We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marie-Eva Volmar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marie-Eva thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My name is Marie-Eva Volmar, the owner and operator of Dallada Films. I am excited to announce the upcoming release of our powerful and thought-provoking film, ‘Boy Soul Man Heart.’ This film tackles the often overlooked topic of male sexual abuse.

‘Boy Soul Man Heart’ is my debut as a writer, director, and producer. My goal with this film is to break the silence and challenge the stigma surrounding male sexual abuse. Society often dismisses and misunderstands this issue, and I want to change that.

The inspiration behind ‘Boy Soul Man Heart’ is deeply personal to me. As the oldest sibling of many brothers, I have gained a unique understanding of the male psyche and the specific traumas they face. Taking care of one of my youngest brothers inspired me to shed light on the impact of sexual abuse on males and how it affects their masculinity and how society perceives males.

The film follows Mathias, the only male member of a support group for female survivors of sexual abuse. Through his vulnerability and strength, he shares his harrowing experiences of being raped and molested 400 times. The screenplay presents a powerful narrative that explores the sensitive and often underrepresented topic of male sexual abuse.

‘Boy Soul Man Heart’ aims to bring attention to the experiences of male survivors and the importance of breaking the silence surrounding this issue. It provides a platform for survivors to share their stories and advocates for greater awareness and support for all victims of sexual abuse.

The play ends with a heartfelt poem that delves into the societal pressures placed on men and the importance of allowing boys to freely express their emotions and not expect males to be super humans.

I strongly believe that if men were given the freedom to openly share their feelings, we could potentially decrease the alarmingly high rate of male suicides, which surpasses that of females. Surprisingly, the National Library of Medicine reveals that women are twice as prone to major depression compared to men, yet men are four times more likely to die by suicide. This alarming statistic highlights the importance of breaking down societal expectations of masculinity and creating safe spaces for men to express their emotions.

Dallada Films is committed to creating films that make a difference, and ‘Boy Soul Man Heart’ is no exception. Through Mathias’s story and the experiences of other survivors, the film serves as a platform for advocacy and raises awareness about the importance of breaking the silence surrounding male sexual abuse.

Marie-Eva, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a creative, I find inspiration in the human experience, both from my own life and from the world around me. The profound impact of being born on Earth, a planet teeming with mysteries yet to be uncovered, and being given human form, is a source of great inspiration for artists and entrepreneurs.

While Dallada Films may be a new production company, I am no stranger to the business world. I started my own software and design business while in College about a decade ago. Although I always had an artistic side, it’s interesting how the Universe can lead you down unexpected paths to teach us what we need to know for the future. I believe it was a necessary detour for me to learn the ropes of the business world before diving into the hard industry of films which is a tough artistic business.

My interest in filmmaking began during a high school English project. Collaborating with two classmates, we created a short film exploring themes of weight loss and self-image. While not technically perfect, this project sparked my passion for filmmaking and set me on a path towards my future.

After high school, I continued to pursue my love for film and music as hobbies. I delved into creating music videos, producing documentaries for my tech company, and honing my skills in video editing software. Embracing new technologies and a thirst for knowledge will hopefully allow me to grow in the filmmaking industry.

Establishing Dallada Films was a natural progression for me, as I wanted to tell stories that delve into themes of identity, belonging, and the human experience. Through my company, I strive to amplify diverse voices and create inclusive narratives that resonate globally. My journey from an orphan in Haiti to a successful creative storyteller is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of dreams. I advocate for underrepresented communities and use my platform to shed light on important issues, inspiring others to follow their passions with determination.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was born on February 5th, 1990, in the charming town of Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye, Haiti. Unfortunately, my early years were marked by sadness as I lost both my parents at a very young age. I was then taken to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, where I stayed for a few years until I was adopted by a middle-class Canadian couple when I was three and a half years old. They gave me a new name, Bianca Bisson, but as time went on, I decided to reconnect with my Haitian roots and changed my name back to Marie-Eva Volmar, which was the name given to me by my biological Haitian mother.

My deep connection to my heritage is evident in every aspect of my life and work. Growing up as a Haitian adoptee in a troubled adoptive home fueled my determination to make a meaningful impact in the world. Although my adoptive parents did their best to provide us with the necessities of life such as shelter, food, water, and clothing, they, like everyone else, had their own flaws and personal issues. Only Jesus is perfect, right?

During my early years, I faced challenges with self-esteem and anxiety, which were further compounded by being one of the few black individuals in the town where I grew up. I experienced inhumane bullying, physical abuse where kids would gang up on me and beat me until I bled, and discrimination due to the color of my skin throughout elementary and high school. I remember this one time when two older kids followed me, throwing rocks and shouting hurtful things like “go back to your country!” It happened when I was in elementary school, and those kids were teenagers. Thankfully, an adult saw what was happening and came to my rescue, scaring them away. Unfortunately, this is just one of the many sad stories I have from that time. Some of them are too awful and disturbing to share in an interview like this.

I have witnessed many Haitian adoptees who have struggled with their mental health and even tragically taken their own lives. The stigma surrounding Haiti is already burdensome, and being orphaned adds another layer of complexity and trauma. Haitians are often misunderstood, stigmatized, and marginalized due to our rich yet troubling history and ancestry.

My long-term goal in life is to be alive long enough to become a source of hope and resilience for my fellow Haitians. I want them to see that we can overcome adversity. Far too many Haitian adoptees suffer from mental illness or end their lives prematurely. I have personally witnessed the devastating impact of this, as a friend’s brother took his own life by hanging himself in a tree behind his adoptive mother’s home.

If I can bring healing and inspiration through my life and work, not only in film and the arts, but in everything else I do, I believe that my life will have purpose and meaning.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I created Dallada Films with a peculiar vision and objective to solve the inequality problem in the entertainment industry.

Dallada Films recognize the challenges faced by underrepresented communities in today’s media and entertainment landscape. These communities often find themselves marginalized, with limited opportunities for meaningful roles and creative expression. The persistent issues of misrepresentation, underemployment, and underpayment of minorities hinder the telling of diverse stories. This lack of representation not only perpetuates stereotypes but also limits the diversity of narratives that reach global audiences internationally. It is imperative that we tackle this disparity, not only for the sake of fairness and equality but also to tap into the immense talent and perspectives that remain untapped.

By addressing these systemic issues, we aim to create an entertainment industry that is more inclusive and authentic, resonating with audiences worldwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dalladafilms.com
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/fRa4K1nlntY?si=DTY8Pgqi4L28mYlK
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31149680/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk