Riverrun International Film Festival - MAÎTRES NAGEURS (By the pool)
During the heat wave, swimmers flock to a municipal pool. Rain or shine, as the days pass the place takes on a life of its own, and the lifeguards, while immature at times, shoulder considerable responsibilities.
Interview with Writer/Director KARINE BÉLANGER
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
First I decided to make a movie on something more personal. I started thinking about memories and then I thought about those summers when I was working at the pool. There was a particular energy inside our group of lifeguards. A kind of little family who spent all summer long together. As I was writing, I realized that in fact the place, this pool, was finally the subject of the story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film is immersive. I think this is more a formal proposition. Something slow, something smooth. This is light and, I hope, a little bit funny. Vincent Biron did an incredible work on the image. This is summer, simply enjoy the vibe!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
90% of the film is based on souvenirs. I took all little memories to construct a portrait of my summers passed by the public pool. I think the film is open to reach a large public as it is about a place and what happens in that place. But it’s also about teens starting to work and taking adults responsibilities.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Unfortunatly, we had to cut some scenes during the development. It was a sacrifice to do if we wanted to have a suitable shooting. Then, in editing, we realized that the script didn’t reflect the perfect construction of the film that we shot. Many scenes were independent, the challenge was to find the right structure.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Well, this is not really a film that suggests a debate. So, the feedback is generally appreciation and interpretation. People often makes a parallel with their souvenirs. Sometimes they tell me that the film makes them remember their summer job, the summer camp or simply when they were kids and went to the pool. On the other side, people discuss about my approach. The fact that I decided to open things up for observation. That the film is occasionally using documentary codes.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really! In fact, I’m surprised that people received my artistic approach with accuracy.
I’m always nervous that the public will still be waiting for a character’s story to start! ‘’Which one is the principal character? Is it the brown girl?’’ No, that’s the pool and I’m happy that people understand this unconventional proposition.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope that people will be curious to discover the universe of the film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We already have the chance to have a great distributor working on the film. The exclusive premiere is still available in many territories. We will be happy to hear from buyers and film festival directors who are interested to see and consider the film. Of course, in short film, we don’t often have this opportunity to talk about the movie in the press, so journalists who are curious about the film are welcome too!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I wish that the spectator will be touched by the proposition. If they can feel the rhythm and the atmosphere, I will have the feeling that I succeed to communicate the vibe of this place.
I hope that other artists will see that an ordinary place can have the potential to be the theatre of what we want.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
‘’What about the fish??? ‘’ That’s a popular question in the Q&A session after the film. As I said, this film is 90% based on true facts. Weirdly, a part of this strange fact is true!
Would you like to add anything else?
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the trailer and I will refer to one of your precedent question about how the film evolved. The trailer is in fact a scene that was supposed to be in the movie but has been removed from the final cut. I truly loved that scene because it represented so well the energy of these young people, the vibe of the summer… It was working in the script, but we didn’t know what to do with it in the editing. The scene was too short to ‘’live’’ alone as one of the segments of the film. Something was missing. So, my editor suggested to me very early in the process to remove it. Oh well, that’s kind of hard for a director to accept. It’s difficult to keep a distance with the material. We shot the scene in a heat wave. We did it like 17 times to have it perfect. And finally it was one of the few scenes with all the characters. On an impulse, I suggested to her that should be the trailer. Finally, it’s probably an unconventional choice to use a deleted scene as a trailer, but everything is there: it presents the team, the place and the smooth ambience.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now, I’m developing another short film which will also focus on a place. I want to explore the creative potential of a specific location. But this time, I will play more with the cinematographic genders. Again, the form will take a bigger space than the story.
Interview: March 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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MAÎTRES NAGEURS (By the pool)
During the heat wave, swimmers flock to a municipal pool. Rain or shine, as the days pass the place takes on a life of its own, and the lifeguards, while immature at times, shoulder considerable responsibilities.
Length: 15 MIN
Director: KARINE BÉLANGER
Producer: ANDREW PRZYBYTKOWSKI
Writer: KARINE BÉLANGER
About the writer, director and producer:
About the writer and director:
Karine Bélanger has a Bachelor’s degree in film studies from the Université de Montréal. She is currently the coordinator for Coop Vidéo de Montréal and has just completed her first short film, Maîtres nageurs.
About the producer
Born to Polish parents in Arizona he is presently living the Canadian dream as a Slavic cow-boy in Montréal. Andrew works as an independent producer, director, editor and one man army videographer.
Key cast: JULIANNE CÔTÉ, THÉODORE PELLERIN, SIMON PIGEON, CARLA TURCOTTE
Social media handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Maitresnageurs.BythePool
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
BUYERS, FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTORS, JOURNALISTS
Funders: This film was produced by the financial support of SODEC and the Provincial tax credit.
Where can I see it in the next month?
The film will be presented at the Riverrun Film Festival in USA: http://riverrunfilm.com/film/by-the-pool/