In search of perfection a city obeys blindly to selection.

Interview with Director Anaïs Voirol

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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you. Perfect Town is the final project of my Bachelor's degree. A final project always means a lot of pressure since its success or failure is the first bigger step that determines one’s career and future in the industry. I'm a natural perfectionist, which obviously doesn't help lifting the expectations - on the contrary. Perfect Town was my way of bearing and reflecting those expectations in my work. They became part of the process in more than one way and helped me to remind myself to question ideals.

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

It's a challenging film. If you like to challenge yourself and your expectations, if you enjoy a dose of colorfulness, surrealism, strangeness, and dark humor then you should definitely watch it.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The pressure to perform is an integral part of capitalist, achievement-oriented societies. In that way perfectionism is a very universal theme. At the same time individuals who are constantly confronted with the pressure to perform flawlessly each have their unique and personal experience with those expectations, me being one of them.

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

The Film is based on a short story of mine. From there the plot expanded by adding more characters and situations that would fit into the world. The biggest changes were rearranging the scenes.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It was quite diverse. However, I was asked a few times about the plot. Interestingly enough when faced with counter questions from my part as to what their intuitive interpretation was, their answers would mirror my plot intentions quite well. It was like they didn’t feel entitled to make assumptions which I found quite curious.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

When I made the film I knew it was risky to create a world without explaining its rules. In the film the characters submit to a selective system without realizing that it’s arbitrary. Only at the end of the film one character starts to wonder what kind of place Perfect Town really is. Being left alone in this moment is quite uncomfortable and frustrating for some viewers and it was challenging to stand by my decision to not give more comfort or guidance. Eventually I was surprised and content to see how many people appreciated this more unconventional approach and how well understood the film was regardless.

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

I made a film to start a conversation not to end it, therefore it is a good platform to get exposure and especially a response.

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

Generally, I'm happy to be contacted from people who are themselves motivated to spread the film or write about it.

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

I would like it to spark a critical conversation about expectations and where they come from. That way, I hope for it to have a liberating impact on me and everyone who becomes part of the conversation.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Pick one:

· Why do we create rules and borders which determine who deserves to be at a certain place or in a certain group?

· Why is there a big attraction to belong to something selective?

· Who and what shapes our ideals?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks for this interview - I appreciate the interest in my work.

And also: There is a soundtrack for Perfect Town coming soon so keep your ears clean and ready.

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

I’m working as an animator for the short film: “How snails lost their feet“ while writing the script for my next animated short film. Also, score composer Jo Flüeler and I are working on another collaboration, a 12-minute space opera witch is also in its early development stage.

Interview: November 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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

Perfect Town

In search of perfection a city obeys blindly to selection.

Length: 4min 25 sec Director Anaïs Voirol

Producer: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Writer: Anaïs Voirol

About the writer, director and producer:

Anaïs Voirol is an independent animator and illustrator based in Zurich.

Perfect Town is her Bachelor graduation film.

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is the oldest and only art school wich offers an Animation degree in Switzerland.

Key cast: -

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): film festival directors, journalists

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