Alumnus’s award-winning film portrays life following terminal cancer diagnosis

Photo courtesy of Ariel Heller

Ariel Heller sat up in bed when he read the original script for his Student Academy Award-winning thesis film last spring. Upon reading it, Heller knew then he had to bring the script to life.

The script was written by alumnus Celia Rettenmaeier for a simulated studio-like production course, CTPR 546, Heller was in. It was originally titled “Blue Gatorade and Cheetos,” but over the course of the year, Heller and Rettenmaeier developed the script into Mammoth, a film following two brothers embarking on a journey to Mammoth Lakes after one discovers he is diagnosed with terminally ill cancer.

With its compelling characters and visuals, Mammoth won a silver medal for best narrative film by a U.S. school for the Student Academy Awards. An alumnus of the USC Cinematic Arts program, Heller was one of two USC student recipient filmmakers awarded this season.

Heller recalled the developmental process for the film as streamlined and uncomplicated after sitting down with Rettenmaier. The original script could not be made in the production course because of its 12-minute time constraint, but the possibility of Rettenmaier’s script making it into Heller’s thesis film was a viable option. Rettenmaier agreed and Heller began adapting the script, then shooting the film in December 2016.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from Emerson College in Boston, Heller moved to New York City and began working as a stage actor in the Blue Man Group and the critically acclaimed Broadway play War Horse. In 2014, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a master’s degree at USC.

Heller credits renowned filmmakers such as Alexander Payne, Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jones as an early influence on his writing and directing style.

“The kind of humor and sensibility, and edge and tone that those guys get has always been what I’m after,” Heller said. “It comes in performance and complexities in relationships … mixed with the absurdity of life and how ridiculous things are and the ability to laugh at ourselves, feel pain and be vulnerable.”

The 22-minute film focuses on two brothers, played by Tad Cooley and Alex Hoeffler, grappling with themes of death, time and acceptance as one of them battles terminal cancer. Mammoth explores juxtaposing visuals and tone, with dark humor accompanied by vast seclusions of Northern California winter landscape.

Heller petitioned at USC to include his own brother Caleb Heller, an American Film Institute graduate, as director of photography for Mammoth.

The title of the film takes also on a double entendre, according to Heller.

“[Mammoth is] not just the physical place, but the size of the decision, the size of the symbology of the biggest and last decision you’ll ever make,” Heller said.

As a director, Heller doesn’t shy away from political stances. He openly creates statements emphasizing “death with dignity” or the “right-to-die” laws for patients battling terminal illnesses.

“The reason why I was so compelled with the story is because death with dignity — as a cause in this country and a law — is one that had caught my eye a few years back,” Heller said.

He specifically mentioned the controversial Brittany Maynard case, in which a 29-year-old woman decided to take her life after learning she had terminal brain cancer. The case propelled California to pass a law in June 2016, allowing individuals with a terminal diagnosis the right to physician-assisted suicide.

Heller wanted to ensure Mammoth did not fall into the category of a soapbox film; he instead displays his point of view through the dynamic relationships of his characters.

“It’s an opportunity to shed a light on something through a real moment, through a real relationship, one that’s more nuanced and more complicated,” Heller said. “I hope that anyone who comes to see the film who might otherwise be skeptical or in opposition to that right, might walk away from this movie seeing value in affording people the privilege to be in control at the end.”