The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2018 - Life is Art
Even when the human soul is bound by the Russian regime it finds a way to transcend boundaries through the creation of art and connects the lives of those that view it.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Oksana Sokol
Watch Life is Art on Beamafilm and Tubi
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It’s not often we meet people who have continuously pushed the boundaries of what defines a colourful and engaging life. The norm is the norm and we get on with our daily lives. I have always been intrigued to what makes a person at 80 still hungry to experience life, to want to see the unseen who still feels they have so much to express of themselves in the world whilst others are already done.
Not only did Anatol infuse me with his extraordinary vivacious life but his never endless search for redefining himself as an artist through hardships of various times, all sparked an incredible desire to share his passion to be more active in the pursuit of our own dreams and fulfillment.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film will take you on a visual feast through the life of a collagist, an inventor, and a lover of life. It’s captivating through its moving imagery taking us to different countries, places and times. Moving along at a great pace, visually stimulating in itself as homage to the artists’ style using collage, bright imagery and music; exploring a somewhat unconventional music score of progressive rock creating a modern beat to enhance the contemporary flavor of an artist that has always pushed the edge of art in new directions. This is not a conventional talking heads film. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The universal experience of constantly looking into the future with great interest and inquisitiveness is the greatest underlying theme to all philosophies. To accomplish everything that ever appears in our minds as an idea, as a thought and to make all of it a possibility.
It's really cool to be able witness any artist see their expression fulfilled, and for us personally it helps us see more outside of the box and catalyse our own passions and dreams. This is the true meaning of life. To experience it all in its fullness!
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I had a really strong visual direction for the film right from the start. The interviews and the poignant conversations were always like a washing line for the mosaic of imagery depicting the artists’ multi hued life. So many great threads of thought and so many different possibilities, it was an absolute treat to work with the two editors who saw clearly and precisely what we collectively wanted to weave. The edit is where the film was really created.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We’ve had some really amazing feedback. ‘A unique documentary done in a unique style the keeps the audience captivated from start to finish’. People love the tasty treats in between when the film breathes. That it has a nice flow, and the style of collage enhances the story of who Anatol, the artist is and it expresses the magnitude of what he has achieved. We’ve also received positive responses from the Russian community who can relate to the times and themes of the Soviet regime, which is a great acknowledgement.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One question was posed recently by someone who thought the artist’s use of the female body in his art was exploiting women and how did I feel about this, being a female director. In my opinion I don’t see it as a negative. The female body, the feminine has always been revered and looked upon by artists as a point of beauty, as something beautiful, and has been the focus of many great works and explorations.
It personally delights me and I don’t see reason to put it in the category of exploitation. But it’s certainly a great point and in today’s times can be seen as controversial.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the film to be showcased alongside other outstanding filmmakers as well as getting wider exposure in a community that appreciates good, solid stories.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributors who can see the film reaching its appropriate audience, lovers of art, lovers of inspiring, colorful stories that can package it with other documentaries.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be great to see the film screened on Russian television. There are many deep threads in the conversation as well as nostalgic imagery that so many people there would relate to.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We all have unrealized dreams and ideas, projects or creative impulses that have been put away for some other time. I hope this film inspires others to bring those yearnings to the foreground and make those realizations come true for each and everyone of us.
Interview: June 2018
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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
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Life is Art
Even when the human soul is bound by the Russian regime it finds a way to transcend boundaries through the creation of art and connects the lives of those that view it.
Length: 44 min
Director: Oksana Sokol
Producer: Oksana Sokol
Writer: Oksana Sokol, Vladimir Ashikhmin & Lana Chesnokova
About the writer, director and producer:
Oksana has worked in the film industry as a script supervisor for 20 years, this is her debut medium length documentary.
Key cast: Anatol Brusilovsky
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Funders: Independent
Made in association with: Sokol Film Productions