Tell
us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Strangely enough I didn't plan this film. I can say I am an
intuitive filmmaker who always goes with the flow and my films are heavily
based on improvisation. But that film was even more special. I just purchased
my first professional camera and I tested it on my latest trip in South Korea
preparing for my next project. I made up my mind about the future of my life
inspired by the country that tested my will power and faith as achieving it
comes with lots of sacrifice and unknown experiences. It scares me, but there
is a saying I really like, `If your dream doesn't scare you it is not big
enough`. So I will go for it. When I returned home and watched back the
sequences I felt the need to tell this story based on my thoughts and fears in
the past and at that time. I added a few sequences from previous shootings that
fit my story nicely. The only sequence that I consciously shot for this project
was the hospital scene as I had asked my friends to help me out.
For
what group of spectators is your film targeted?
I can say this film for everyone, although I believe there
is a need for a little life experience to understand it and be able to relate
with it fully.
Why
should distributors buy your film?
I think the story has deep thoughts that could inspire
others. In addition, this time I really used the screen as my canvas so the
pictures are visually pleasing, picturesque and bring lots of emotion to be
able to touch many people, motivating them to think about their own life and
choices.
How
would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
An inspirational message and artistic visuals.
Why
did you decide to become a filmmaker?
It is an interesting story. I have never imagined that one
day I would be a filmmaker as well as an artist, songwriter and designer. I
have always been told that I don't have any talent and from my late 20`s that I
am too old to chase my dreams. And I believed it. I lived a miserable life as a
prisoner pleasing others and suffering silently until the day my world
collapsed and I wasn't able to maintain my life as it was anymore. I was on the
edge of the cliff with only two decisions left; die or stand up for myself. I
was lucky enough to decide to live and fight, getting a second chance from the
Divine. I went through a life changing transformation alone 3 years ago that
was tough, painful and scary. I restarted my life from nothing, both
financially and mentally. I had to learn strict self control and faced my own
demons, fears and negative thoughts. But I found myself and became who I am
today. As this process was very difficult and I know many people have the same
struggles as I had, that is why it is important to me to share my experiences
with others and encourage them to choose the path I chose finding themself and
their happiness. . I turned to art to help me in my self healing process and
realized I have some artistic ability, then I learnt how to play instruments
and accidentally wrote my first song. I was advised by one of my friends to
make a little video for that song and that was the start of my filmmaking
journey. That opened up a door that I wasn't aware existed to me and my
imagination got stronger and became more vivid so I started to make my little
parodies. For fun I applied with them to Film Festivals Worldwide, and I was
surprised when I got a lot of positive feedback. For the first time in my life
I started to get recognition, the filmmaking community greeted me with open
arms. As it built up my confidence and self-belief, my dreams just got bigger
and I found filmmaking to be my biggest passion. I decided to go back to school
to become a filmmaker as I felt this is a call to my destined path.
Who
is your role model?
I don`t really have any. I like to be myself 100 %. If I
need to name one director whose work I appreciate the most, I would say
Federico Fellini as I can relate to his style and thoughts the most.
Which
movies are your favorites? Why?
Without any question, Federico Fellini's ‘Nights of Cabiria’
That film is the most tragic
and the most positive film that I have ever seen. I saw it before my
transformation and I never was able to forget it. Now I can see myself in that
story.
Where
do you look for inspiration for your films?
My stories are based on my life, my experiences and my
thoughts. I gained a lot of inspiration from South Korea and its culture. I
consider it my saviour as it provided me with the key experience to wake up and
seek change. I’d like to travel more and get to know different cultures, adding
more inspiration to my work.
Which
topics interest you the most?
Spiritualism I interested in the most. Especially the
journey of the soul and self healing these days.I consider myself highly
spiritual and philosophical, I like stories with deep meaning, regardless of
the genre or topic.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your
career?
My career as a filmmaker is only at the starting
line, there is a lot to learn and far to go. I have enormous plans for my
future. My biggest goal was to explore my ability of storytelling and for my
thoughts to be appreciated. As a student director I won my first awards with my
student short documentary, and now my first drama is also doing well as I
already won one award with it in the `Best drama` category. I am very honored.
What do you consider most important about filming?
Storytelling that can deliver emotions and
meaningful messages for the better. On the other hand, good humor is also
important to get people out of the heavy thinking. It's slightly contradictory
as the films that I`m thinking about usually don't give too much thought, just
fun. But this is how they are supposed to be. And overall keeping the audience
interested till the end is also very important.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the
best?
I like to experience the camera, I am just
exploring it. Sometimes I get amazing results through `mistakes` that I didn't
plan. I like to use different techniques with those compositions to be able to
deliver my story the best.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current
filmmaking?
I don't have a wide view on current filmmaking,
as I rarely watch movies or anything else. I am extremely busy with my life, I
am working as a veterinary surgeon 6 days a week, after work I concentrate on
my artistic activities, not just filmmaking but as I am getting more
recognition as an artist I am painting, designing and learning languages to be
able to enter to the new chapter of my life next year. What I can say is that I
am not a fan of remakes, and I appreciate other indie filmmakers` works. And
about future filmmaking I cannot agree with AI in any kind of artistic
activity, that may be visually pleasing but it always will miss the essence of
art, the soul.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
Emptiness and lack of originality.
Who supports you in your film career?
Me :) I achieved everything on my own. Which is
good and bad. It is good because it showed me my strength and how capable I am
if I really want to reach my goals but doing everything on my own can sometimes
be overwhelming.
I am very thankful to my friends and my mom who
cheers me on with my little projects and is willing to help me out if I need a
little help as well as my little community that supports me in my artistic
dreams despite currently being a vet.
