South East European Film Festival

Ana Pasti’s IN BETWEEN, Andrej I. Volkashin’s SNAKE: SEEfest 2021 Interviews — Three short film directors discuss the awesomeness and not-so-awesomeness of directing children

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we naturally talk about the challenges and the joys of working with and directing children, including how important it is to “cast” the parents as well as their children. I also have an embarrassing moment where I discover that Ana Pasti actually played the lead in her film and I lamely did not make the connection. We also talk about the filmmakers’ emotional state following the completion of each project and whether they were excited to do the next film or needed to be convinced to do it ever again.

Kata Oláh MY DIGITAL NOMAD, SEEfest 2021 Interviews: talks about documentary filmmaking as a personal discovery process when turning the camera in yourself and your loved ones

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about about Kata’s personal discovery process during the time period making the film and how the insecurity of not having a familiar plan drove the inspiration of wanting to apply it all to the creation of that film. We also talk about the unexpected reaction(s) she had while reviewing footage of conversations that she herself had participated in while filming, as well as finding a balance in her own life once informed by literally watching her life play out in front of her.

Andrei Zinca’s SO WHAT’S FREEDOM?: SEEfest 2021 Interviews: focusing on visuals and giving symbolic characters nuance

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Zinca’s approach to the visuals of the film, the color palette, the script as seen by a director of photography, and the visual distinction separating the “universes” created within the film. We also talk about the nuance achieved in the characters – weakness in “villains,” conflicted intentions and behavior from “heroic” characters, etc., and how they were set up to be symbolic of entire groups during that time.

Elka Nikolova’s A QUESTION OF SURVIVAL: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; dealing with a central question can make or break a documentary

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about the “responsibility” of the documentarian to choose great spokespeople as interview subjects for their films, as well as how kismet can come into play in finding the right people to put in front of their cameras. Elka also talks in depth about the central question in the film of “Can I consider myself a survivor or not?” as well as how she approached that question helped her unlock the key to making the film.

Bruno Pavić ‘s LANDSCAPE ZERO: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; talks about the taking a different approach and style to the environmental documentary

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about why and how Bruno took the “artistic” documentary approach with this film and its subject, including not wanting to be perceived as an activist through the filmmaking. We also talk about a moment of improvisation he had while shooting the film, and how some of that came from the reluctance of interview subjects to actually appear in the film.

Nóra Lakos’ CREAM: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; romantic comedy inspirations, casting for chemistry and a great kid

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Nóra’s romantic comedy inspirations for the film, as well as how they purposely tried to deviate from the typical style and tropes where they could. We also talk about achieving chemistry between romantic leads – via casting and application, as well as her success casting (including how a growth spurt intervened) and working with the fake son in the film.

Marija Perović ‘s BREASTS : SEEfest 2021 Interviews; talks about balancing the personalities and relationships between four distinct characters in her film

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Marija’s work with the main actors in the film – since those performances were a highlight for me me personally – as well as how they each came to the project from different countries. We also talk about the seeming rarity today of having a film focused on 40-something leads and their behavior (as opposed to a having a film fronted by a much younger cast). We also discuss the editing process and balancing the four characters equally when a really strong individual performance can inspire an editor to give them more screen time than was originally intended.

Antonio Pisu’s EST: SEEfest 2021 Review; keeps you guessing with its matter-of-fact approach to dramatic misdirection

By Luke Y. Thompson 5 years ago

If this were a typical American movie, one of two paths would likely be followed next. Let’s call them Hostel and Eurotrip. Under the first scenario, the danger gradually escalates until it becomes impossible to escape. Under the second, absurd situations escalate until things get ridiculous, and the guys probably get laid.

Erdem Tepegöz’s In the Shadows: SEEfest 2021 Review; horror film for today’s Amazon-addled world

By Luke Y. Thompson 5 years ago

The most obvious interpretation of writer-director Erdem Tepegoz’s film is that it’s allegorical communism. Factories, labor, generic outfits, total disrepair, and so forth. Still, in the era of Amazon, is it all that different from capitalism? As seen in Nomadland, Amazon would probably claim they offer “freedom”…freedom, that is, to live in a van and be seasonally employed. But In the Shadows’ factory offers room, board, and guaranteed work. Neither is big on healthcare. All workers are replaceable. And constantly monitored. The warehouse Cold War counts no real winners among the employed.

Andrea Štaka’s Mare leads awards for SEEfest 2021; highlighting cinematography among the winners

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“It is a special privilege for us at SEEfest to recognize artists of South East European heritage who enrich international cinema,” says Vera Mijojlić, founder and director of SEEfest. “These awards are representative of cultural and cinematic diversity of South East Europe, and we are proud of our track record in discovering new talent, bringing to American audiences the beauty, artistry, ingenuity of these marginalized cultures. Our festival team congratulates all award winners, with special thanks to the Jury and industry members whose support is indispensable.”