Sundance - Mare Nostrum
On the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, a Syrian father makes a decision that puts his daughter's life at risk.
Interview with Director Rana Kazkaz & Anas Khalaf
Watch Mare Nostrum on Prime Video and Vimeo on demand
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
In discussing the migrant situation with people, we were disturbed to hear how much judgement there was against those who were risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea for Europe. We wanted to explore this judgement.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To go on a beautiful, emotional journey and hopefully to have your perceptions challenged.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes we wanted to explore with this film are sacrifice and hope. These are the motivations that drive the urgency of every scene.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script came together rather quickly although there were numerous re-writes. As for production, it was quite a lovely, straightforward experience. We were very clear about what we wanted from every shot and from the story. Because of this clarity, by the time we started shooting, we pretty much just shot what was written.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Mixed. Most people completely understand everything that we intended but a few are confused. Also, some people get emotionally stuck at the first scene when they see what the Father does to his daughter. They can't get beyond this moment to try to understand why he does what he does.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One thing that has surprised us is when someone says they can't believe that a Father would treat his daughter the way he does in the film. But, we have to remember that this is a desperate man.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Ultimately we want our film to reach as wide an audience as possible. As there is no dialogue, we feel it has the potential to travel internationally. Also, we hope and welcome the questions and discussions that Mare Nostrum might provoke for people.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ideally, we hope the audience feels moved and self-reflective. We want to give them a visceral experience of what it means to be a migrant, risking everything for hope.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How did your opinion of the Father's actions change from the beginning to the end of the film?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Our next project will be our first feature film. It's a political thriller called The Translator and takes place in 2011 during the first 3 months of the Syrian Revolution.
Interview: January 2017
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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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Mare Nostrum
On the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, a Syrian father makes a decision that puts his daughter's life at risk.
Length: 13 minutes
Director: Rana Kazkaz & Anas Khalaf
Producer: Anas Khalaf (Synéastes Films) and Nicolas Leprȇtre & Raphael Alexandre (Georges Films)
Writer: Rana Kazkaz
About the writer, director and producer:
Married, Rana Kazkaz and Anas Khalaf currently live in Amman, Jordan, after leaving Damascus as a result of the ongoing Syrian conflict. They have written and directed four short films and the documentary Searching for the Translator, which details their quest to find Syrian refugees living in Jordan whom they could train to be actors in their upcoming feature The Translator.
Key cast: Ziad Bakri & Zayn Khalaf
Looking for: buyers, film festival directors, journalists
Funders: ARTE TV, The Prince Claus Fund, The British Coucil
Where can I see it in the next month?: at Sundance in Shorts Program 5