Absolutely Sweet Marie Film
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Satire
Teenage Marie Antoinette plucks an iPhone from an apple tree, and online relationship advice pushes her to change herself, trying to make her aloof husband Louis take interest in her. Absolutely Sweet Marie explores the cost of chasing approval, revealing love can’t be won by changing yourself.
Absolutely Sweet Marie Film
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Satire
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,010 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
62 supporters | followers
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Teenage Marie Antoinette plucks an iPhone from an apple tree, and online relationship advice pushes her to change herself, trying to make her aloof husband Louis take interest in her. Absolutely Sweet Marie explores the cost of chasing approval, revealing love can’t be won by changing yourself.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Brought to you by a team of NYU students, Absolutely Sweet Marie combines screenwriter Lana Spota’s naturalistic, Mumblecore-inspired dialogue in relationships with director Carolyn Robertson’s new story concept. Our team aims to achieve the touching visuals of films like Portrait of a Lady on Fire, while incorporating the modern satire-comedy of period shows like The Great.
Discover more below, meet our team, and see how you can join us bringing this story to life!
Welcome to a Tale as Old as Time...
Story Synopsis:
French teenage Queen-To-Be Marie Antoinette is picking apples in the palace orchard when she magically finds an iPhone from the future. Confused but curious, she tosses it into her basket. Back in her chambers, the cell phone turns on, bombarding her with a whirlwind of modern relationship advice through ridiculous TikToks. As Marie tries to make sense of this absurd world, she begins to notice the cracks in her marriage to Louis Auguste.
At first, she tries to follow the modern advice, changing in all sorts of drastic ways to please Louis, but his constant romantic disinterest only fuels her frustration. This is her "villain origin story," one could say, offering a unique take on self-destruction and giving a cathartic, alternative ending of self-acceptance to Marie.
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Our short film is based on Marie Antoinette’s real life and true story with Louis Auguste, similar to many modern relationships that can often feel one-sided and emotionally draining. Marie constantly seeks love and acceptance from Louis, and when she doesn’t receive validation, it sparks a relatable rage.
We aim to unpack the struggle for reciprocated love that everyone relates to either in romantic, familial, or friendship relationships across all historical eras and cultures.
Absolutely Sweet Marie views Marie Antoinette’s world through a modern lens, showing how social media shapes young people’s ideas of love. In our film, many cast members will create TikToks satirizing trends like Trad Wives, pick-me girls, and princess treatment, giving Marie a chance to react. In doing so, the film uniquely explores today’s online culture.
.png)
This story is told through satirical comedy and heavy dialouge. This captures Marie's journey through waves of self-improvement, identity shifts, and the endless mission to “perfect" relationships which mirrors what many people feel today. Her experience reflects the truth of modern relationships: we are constantly pressured to be more, to find someone fast, and to avoid being alone at all costs.
We aim to remove the stigma around being alone and being yourself: showing that real catharsis comes from self-acceptance, not changing to please others.
.png)
MEET THE DIRECTOR:
Carolyn Robertson is a 20-year-old New York City-based filmmaker from Scottsdale, Arizona. She founded her production company Scarlet Door Films in 2023, centering female and international narratives highlighting history. Her documentary Paper Prayers, exploring the Hiroshima bombing and peace movement, has screened in an award-winning festival run internationally.
Her narrative short film Icebreaker was an official selection of the All American High School Film Festival, and won the NATAS Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter Emmy Award for Best High School Fiction Short Form. Now a sophomore pursuing her BFA in Film & TV Production at NYU, Carolyn continues to develop narrative and documentary work while collaborating across directing, producing, and editing.
STATEMENT FROM CAROLYN:
"Everyone knows Marie Antoinette for the grandeur and infamy of her story, but far fewer know the small personal moments of her life and relationships, and how, despite the very different time and circumstances, her experiences are still relatable.
Upon reading about her marriage with Louis Auguste in the novel Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund, I wondered, “'What would happen if Marie Antoinette had a modern-day smartphone, bombarding her with conflicting relationship advice?”' I'm excited to explore this question in the filming of Absolutely Sweet Marie with your support! Thank you."
.png)
And this is only the beginning...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BUT, HOW AND WHEN WILL WE DO ALL THIS?
Check out our timeline...
.png)
& MEET OUR CAST BRINGING THIS TALE TO LIFE!
We are so excited to be working with this amazing NYU cast already, dedicated to telling this story.
We now just need your support to make Absolutely Sweet Marie a reality!
.png)
Your contributions will help us create Marie's world in NYC.
We’re raising funds to cover:
- Location
- Transportation for cast and crew
- Meals during production
- Camera and equipment rentals
- Production insurance
- Props and production design, including period-inspired elements to achieve an authentic 18th century look.
- Costume design, sourcing, and fittings
- Distribution
Thank you so much for supporting this passion project. Beyond financial contributions, you can also help by sharing this page or our Instagram (@absolutelysweetmariefilm) with anyone who might be interested!
Here is a pre-typed example that you are welcome to copy and paste!
Help support @caarolynrobertson in making historical satire short film @absolutelysweetmariefilm — a story where Marie Antoinette is sucked down a social media rabbit hole after discovering an iPhone from the future. Be a part of highlighting this female-driven story, boldly blending history and modern times!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $2,000
Secures a period-inspired bedroom space that visually grounds the film in Marie Antoinette’s world.
Equipment
Costs $1,000
Essential camera, sound, and lighting gear to capture the film with professional quality!
Meals for Cast/Crew
Costs $700
Provides meals to keep our student cast and crew energized and cared for during two long shoot days.
Transportation
Costs $600
Helps our cast and crew travel safely to and from the location during our two-day shoot.
