is an inspiration to a group of schoolgirls, who quickly add this unique individual to their friend group, becoming a dynamic quartet of fearless badasses.”

Full review: www.thewesternstar.com

VOCM News – Interview: Brave Little Army – Oct. 22, 2018

“Toronto based filmmaker Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt wrote and directed the short film “Brave Little Army” which screened yesterday. She says the festival has inspired her. D’Alessandro Hatt attended the festival last year as an actress. She made lasting connections and felt empowered to take on her own project.”

Full article: www.vocm.com