Benjamin Sarno on the Inspiration of “A Broken Heart & the Immortal Hen”
Screenwriter Benjamin Sarno recently sat down for an exclusive interview, providing insights into the creation and evolution of his screenplay, “A Broken Heart & the Immortal Hen.” The screenplay is an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival taking place February 12-17th in Utah County, Utah.
Sarno delves into the origins of the script, “It’s often challenging to pinpoint an exact origin for a script, and sometimes it’s easy” said Sarno.
Revealing that the idea sprouted from a resilient hen that defied the odds. The narrative intertwines elements from Sarno’s tumultuous teenage years. “Other factors, such as my single mom holding it down as best she could, my Grandpa with his racing pigeons, Grandma with dementia,… well, in a nutshell, that’s the script. It all came together, over the course of a year plus.”
As Sarno reflects on the character development in the screenplay, he emphasizes the unpredictable evolution of characters in the writing process.
“As a script writer, I believe, oddly enough, that our characters take a life of their own. Whether they’re completely fabricated, or based loosely on people, they become real life personas. Why else would we laugh and cry reading these scripts on multiple edits? It’s because we learn to understand these creations of ours. They evolve. And you truly, speaking for myself, never know where that evolution will go.”
The screenwriter candidly discusses the challenges of screenwriting, from the initial creation of a rough draft to the demanding process of rewrites. Sarno admits to occasionally setting aside a script, only to revisit it months later, searching for the energy that fueled its inception.
“Circling back to a script later is equally challenging, trying to locate the energy that brought you there to begin with. The third difficult stage are the rewrites. Especially when your tough editor has no mercy with their red pen!”
On a brighter note, Sarno shares the most enjoyable aspect of the craft—the exhilarating moment when a script feels solid, after numerous edits and script readings. He hints at the joy of realizing a script may be festival-worthy, a testament to the dedication and passion invested in the storytelling process.
In terms of future collaborations, Sarno expresses his openness to filmmakers interested in optioning his screenplay or collaborating on new projects. He encourages reaching out via email and expresses a particular interest in independent films, noting their often stronger and more compelling narratives.
“A Broken Heart & the Immortal Hen” is an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival taking place February 12-17th in Utah County, Utah.