Costumes/ Makeup/ Hair
Costs $700
Help fund renting + dry cleaning period costumes, tailoring, wigs, and accessories as true to the time period as possible.
Production Design
Costs $500
Covers bedding, candles, props, small set dressing, and any rentals or returnable purchases needed to dress the space.
Production Insurance
Costs $500
Covers required short-term production insurance, including general liability, equipment coverage, and location certificates for filming.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Brought to you by a team of NYU students, Absolutely Sweet Marie combines screenwriter Lana Spota’s naturalistic, Mumblecore-inspired dialogue in relationships with director Carolyn Robertson’s new story concept. Our team aims to achieve the touching visuals of films like Portrait of a Lady on Fire, while incorporating the modern satire-comedy of period shows like The Great.
Discover more below, meet our team, and see how you can join us bringing this story to life!
Welcome to a Tale as Old as Time...
Story Synopsis:
French teenage Queen-To-Be Marie Antoinette is picking apples in the palace orchard when she magically finds an iPhone from the future. Confused but curious, she tosses it into her basket. Back in her chambers, the cell phone turns on, bombarding her with a whirlwind of modern relationship advice through ridiculous TikToks. As Marie tries to make sense of this absurd world, she begins to notice the cracks in her marriage to Louis Auguste.
At first, she tries to follow the modern advice, changing in all sorts of drastic ways to please Louis, but his constant romantic disinterest only fuels her frustration. This is her "villain origin story," one could say, offering a unique take on self-destruction and giving a cathartic, alternative ending of self-acceptance to Marie.
Our short film is based on Marie Antoinette’s real life and true story with Louis Auguste, similar to many modern relationships that can often feel one-sided and emotionally draining. Marie constantly seeks love and acceptance from Louis, and when she doesn’t receive validation, it sparks a relatable rage.
We aim to unpack the struggle for reciprocated love that everyone relates to either in romantic, familial, or friendship relationships across all historical eras and cultures.
Absolutely Sweet Marie views Marie Antoinette’s world through a modern lens, showing how social media shapes young people’s ideas of love. In our film, many cast members will create TikToks satirizing trends like Trad Wives, pick-me girls, and princess treatment, giving Marie a chance to react. In doing so, the film uniquely explores today’s online culture.
This story is told through satirical comedy and heavy dialouge. This captures Marie's journey through waves of self-improvement, identity shifts, and the endless mission to “perfect" relationships which mirrors what many people feel today. Her experience reflects the truth of modern relationships: we are constantly pressured to be more, to find someone fast, and to avoid being alone at all costs.
We aim to remove the stigma around being alone and being yourself: showing that real catharsis comes from self-acceptance, not changing to please others.
MEET THE DIRECTOR:
Carolyn Robertson is a 20-year-old New York City-based filmmaker from Scottsdale, Arizona. She founded her production company Scarlet Door Films in 2023, centering female and international narratives highlighting history. Her documentary Paper Prayers, exploring the Hiroshima bombing and peace movement, has screened in an award-winning festival run internationally.
Her narrative short film Icebreaker was an official selection of the All American High School Film Festival, and won the NATAS Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter Emmy Award for Best High School Fiction Short Form. Now a sophomore pursuing her BFA in Film & TV Production at NYU, Carolyn continues to develop narrative and documentary work while collaborating across directing, producing, and editing.
STATEMENT FROM CAROLYN:
"Everyone knows Marie Antoinette for the grandeur and infamy of her story, but far fewer know the small personal moments of her life and relationships, and how, despite the very different time and circumstances, her experiences are still relatable.
Upon reading about her marriage with Louis Auguste in the novel Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund, I wondered, “'What would happen if Marie Antoinette had a modern-day smartphone, bombarding her with conflicting relationship advice?”' I'm excited to explore this question in the filming of Absolutely Sweet Marie with your support! Thank you."
And this is only the beginning...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BUT, HOW AND WHEN WILL WE DO ALL THIS?
Check out our timeline...
& MEET OUR CAST BRINGING THIS TALE TO LIFE!
We are so excited to be working with this amazing NYU cast already, dedicated to telling this story.
We now just need your support to make Absolutely Sweet Marie a reality!
Your contributions will help us create Marie's world in NYC.
We’re raising funds to cover:
- Location
- Transportation for cast and crew
- Meals during production
- Camera and equipment rentals
- Production insurance
- Props and production design, including period-inspired elements to achieve an authentic 18th century look.
- Costume design, sourcing, and fittings
- Distribution
Thank you so much for supporting this passion project. Beyond financial contributions, you can also help by sharing this page or our Instagram (@absolutelysweetmariefilm) with anyone who might be interested!
Here is a pre-typed example that you are welcome to copy and paste!
Help support @caarolynrobertson in making historical satire short film @absolutelysweetmariefilm — a story where Marie Antoinette is sucked down a social media rabbit hole after discovering an iPhone from the future. Be a part of highlighting this female-driven story, boldly blending history and modern times!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $2,000
Secures a period-inspired bedroom space that visually grounds the film in Marie Antoinette’s world.
Equipment
Costs $1,000
Essential camera, sound, and lighting gear to capture the film with professional quality!
Meals for Cast/Crew
Costs $700
Provides meals to keep our student cast and crew energized and cared for during two long shoot days.
Transportation
Costs $600
Helps our cast and crew travel safely to and from the location during our two-day shoot.
Costumes/ Makeup/ Hair
Costs $700
Help fund renting + dry cleaning period costumes, tailoring, wigs, and accessories as true to the time period as possible.
Production Design
Costs $500
Covers bedding, candles, props, small set dressing, and any rentals or returnable purchases needed to dress the space.
Production Insurance
Costs $500
Covers required short-term production insurance, including general liability, equipment coverage, and location certificates for filming.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team!