Norwich Radical Film Festival - Easy Reappearance
Anne, a fity-year-old woman with a bourgeois mentality, listens to a message secretly intended for her husband: a man makes an appointment with him in a gay club where you must give the password, « Easy Reappearance »...
Interview with Writer/Director Guillaume Levil
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
“Easy Reappearance” is about love. And love, of course. In fact, as I always say, even if I speak about violence, or hamsters or I don't know what else, I only speak about love, it's the only thing that exists on earth. But this time I wanted to see the link between love and liberty. It's the story of a woman who has always lived in a jail - the jail is in her brain. I wanted to film the revolution in this brain, and that's why I had to be free in the way of filming too, and that's why "Easy Reappearance" is sometimes a little strange!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Hey, audience ! You have to see this film ! The first reason is that it's short! Only 16 minutes. So, If you find it boring, don't worry, it's not a feature and it will be finished soon. The other reason is that French is a beautiful language. Don't you think ? Don't worry, there will be subtitles in English. An other reason : ok, the subject of the film is LIBERTY (so everybody is related to that, especially these days). BUT in the film, we speak about English people ! It's a surprise, go, see the film, and learn about English people - I hope it will be funny.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Already said that : love and liberty. It's a personal theme but it works for everybody. I think that everyone on earth has a jail in their brain. Sometimes it's society's prison, sometimes we make it just because we like to be slaves, it's more comfortable. But this film just says that we don't need anymore jails in life, and without any jail, love will be obvious. It's the aim of life.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It's a secret. Ah ah. But I'll tell you a little about this. AT the beginning, nobody wanted to hear about this project. Too strange, too funny? :) I don't know... One day, I found a courageous production company, MELTING PROD. They said : we'll do it, because sometimes we need to be crazy. Ok. A city in the south of France named DIGNE helped us a little (I was born there) and all the merchants of the town gave us things! We didn't pay for food or hotels because people wanted to see the film and they were nice. And we had public aid from ALPES DE HAUTE PROVENCE, I thank them.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It depends. Sometimes, people like, sometimes they don't understand. As usual when you make a film. But I went several times to festivals and I'm happy because people laughed. And, even if you find it strange, perhaps it will not be indifferent. And we had awards ! Here is the list : Grand Prix du Jury et Prix du Public au Festival « Image in Cabestany » (Jury and Public Awards, France) ; Prix de la Meilleure Actrice au Festival « Ose ce court » de Bischheim (France, Best Actress) ; Nomination Meilleur Film et Meilleure Actrice « Disturb Awards » de Paris (Nominated for Best Film and Best Actress Award, France) ; Nomination Meilleur Film et Meilleur Scénario au Beeston Film Festival (Nominated for Best Film and Best Screenplay Award, UK) ; Meilleur Film LGBTQ à The Wendy’s Shorts (Best LGBTQ Short, USA) ; Finaliste au DIY Film Festival (Finalist, USA).
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, it's absolutely normal to have people who don't like and people who like the film. Usually, everybody likea the actressses. I thank Agnès Croutelle, Alice de Lencquesaing and Monique deshors, I love them. Perhaps the only big surprise was the double award, both public ans jury, in Cabestany, south west of France. I was about to cry!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think it could be interesting that this film could be seen in England, or in all of UK. If people want to buy it in the UK, thanksssss ! With the Brexit and everything, laughing about English people, with respect, could be a good solution to keeping a good energy. We are neighbours, we love you.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
You know, I think that a filmmaker is not different from a craftsman. I make films. Somebody make shoes. With love. It could be artistic. So, if ONE man likes my film, because it speaks about something and it's interesting for him, and perhaps he laughs or he cries, if there is ONE person like that, I'm happy, because the shoe found a foot. And if one day I have an Oscar... I'll take it :)
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Key question : is the director of this film in love with the English people ? Ha ah the answer is yes, and my aunt is English, I love her! Or: Has the film been successful in speaking about liberty ?
Would you like to add anything else?
I already spoke too much! But thanks to my team, they are heroes.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm a screenwriter so I work for other people and I like it. But for me, I'm working on a feature (about strange love of course) and...... I'm looking for foreign production for that! And a short will be filmed too this year. Have a good festival!
Interview: August 2016
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Film Title: Easy Reappearance
Anne, a fity-year-old woman with a bourgeois mentality, listens to a message secretly intended for her husband: a man makes an appointment with him in a gay club where you must give the password, « Easy Reappearance »...
Length: 16min50
Director: Guillaume Levil
Producer: Florent Guimberteau
Writer: Guillaume Levil
About the writer, director and producer:
Born in Provence, Guillaume Levil likes shooting in the south to catch the light that inspires him from lands of many tales and legends. As a true lover of Capra’s and Pagnol’s work, he gives away images as a story-teller, not to escape reality but to celebrate it differently.
Key cast: Agnès Croutelle
Alice de Lencquesaing
Monique Deshors
Pascal Carbon
Jean Vincentelli
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): buyers
Funders: Melting Prod
Made in association with: Les NOUS / Alpes de Haute Provence
Release date: May 2015
Where can I watch it in the next month? Norwich Festival! And several places in Paris... And the 3 of september in Espalion festival. The 24 in Tessalonic in Greece, the same day in Sose festival (Armenia), Then in USA (queen city festival, 8th of october), the 14th in south of France (Hendaye).