Fugue
A man finds a wallet on the street which lands him in trouble with the mafia.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Tarish Tolani
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
For a while, before my film, I've been telling the people around me that being a director is what I want to do for the rest of my life and while I said that, I never really had much to show for it aside from films I made as a student. For my DOP and myself, Fugue was our way to determine where we stand as filmmakers. We wanted to be part of the race to be great filmmakers and this film was our way of determining the starting line.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it's a good story. That's the simplest way to put it We all enjoy stories and we've consumed them in many different forms and the good ones are those that entertain us. I believe we've made an interesting and entertaining film that also pays homage to one of the most iconic film characters of all time. Which character? You'll have to watch it to find out.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I have to be careful not to reveal the mysteries of the film so I'll narrow it down to this: there is a certain level of intrigue that people have with the concept of identity and that fascination has extended itself to many films over time. I just wanted to present a version of a story that many are familiar with and have probably fantasized being a part of at some point.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was something I wrote when I was still in my second year of university and it started with the same plot but it was much more linear with fewer twists. It began and ended in what is now the latter half of the actual film. So over time it got fleshed out and had a bit more added to it in order to further establish the world and the events leading up to the climax.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far the feedback has been quite positive. Most people find it hard to believe that this is the first non-student film that we've made and that has really helped boost our spirits for the next project. What I've appreciated the most though are the criticisms of other filmmakers. It really has been a great learning process to hear from people more experienced than me, about what I can do better next time. That feedback is invaluable and I've been putting their advice into practice already.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has honestly just made me hungrier to improve. I've gone back with each piece of it and watched the film from that perspective countless times. This whole process has really made me realize that I was not wrong to believe that this is what I should be doing in life. I have so much more to learn and that fact really excites me.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It's been more than a year since the film was originally released and I didn't publish it anywhere while it was being sent to various film festivals regionally. By having it feature on We Are Moving Stories, I'd like the film to be spread outside the region and to also gain feedback from a wider range of people. Additionally, I hope that it catches the attention of people within the region who have not seen it as well. If I or anyone from my great cast and crew can get acknowledged or even better gain an opportunity thanks to the film being on this platform, I'd be ecstatic.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great to have distributors and journalists enjoy the film and spread it to various audiences and help my cast and crew gain recognition for their talent, hard work and effort.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The film is a fictional concept and was never made to leave a grand message behind. It was created to entertain and that's all I can ask for; that every person who watches it, is entertained.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Dubai is a vibrant and dynamic city, and its film industry is still growing. I would love Fugue to be a part of the conversation when people talk about the film industry here. I suppose the question would be: "Are there any good films that have come from the film industry in Dubai?"
Would you like to add anything else?
I'm happy to be given a chance to feature my work along with so many other great films that appear on this platform. I sincerely hope you enjoy the film.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently working on a film dealing with the psychology of grief and how people tend to shy away from self-mental care. My core crew is the same so they are all a part of the same project.
The actors in my films are regularly a part of many commercials and plays that are shown here in Dubai, and it's always great to follow their success as artists.
Interview: September 2019
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
Fugue
A man finds a wallet on the street which lands him in trouble with the mafia.
Length: 14:38
Director: Tarish Tolani
Producer: Tarish Tolani, Brendan Lopes
Writer: Tarish Tolani
About the writer, director and producer:
TARISH TOLANI is a filmmaker based in Dubai, who has had a passion for stories from a very young age. He believes that film-making is the perfect medium for combining all his favourite forms of storytelling, and is therefore in pursuit of becoming a renowned writer/director. He hopes to one day produce films that can compete with the best on the global stage.
Key cast: Ashley William Griffiths (Kevin/Brandon Fernandes), Justin Cipriano (Mafia Boss), Adam Stone (Robbie/Shaun Donovan), Ryan D'sa (Security Guard)
Looking for: distributors, journalists
Facebook: Tarish Tolani
Twitter: @TheTarishTolani
Instagram: @thetarishtolani
Hashtags used: #Fugue #FugueShortFilm #shortfilm #dubai #thetarishtolani
Website: tarishtolani.myportfolio.com
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Vimeo, YouTube