Our project!

Magpie Optical is a story about found family, loneliness, and finding connection in old age. The film centers around the loneliest people in the loneliest corner of town: Boris, the stoic optometrist, Oswald, the widower florist, and Madge, the batty yet lovable old woman.  After the unexpected death of Madge’s sister, Boris must shed his personal reservations in connecting with his clients and provide comfort in a difficult time. In the beginning of the film, Boris starts as cold and reserved, expressing annoyance and impatience with his eclectic regulars. As the film goes on, he warms up to these friendly faces, and eventually finds comfort in his newfound friends. It is a heart warming and relatable tale that resonates with audiences old and young, and presents a strong case for optimism in an ever isolating world.

Madaleine Kotary - Director

Madaleine is a filmmaker and artist whose passion for storytelling brought her to study film production with minors in French language and studio art at Boston University. Her experience ranges from writing and directing narrative shorts within the BU community, to working professionally in the art department both locally and abroad, to translating in pre-production for Paris-based producers. Through her art, she seeks to create new worlds, explore those existing, and embrace life’s absurdity.

Noah Lapid - Producer

Noah is a senior at Boston University studying Film and TV with concentrations in directing and producing. As a producer, he loves playing the role of facilitator, ensuring that all the resources are in place for his team to create a meaningful and beautiful story. He aims to stay on the East Coast post-grad and continue to help produce inventive stories like Magpie Optical!

Max Tanzer - Cinematographer

Max Tanzer is a senior at Boston University, studying film and television withs  focus in cinematography. He was interested in filmmaking at a very young age. He loves the excitement and collaboration from set and aims to become a cinematographer after graduation.

Emily Ma- Production Designer

Emily is currently finishing her Film and Psychology dual degree at Boston University. She has extensive experience working as a production designer for many genres of film. She fell in love with production design few years ago when she recognizes that she could build an immersive reality that the audience can get lost in. Emily is constantly looking for new challenges and is excited to explore new genres.

What We Need

Here is the breakdown of our budget! Aesthetically, our heaviest lifts are the formidable duo of locations and production design. Shooting on location in local establishments can be somewhat expensive, as shops have to close their stores to accommodate our project. Production design costs add up as we dress our sets to feel timeless and unique. Logistically, transportation of people and equipment, working with local rental houses, and keeping our cast and crew fed and happy are all inevitable but costly parts of making a film. With your help, the burden of these costs will be lighter, allowing us to give the project the creative attention it deserves!

Director's Statement

Loneliness is a universal burden. The withering of bonds, just as the blooming of friendships, has its season. The optical practice of Dr. Boris Zimmer is a place of consistency that provides an unlikely source of order and comfort for the widowerhood florist, Oswald, and the estranged, curmudgeonly lady, Madge, who both frequent the shop more than their eyes require. The precise Dr. Zimmer is a privately sad man who shuts down his patients’ attempts for connection, unable to connect his passionate practice with his lacking life after hours. In the wake of tragedy, the three come together in the timeless world of Magpie Optical, learning to lean on each other and find community beyond their daily transactions.

At its core, Magpie Optical is a hopeful story of found family that explores the dimensions of loneliness through the private lives and ordinary interactions of  Boris, Madge and Oswald. 

It is a dream to have been given the opportunity to bring this story to life alongside some of the most talented crew and actors I have had the pleasure of collaborating with. The dedication and ambition of this team has been inspiring to witness and has already strengthened the story itself. The heart of Magpie Optical is about  coming together as a community, and as we begin production, we need community support now more than ever.  We invite you to join us on our journey, to be a part of bringing Magpie Optical to life. Your support is invaluable to us and our story.

-Madaleine Kotary