THE COVERUP FAQS
- What inspired you to make this film?
Malina: I was walking to class one day when I hugged a friend and suffered a severe allergic reaction to his cologne. I researched the ingredients in his product and found that it contained chemicals linked to cancer, allergies, and birth defects. Shocked, I researched my own products and found that they, too, contained chemicals associated with adverse health effects. As a documentary student with a passion for health, the environment and women’s studies, I decided to create a short documentary on this important topic for my senior thesis. The response I received was so phenomenal that it encouraged me to expand the film into a full feature, which is currently in pre-production. - Why should people watch and support this film?
Lynn: This is a deeply important topic that affects us all. Few people are aware of how many products they use, and even fewer know what’s in them. We tend to trust that if you can buy it from a store then it is safe, when in reality this isn’t always the case. With increasing scientific research raising more concerns, along with inadequate laws “regulating” this $250 billion a year industry, people need to start taking their health into their own hands, and this film will teach them how to do that. In order to create such a film we need your help by donating and sharing this with your family, friends and loved ones. - What drives you to make this film?
Malina: Three of my grandparents died of cancer, including my grandmother who passed away at the age of 23 from breast cancer. The rates of cancer and so many other diseases are dramatically rising, and scientists are linking some of the chemicals in our environment to these startling trends. Today’s children are dealing with the highest rates of serious illnesses we’ve ever seen and we need to start putting our energy into prevention. - How is this film different from other documentaries on the subject of chemicals?
Lynn: THE COVERUP is the first feature documentary of its kind dedicated solely to cosmetics and personal care products. This solution oriented film will empower consumers to make healthier choices, motivate companies to create safer products, and provide political leaders with information to protect the public. - What do you hope to accomplish with this film?
Malina: Our goal is to educate and empower our viewers with a sense of urgency to act. The movement toward safer cosmetics is growing and we believe THE COVERUP will create a tipping point in consumer awareness around this topic. We also feel it will serve as a gateway for people to become part of a much larger conversation on chemical regulations and innovations. - You’re a mother-daughter team making this film – do you have anything funny to share?
Lynn: When Malina was young and we went shopping, I always knew where to find her — she’d be in the cosmetics aisle smelling and sampling all the lotions and trying to convince me to buy her another bottle of nail polish. I find it rather amusing that she is STILL in the cosmetics aisle after all these years, but for a different reason – she is reading the labels, scrutinizing every ingredient, and filming products on the shelf. Malina: It’s pretty cool for me to be making this film with my mom – she’s been reading the ingredient labels since before it was cool and has greatly influenced me to pursue this documentary. As a health practitioner she wouldn’t let me use antiperspirants in high school, and although I may not have appreciated it at the time, I am grateful now.
To learn more about the film and see a trailer, visit thecoverupfilm.com.
Contact malina@thecoverupfilm.com to schedule an interview.