Slamdance - Gusla or the Spirits
Adrienne goes back to Poland, where she was born, to see her grandmother and ask her family about communism. In her aunt and uncle’s cosy kitchen she will learn that communist spirits aren’t the only ones to haunt the Polish imagination, and that there are many unexpected and old means to face them.
Interview with Writer/Director Adrienne Nowak
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to ask questions about communism and understand a little bit more how it was during this period. And I wanted to spend some time with my family, it was a nice way to make some interesting activity together. We travelled with my father to interview people. I asked my grandma to play a role and It was funny to see her acting.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Why should people watch films ? I don't know. Maybe for entertainment, or to learn something about humanity. I just hope they will be touched by my film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I wanted to ask my family about communism and everyday life during it. I wanted to have a personal point of view about this period of History. I asked questions about ghosts because I understood that people dealt with the fear of ghosts like they dealt with the fear of the regime.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
First, the references about communism were numerous. As the film evolved I chose to speak more about ghosts. I also had several interviews but to be more clear for the audience I put all the people together in the same house like a family. Teresa is not my real aunt, her name is Sabina and I made her play the role of my aunt.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Ha ha, someone told me that there was no egg in the recipe of the pierogi. Lots of people say that it's a really strange film, and that they've never seen something like that. It's a real compliment to me.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Probably the best feedback I had was from a Bulgarian writer, Elitza Gueorguieva. She said that my film shows very well how people avoid speaking about communism or did it metaphorically. I was very happy that someone understood so well what I wanted to say.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like for more people eat pierogis and believe in ghosts.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone except producers, or maybe for my next film!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like everyone to question their own ghosts. For me speaking of ghosts is not only a sad thing. It brings humour. Humour is the best thing against fear.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What do the American ghosts look like ? How do American people deal with them ?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm working with a friend on a TV series about religions. Another kind of ritual. And I'm also writing a short film script about memory and how people felt in love in Warsaw, in the 80s.
Interview: January 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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
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GUSLA OR THE SPIRITS
Adrienne goes back to Poland, where she was born, to see her grandmother and ask her family about communism. In her aunt and uncle’s cosy kitchen she will learn that communist spirits aren’t the only ones to haunt the Polish imagination, and that there are many unexpected and old means to face them.
Length: 8 minutes 36 secondes
Director: Adrienne Nowak
Producer: Nidia Santiago and Edwina Liard (Ikki Films)
Writer: Adrienne Nowak
About the writer, director and producer:
Gusła or the spirits is Adrienne Nowak’s first professional film. She studied at ENSAD (Arts Décoratifs, In Paris) and follows the exchange programme with Calarts in Los Angeles.
Ikki Films produces and coproduces original and innovative films since 2011, live and animated, shorts and feature films. The team is composed of producers Nidia Santiago and Edwina Liard.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Film Festival directors, buyers, journalists.
Other: http://ikkifilms.com/archives/portfolio/gusla-2
Funders: CICLIC-REGION CENTRE VAL DE LOIRE, CNC (NOUVELLES TECHNOLOGIES EN PRODUCTION) & COSIP, SACEM, MOULIN D’ANDÉ CÉCI, ARTE FRANCE
Viena Independent Shorts, Mediawave (Hungary), Richmond, Zagreb, Ficam, Vortex.