Author: samlawlor

Unspoken

Produced by a group of students from the London Nautical school who are participating in a film-making programme established by the Cinémathèque Française in Paris called ‘Le Cinéma, cent ans de jeunesse’ (Cinema, 100 years young), this short film is their final “essai” solution to the challenging brief provided by the Cinémathèque

This film was conceived, written, performed, filmed and edited by students. There were adults around, we filled out the forms, kept the batteries charged, mediated the conversations and did the boring post-production.

The film premiered at the Cinémathèque Française in Paris on The 7th of June 2013.

Here are some of the notices from the “Godfather” of the ‘Le Cinéma, cent ans de jeunesse’ (Cinema, 100 years young) programme Alain Bergala:

  • “C’est un film où l’on voit, on sent.”
  • “Pas besoin de dire, tout est là.” 
  • “C’est un film de cinéaste.” 
  • “C’est costaud.” 
  • “Mieux que certains films de la Fémis.” 
  • “Quelle preuve de maturité, c’est extraordinaire pour des gens de cet âge-là.” 
  • “et puis ce n’était pas un film bien-pensant” 
  • “j’ai été très ému.” 
  • “certes il n’y a pas de compétition mais s’il y a un film qui sort du lot c’est bien celui des p’tits anglais”
Margaux Guillemard, our delegate at the final summary, hesitated to translate it into English, as she was afraid the translation might “impair the purity of Bergala’s words for this work”, but then she thought about the boys… here is her approximate translation:

  • “It is a film where we see, and feel”
  • “(…) where there is no need to put word on things, everything is there in front of you”
  • “C’est un film de cinéaste.” -> ‘cinéaste’ means ‘professional film director’, but a director who is an artist before anything else. It is an old French expression which emphasizes the opposition between commercial cinema and pure, creative and artistic cinema
  • “It is a solid film”
  • “Better than some films made by the student of La Fémis”  -> ‘La Fémis’ is a French film school, one of the most prestigious in the world
  • “It demonstrates so much maturity, it is extraordinary for people of this age”
  • “And it wasn’t a conformist film!”
  • “This film really moved me”
“Sure, Cinéma: Cent ans de Jeunesse isn’t about competition, but if one film had to stand out, it would be the one by the small Brits!“

Summary of the first discussion of ideas for the brief

We analysed the brief, everyone demonstrated a good understanding of the strict rules of form the film needs to take – two character in a constrained space in two key scenes – first alone together, and later with others present. All other scenes must take place in open spaces.

We discussed the notion of the relationship between these two characters (and in what way it is changed in the presence of others) being the key to satisfying the brief and making a strong film that works well in its own right.
There was discussion as what should come first – a good story or good locations, with diverse views on the subject expressed.

In terms of locations, the London Eye was suggested as the constrained space – its cinematic and atmospheric, filming could potentially be arranged. It presents challenges such as continuity, and we would need at least 2 rides in the wheel, a pod to ourselves, and be very well rehearsed beforehand.

Other locations mentioned include waterloo bridge, a lift, the Houses of Parliament.

It was suggested that we should a set-piece opening shot, in the vein of Tarantino, possibly a sweeping tracking shot, that could be achieved using the camera clamp and a bicycle – possibly with a character cycling or running through open space – creating a strong introduction to a central character in open space, before the confined space provokes the plot.

The first round of ideas generated several suggestions:

Two gifted young footballers are friends, but also rivals as they vie for the same goal.

A kid loses his money (possibly by getting mugged), and spends the rest of the film hunting down the perpetrators with his friends.

A boy sells peanuts on Waterloo bridge, the Southbank is the location for the open spaces shots.

A boy is treating his friends un-expectantly to a day out in London – the key scenes take place inside a pod on the London Eye – is he treating them because he is unwell?

Two people are in a lift, one is popular, the other is unpopular – it is unlikely that they would get on, but they are friends secretly. Their relationship alters in the presence of others.

Perhaps there is more going on between these friends than expected – a subtext, something that they want to keep hidden from the judgment of their peers.

The Film Essay Brief

This is the brief for this year’s film essay:

Make a film which includes 2 scenes filmed in the same space: once with 2 characters, another time with the same two characters plus 1 or 2 others. The situation and the issues will be different between these 2 scenes, with a different mis en scene.
These two scenes should be in a constrained space, whereas the other scenes making up the rest of the film should be in open spaces.
The film will last a maximum of 8 minutes.

So what are they asking us to do?

We need to make an 8 minute film, with two main characters, and several supporting characters.

There are two key scenes featuring our two main characters, which will be filmed in the same ‘constrained space’ location, but filmed in a different way each time.

We can choose what else happens, and where, but these other scenes will all take place in open spaces.

So our real challenge is to come up with a story that fits this brief, and choose locations that maximize the dramatic possibilities.

Notice that the two main characters will be in the same place twice, once alone together, and once with other people – these are the two key scenes in our film, so we need to think of a story that dramatically exploits this set up.

Is this about a relationship between two people that is altered by the presence of others? (perhaps an unlikely friendship or shared interest)

Is it about a secret that two people share, which has implications for everyone?

Maybe the film explores the consequences of the two characters first interaction in the constrained space?

These are just jumping off points, does anyone else have any initial thoughts or responses to the brief? It would be great to start a discussion about it.