With their families in Romania depending on them, three men try to survive by creating sand sculptures on London’s streets.

Interview with Director/Producer Tal Amiran

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you. I was actually in the process of making a documentary about a different subject, when one afternoon I simply happened to walk past a man making a sand sculpture of a dog on a busy London street. It stopped me in my tracks and at that moment I knew it would become the subject of my new film.

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

I hope that the film is successful in shining a light on people who are often overlooked, people who are taken as part of the furniture of an urban landscape. I hope that the film provides an insight into these people’s lives and their struggles.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I chose the subject of men making sand sculptures on London’s pavements in order to provide for their families back home, as a way of focusing on the issue of immigration and the prejudice and negative press these people often get in the UK media. I hope that by telling these personal stories, I was able to touch on these subjects but without being didactic or journalistic.

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

Being a documentary, the film didn’t actually have a script. The story was built during the shooting and the editing stages. For me this is very exciting, as the journey is so unpredictable.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I am very pleased that the film seems to have an impact on viewers and the feedback I get from people is very positive. The most common feedback I get is of people saying how little they knew about the struggles and hardships these dog sculptors go through.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was hoping people would respond to these people’s life stories. When you make a film, you can never anticipate people’s reaction.

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

It would be great to allow people to learn more about the film, especially for those who have watched the film at a film festival, and were curious to know more about it. The film has been selected for over 25 film festivals around the world so far, winning numerous awards.

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

I would always welcome any feedback from whoever watched the film and would be open to them getting in touch.

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

I hope that the film will have a positive effect on people’s perception of immigrants and the challenges many individuals face as they try to make ends meet and provide for their loved ones who remain in their home country.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am in the process of pre-production on my new documentary, which will again focus on people which are in the margins of society, left in the shadows and I am looking forward to sharing it once it is finished.

Interview: September 2017

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________

Sand Men

With their families in Romania depending on them, three men try to survive by creating sand sculptures on London’s streets.

Length: 14 minutes

Director / Producer: Tal Amiran

About: Tal Amiran is a an award winning filmmaker based in East London. He is also a lecturer at Norwich University of the Arts, UK.

Credits: Cinematography: Tal Amiran, Editing: Tal Amiran, Sound Design: Rick Blything, Music: Oli Harrison, Foley: Louise Brown

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/sandmenfilm

Twitter: @TalAmiran

Screenings this month: The film will be screened in the UK in October at the Nottingham International Film Festival and Southampton Film Festival, followed by festival screenings in Europe, USA and Russia in the coming months.