Three's Company: Director Matthew Puccini on his Sundance-Bound Short Film 'Lavender'

When looking at more than 40 (out of 73) entries in the short film programs at this year's Sundance Film Festival, IndieWire came up with what they called "ten must-see gems." Amongst them is "Lavender," writer/director Matthew Puccini's entry in the Narrative Shorts program that depicts the interaction between a younger man and two older ones. "Cinematic depictions of a m�nage � trois relationship are nothing new," reads the IndieWire preview. "But writer-director Matthew Puccini wins over the viewer from the very first frame of 'Lavender' and continues to weave a powerful spell for the next 11-minutes as he tells the story of a younger man involved with an older couple."

When asked about the film, Pucinni told Indiewire that the key to the film's success came with its casting. "It still feels like a coup that we ended up with the talent that we have; Michael Hsu Rosen, Michael Urie (from the recent Broadway revival of "Torch Song") and Ken Barnett all do such gorgeous, nuanced work in this piece. It was an even crazier coincidence that they all already knew each other. It made developing their rapport and shared history that much easier."

According to his website, the 28-year old, Brooklyn based filmmaker is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. His short film "The Mess He Made" premiered at SXSW 2017, was selected as "Short of the Week," and was a finalist for the Iris Prize. His short documentary "Marquise" was distributed by Topic. Matthew is a 2018 Sundance Ignite Fellow, a member of the 2017 New York Film Festival Artist Academy, a recipient of the 2017 Richie Jackson Artist Fellowship and a Creative Culture Fellow at the Jacob Burns Film Center.

"Lavender" is a tender, poignant look at an unconventional relationship that develops between Andy, a younger man (Rosen) who becomes involved with an older couple, Arthur and Lucas (Urie and Barnett). What had started off as a casual hookup has quickly evolved into something far more intimate, leaving Andy to navigate Arthur and Lucas' dreamy lifestyle and marriage.

EDGE: What motivated you to want to get involved in filmmaking?

Matthew Puccini: Great question! I felt like I kind of stumbled into it. I was mainly doing theater in high school because my school didn't have a film program. I did fall in love with acting, but I quickly realized that I was better suited to be working behind the scenes instead of performing myself. It wasn't until college that I discovered what I wanted to make movies about. It was there that I started to realize that films can be more personal, and I began tapping into my own experiences.

EDGE: Which part of the filmmaking process do you love the most?

Matthew Puccini: It is working with actors. I like creating something from the void and then seeing the actors bring your words to life. If you are working with the right actors, they bring something unique to your project and often elevate your material.

EDGE: Even though the film is about 11 minutes, how long did it take for you to make it?

Matthew Puccini: I wrote the first draft in December of 2017 and we finished the film in October of 2018. So, just under a year. We spent a few months in pre-production. We filmed it in May and then spent a few months in post-production.

EDGE: What inspired you to tell the story of "Lavender"?

Matthew Puccini: The film is partially based on and inspired by a personal experience. I had been spending some significance time with an older gay couple back in 2017. I realized through that experience that the lifestyle and maturity of their relationship is that that I wanted for myself. That realization turned into this film.

Michael Hsu Rosen in "Lavender."

EDGE: Is a polyamorous relationship sustainable?

Matthew Puccini: Absolutely! I think there have been a lot of people who have found really meaningful intimacy in an unconventional relationship. I think the portrait of them in the media is often something that leads to jealousy and is not sustainable. I think that if there are three people who all love each other there is no reason that they shouldn't be together.

EDGE: If you could sum up "Lavender" in one word, what would it be?

Matthew Puccini: Intimacy.

EDGE: Why does the relationship ultimately unravel?

Matthew Puccini: I don't want to say too much about that without giving away the plot of the film. What I can say is that that is really about the younger character realizing that if he wants their lifestyle and their quality of relationship that he is going to have to create it for himself.

Queer representation

EDGE: Would you seek out this type of relationship again?

Matthew Puccini: I am currently in a relationship that is not polyamorous. I wouldn't not say no to it in the future if it was right. The film was more about painting a picture of an unconventional relationship in a tender and honest way. I really tried to challenge some of the stigma around it.

EDGE: As a young filmmaker, why does queer representation matter in films and television?

Matthew Puccini: There are so many reasons why it matters. One of them is that queer people should be telling their stories and having their voices heard. It is important for us to see ourselves represented on screen in a complicated and affirming way, so that we are aware of what our options are.

EDGE: How has making your film changed you, both as a person and as a filmmaker?

Matthew Puccini: I think those answers are overlapping in a lot of ways. I think making this film has challenged me to be more honest with myself about my own wants and needs when it comes to intimacy. As a filmmaker, it has told me when you are making a film its vital to take care of yourself and that making a movie is an incredibly difficult task and it is easy to get wrapped up in that. I am very lucky that it got into Sundance and that it is going to have a life of its own. It's a huge honor, and we are all excited that the film has a home.

"Lavender" will have its World Premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival! Check out .

For more information on Matthew and his new short film Lavender, visit visit his website.