An old puppet wakes up in a new evil world.

Interview with Writer/Director Alicia Lang

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was part of a special film project at school and we were working with Bunraku puppets. Bunraku is a style of puppetry that originated in Japan. I wanted to explore this artform in film because I haven’t seen it before and wanted to see the possibilities.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Prototype 33 is unique and very unusual. It is a rare opportunity to see Bunraku puppetry in film.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Traditionally it takes a long time to become a Bunraku puppeteer. It takes a lot of patience and training. Today, many things are created very quickly. Art can be copied very easily. This film is a metaphor for a world that is always making more things because it is getting easier with the rise of technology. The main character Benji represents old art and tradition and comes from a world where it takes time to make things. But he is under threat of being cloned by a world of factory-produced goods. His only way out is to escape into an entirely virtual world.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

We started with a simple story about a lonely puppet struggling to fit in. But as we started to design the set and explore the character, the story became more and more about a world that did not value puppets and originality.

Prototype 33 - Benji in the cloning lab.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

A lot of my peers said they didn’t get Prototype 33, but they say that the film is ‘cool’. Some people said it was unique and mysterious.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I wasn’t surprised because it doesn’t have any dialogue so everyone will have a different perspective or idea about its meaning. Also Bunraku is not very well known in Australia. It doesn’t really bother me that some people don’t get it. It is very unusual and you don’t always have to get something to appreciate it. A lot of people don’t get me. Including my friends. But they still appreciate me.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com ?

I am hoping that this film will open other film-maker’s minds about different mediums that can be used in film. I hope it will inspire people to experiment.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The only thing I can think of is that it would be great to work on another film with a Bunraku puppet company from Japan.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope this film raises awareness of this art-form and its possibilities in film.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How are old art-forms relevant and important in revolutionising the way we create today? How can we learn from and use them?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We have just completed another film called ‘Raven Rift’. You can see it on Youtube. It explores very current world issues and prejudices in a gothic style and set. And it also has a Bunraku puppet in it. Please check it out.

Interview: December 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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

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Prototype 33

An old puppet wakes up in a new evil world.

Length: 5.57

Director: Alicia Lang

Producer: Gene, Iris, Greta,

Writer: Alicia Lang

About Alicia (Director and Writer)

Alicia is 14. She has lived in out of home care for the last 3 years. She is a big fan of Manga and she uses it for inspiration in her own art. Her biggest inspiration is Hayao Miyazaki. In addition to Prototype 33, Alicia has created a stop motion animation called Hiro and has just finished another film called Raven Rift.

Alicia also loves creating music for film. She hopes to continue learning and developing her skills as an artist and a film-maker.