Westermarck Effect — We are moving stories (2025)

Westermarck Effect tells the unsettling and intriguing story of a biological mother who falls romantically in love with her estranged son 20 years after giving him up for adoption.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Saara Lamberg

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I had just completed my first feature Innuendo and had heard about the first film trap that many directors fall into and never get past their first work. I decided I wasn't going to join that queue and instead, used the momentum of my first film to help me make the second one.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Westermarck Effect tells a controversial and taboo love story between a biological mother and her son. It's unlike anything you have seen before.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I always tap into my own human experience in terms of emotional responses, and viewers comment my films feel very personal. The story is fictional, based on a true phenomenon that has been universally recorded but not well known because of its taboo nature. Universal themes about "falling in love with a wrong person" will resonate across the board with anyone that has ever felt like their relationship wouldn't be accepted for one reason or another.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

In all the usual ways from changing drafts to filming the ninth, to unusual ways of having a completed film and the world closing down because of the pandemic.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

https://www.filmandtvnow.com/cannes-2022-world-premiere-review-westermarck-effect

https://filmblitz.org/westermarck-effect-2022/

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I always expected this film to be a challenge and it has delivered in that.

I almost forgot how dark it was because I didn't see it for about a year due to pandemic delays. I have been surprised at just how differently people react to the characters and the storyline. Whilst some have condemned and judged my characters' choices harshly, others have empathized with them and seen the story as a love story.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I just want more people to see my work. I don't make films for myself and as an independent filmmaker, accessing promoters or advertising is practically impossible and I need all the help I can get in spreading the message.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists, distributors, film festival directors and buyers.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I think my role is to tell a story and to ask questions, even if they are hard ones. I believe my job is to start conversations. I just want to tell an emotionally gripping story that will challenge the viewer to form their own opinions about the subject matter.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is consensual love between two adults anyone else's business?

Is there such a thing as loving someone that's "wrong for you"?

Is offspring in between relatives a good idea?

Do we have a choice over our emotions about love?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Next features: The Lies We Tell Ourselves (2023), Conversations with Spithead (2024), COMA (2025)

Westermarck Effect

Westermarck Effect tells the unsettling and intriguing story of a biological mother who falls romantically in love with her estranged son 20 years after giving him up for adoption.

Length: 1:36:00

Director: Saara Lamberg

Producer: Saara Lamberg

Writer: Saara Lamberg

About the writer, director and producer:

Finnish Australian SAARA LAMBERG is a director, actor, writer and producer. She has received several awards for her work, including Best Film at five international festivals, Best Director at two festivals and various other awards. Her first feature film Innuendo was at Cinema Nova, and on Australian free-to-air television. Westermarck Effect is her second feature. She is in production with her third feature The Lies We Tell Ourselves.

Key cast: Saara Lamberg (Sally), Jayden Denke (Sam)

Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, buyers and journalists

Facebook: Saara Lamberg, Westermarck Effect

Twitter: @saaralamberg

Instagram: @saaralambergofficial

Hashtags used: #westermarckeffectmovie

Other: IMDb

Funders: Crowd funded with executive producers

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

LIDO cinemas, Hawthorne, 2nd February 7pm
https://www.lidocinemas.com.au/movies/westermarck-effect