HollyShorts 2018 - They Come From the Center of the World
A journey about a man in the search for happiness.
Interview with Writer/Director Dina Duma
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! My writing process usually starts with exploring a certain emotion that I am experiencing or have experienced before, then I start thinking about characters and situations, and begin creating the world I will later spend time with. With this short film, it was different. I first started thinking about making the film because I wanted to explore the style, thinking that it might fit in my feature film, so it started with the fascination of the narrative form. Later, I started looking for the stories and the emotions that would fit in this film.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
“They come from the center of the world” is a short film that explores several stories and characters, creating a collage of emotions, and giving the audience a unique experience and a glimpse into the main character's journey into finding his path to happiness.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I believe that both the personal and the universal themes work as one, since the story is told through the point of view of one character, and by telling the stories of the other characters, he tells his own. Searching for happiness is the main theme of this short film and I believe it’s both personal and universal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I have never before made this kind of film, so it was challenging for me. I wanted to make a film that would treat several characters with different stories in one short film, and make one whole. I started thinking about the characters, I wrote the script as a sketch, and only later when I cast the characters did finish the script with the help of the actors and their personal stories. Every story in the film resembles a moment that has happened to me or them.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far, I’ve gotten great feedback at the few Q&A’s I’ve attended, and people are curious about the process as well as the cast, and whether they are professional actors or not.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
What I love about this film is that it gives space to the audience to make their own interpretations of the story, and it is always different. Everyone has their own favorite story, or a favorite character. So, yes, the feedback is sometimes surprising in a sense that, just when I think I know everything there is to know about this film, someone would have a different interpretation of it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am very happy to share my short film at wearemovingstories and I hope that it will expand the audience for this short film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, film festival directors, and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I like watching films that break the rules of storytelling, and I think that this film is challenging in that sense, so I hope that it gets recognition from the audience.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The key question is: What is enough to make us happy? Will we ever be happy or just look for more?
Would you like to add anything else?
I just want to say that making this film was quite a journey, especially because it’s a very low budget film and it would not be possible without my producer, crew and cast who strongly believed in this film and supported it.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am developing my feature film, “Sister”, that will go in production in 2019, and I have another upcoming short, “Without Love”, that will premiere soon.
Interview: August 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
They come from the center of the world
A journey about a man in the search for happiness.
Length: 16:18
Director: Dina Duma
Producer: Marija Dimitrova
Writer: Dina Duma
About the writer, director and producer:
DINA DUMA is a writer/director based in Skopje, Macedonia. She has directed several short films and is currently developing her feature film “Sister”.
MARIJA DIMITROVA is a producer and owner of List Production based in Skopje, Macedonia. She has produced several shorts and is now developing the project “Sister” by Dina Duma.
Key cast: Ivana Pavlakovik, Srdjan Janakievik, Ivo Nikolovski, Kaja Krajchevska
Looking for: Sales agents, film festival directors, and journalists
Facebook: List Production
Funders: List Production
Made in association with: Krug Film, FX3X, Light Production
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? LA- Hollyshorts, Thessaloniki and Ljubljana