Sundance - LostFound
LostFound is a portrait of a woman in the Nation of Islam.
Interview with Director Shakti Bhagchandani
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was nostalgic. And a bit impatient to make something and keep my hands busy. I wanted to make something with as little anxiety as possible, not only in the process of making it, but in the film itself. Something neat, tender and restful. That shows compassion differently.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I hope you'd watch it because its simple and unexpected. And affectionate. It's also not a traditional story. A little thing happens that I hope will feel like a big thing.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film touches on themes of sisterhood, community, disaffection and love. It begins like any other day but ends with a longing for something different.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
I actually never had a script. Or at least not a formal one. The film was largely improvised. To begin with, I had a single world and a single character. Olivia, Emre, Sean and I sat together and came up with something we could do with these two things that was quiet, complete, and most importantly, affordable and simple to make.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I feel lucky to say - all approving! Audience members have been engaged and generous and inquiring.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
In some ways. Others see things you don't. And read more into things than you do. Sometimes I feel they want it to be something else, and I welcome that. Now that the film is complete and out in the world, it's not for me to say what it is and what it isn't.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope more people will be interested in watching the film. And I hope the fact that the film was made on a micro-micro-micro budget will show other aspiring storytellers that filmmaking is for everyone.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am not interested in selling it, actually. The film will play in Chicago and Melbourne next as part of educational programs at high schools and I love that. That is enough for me. The story ends and I am happy for that, there is no companion feature or sister film coming up. I hope more festivals will program it, and for the film to serve as a model of what we can do as filmmakers going forward.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope people will watch it and feel loved.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We're working on my first feature! We are currently fine-tuning the script, and will be starting preproduction in the summer.
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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LostFound
LostFound is a portrait of a woman in the Nation of Islam.
Length: 12 mins
Director: Shakti Bhagchandani
Producer: Sean Dunn
Writer: Shakti Bhagchandani, Emre Gulcan
About the writer, director and producer: Shakti, Sean and Emre are a team of aspiring filmmakers from the UAE, Scotland and Turkey respectively. They are currently graduate students at Columbia University where they are completing their MFAs in Film. They like wheat beer, South Park and telling stories.
Key cast: Olivia Washington, Yanna Buttons, Phumzile Sitole
Funders: We Airbnb-ed our room and collected two years of birthday and Christmas money to make this film. I also sold a purse on eBay.
Where can I see it in the next month? At Sundance!
Is this okay???