Christodoulos Kigmalis

Christodoulos Kigmalis studied film history, evolution of cinematic language, practices and basic principles of directing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He has been actively involved in screenwriting since 2019. In 2023 he wrote and directed his first short film "The White Rose".

Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
First of all, thank you very much for choosing my film in your festival. It is a great honor. It is a lifelong dream come true. The White Rose is a film that clearly captures my everyday life after the death of my parents. It's the struggle going on inside me between the two selves I've gained since losing them. Of the one who has accepted it and the other who is not going to admit that he will never see them again.Grief can unfortunately make you the best and the worst person in the world at the same time.

What are your ambitions with your project?
I wanted to make a film to dedicate it to my parents who I love so much and will always want to be admired from up there. My ambition with this film is to be shown around the world through global distribution. I'm sure that many people who have lost a loved one will see a lot of themselves through the white rose.

Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Shooting was a unique experience for me. Many things pleasantly surprised me. The house where we shot most of the interior scenes is a real house owned by a very good friend who gave us permission to shoot there. This film could not have been made without him. The weather helped us a lot during the outdoor shooting. But the most important thing is the beautiful atmosphere and the chemistry of my partners. The captivating and award-winning performance of Manos Bartis, the guest star Vasilis Kamitsis, the experienced cinematographer and editor Nikos Psarros and Giannis Androulakakis who designed the sound. For me, good partners are like a small family that always strives for the best result.

For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
There is no target group for the white rose. This movie really touches everyone regardless of their age. The white rose goes out to everyone who has lost someone.  
Why should distributors buy your film?
Distributors should buy this film because it uniquely handles the grieving of losing a parent and is very moving. It is a story with universal appeal that touches each of us who have lost someone we love dearly. It has also won 100+ awards from major film festivals in 35 countries, so this is an additional incentive for someone to watch and buy it.

How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?  
My film is very much a mix of cinema and theatrical monologue. After all, it is based on a theatrical monologue called "Wrong Era”
I had written him in the past needing to contact my parents.
To talk to them. As for the actors I work with, I want to give them interpretative freedom so that I get the best result. I like twists. Without a twist there is no interest in a film. The world of creativity is open and free. I love exploring him. And, when something doesn't exist, to create it. That's me. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I used to be a musician and did a lot of productions. I loved music and served it for many years. But I felt limited within the 7 notes. In writing I found the ultimate freedom to create, to share stories with the world. To have no limits.

Who is your creator model?
The master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. He was charismatic. The word "impossible" was not in his vocabulary. He did what could not be done, he was a pioneer, true and highly creative. He believed in himself and that's what all of us creatives should do.

Which movies are your favorites? Why?
As a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, I like all his films, but I will single out “PSYCHO” because in addition to the intense suspense, it also achieves the ultimate twist.

Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
Inspiration could come from anywhere, a conversation with a friend, a morning coffee in the city a car ride in unknown places for me is enough. Human personal stories, through the journey of life, the best scenario can be written. A simple walk with a friend and through a simple question like "How was your day?" can be inspired to write an interesting story.

Which topics interest you the most?
I am interested in different subjects, but I prefer drama and crime thriller. I am also interested in writing love drama with a twist ending to keep the audience on their toes. This is how I want to educate my audience. To observe carefully everything in my film and not reject anything for the development of the plot.

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
My biggest achievement is that I keep my soul clean because that's what I'll be handing over when I leave here at some point. There is no more beautiful thing in life than being spoken about with beautiful words. This is what my mother told me to do and this is what I will continue to do.

    What do you consider most important about filming?
The stability of the composition of partners I consider to be an important part for success.
There is trust. For me, my partners are like a family. We work hard for the best result, live the joys intensely and overcome the storms together.

  Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
I give complete freedom to my collaborators to create without pressure and bring out their best. I step in to ask for what I want in that moment and I know that through the freedom and love I give them I will get it exactly as I want it. I like to listen to them, they tell me their ideas and always through healthy contact we find the solution for the ideal result.

  How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
Film production has taken leaps and bounds in recent years. If 2124 will be influenced by even 10% of the previous 100 years in inspiration, creation and passion with which the older filmmakers worked, with the help of technology, I believe it will be able to reach the highest level.

What can disappoint you in a movie?
The bad aura. We are here to support each other and find solutions to everything. With positivity and a smile, everything is solved.

Who supports you in your film career?
My family and my friends who have become my family after so many years. From the first moment. They never doubted me, they were always positive and encouraging, they always cared and helped and supported, they were wise and wonderful and understanding, they always loved me and they always love me and I love them. I thank them every day. As well as my parents who supported me and continue to support me, from up there...

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