Ecstasy
A mystical sci-fi based on Saint Teresa de Avila's writings. Inside a ghostly mausoleum that is an artifact of both the past and future, these nuns are being affected by a black hole. Ecstasy is an eerie exploration of pleasure.
Interview with Writer/Director Carolina Costa
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have been developing a feature-length film that has some similarities to the mood and tone of Ecstasy. I am interested in creating emotional, eerie, mystical worlds with sci-fi elements. I also wanted to create a queer short film that wasn't necessarily about being queer.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because of its experimental nature, Ecstasy is a short and sensorial experience. It's quite unique.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The story is based on the writings of Saint Teresa de Avila, I always found it captivating how much pleasure and love is explored in her work, the difference is that is through faith. But those are themes that I am exploring in the other shorts in the trilogy too. For Ecstasy, I placed this sensorial exploration in a timeless location, so it feels suspended in time somehow. The idea that the universe, the sky, the planets, etc have an effect on us is something I want to explore in my work. In this case, the black hole is also a symbol of "God", it is hungry and haunting, in many ways.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was basically written as description of places and what the characters were doing. Then after I finished casting I wrote backstories for the characters, they were like short stories. And with the actors and myself developed the emotions we wanted to evoke in each scene, because there's no dialogue, we had to fine tune in body language and intention with how and where they looked.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been incredible. People are truly connecting with the film and finding new meanings. I was rather surprised so many people connected with it because of its experimental nature, but I guess that makes it stand out also.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has definitely made the film grow in my mind. Because different people came to me and talked about the sensations they had, and that has expanded my point of view for sure.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Sharing is always good. I mean, filmmaking is all about sharing stories. So I think I'm after expanding my community.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I want the short to get the maximum exposure possible. Because it started as an exercise, a try out, see if I could do this. And I want financiers and producers to see that, and help us make a feature.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I think a lot of us are looking for more sensorial ways of storytelling, so in an ideal world this would be a piece that is pushing us to open up how we make films.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What does a black hole mean to you?
Would you like to add anything else?
I wanted to create a queer short film that wasn't necessarily about being queer. Both crew and talent many were queer. Not the reason they were hired, but it definitely helped create a safe workspace.
The casting was extremely considerate of the different communities in Mexico and shows diversity within the culture. Many on the crew were women, such as the editor, production designer, costume designer, sound recordist, focus puller and one of the producers. Our gaffer was POC. The cast and background were all women and most of them were women of color.
A few young people joined the team and were paid to gain experience too. We were a production with limited resources but everyone's work needed to be remunerated, independently of their level of experience.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are editing the second short in the trilogy - A Violent Insurrection of Feelings and starting to cast for the 3rd short - The Feels.
Interview: June 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Ecstasy
A mystical sci-fi based on Saint Teresa de Avila's writings. Inside a ghostly mausoleum that is an artifact of both the past and future, these nuns are being affected by a black hole. Ecstasy is an eerie exploration of pleasure.
Length: 7:50
Director: Carolina Costa
Producer: Iván Muñoz, Arsalan Asli, Carolina Costa, Carolina Groppa, Ari Del Castillo
Writer: Carolina Costa
About the writer, director and producer:
Originally from Brazil, CAROLINA COSTA is a renowned cinematographer. She has photographed 13 features that have premiered at festivals such Cannes, Venice, Tribeca, Sundance and others. Carolina is developing her directorial debut and meanwhile has created a trilogy of shorts. Ecstasy will be the first to get a premiere.
Key cast: Mabel Cadena, Natalia Solián
Other: IMDb
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Tribeca