Tax Time
Bureaucracy is so tedious …
Interview with Director Raphael Buisson Enlas
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I crafted this film because, let's face it, it's a headache we all endure… paying taxes. I wanted to take a step back and shed light on the absurdity of these situations. The film creates a parallel world that's eerily similar to ours, yet not quite the same, offering a unique lens to reflect on the quirks of our shared experiences.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Watch this film to laugh in the face of the universally dreaded: paying taxes. It's a wild ride through the absurdity of the mundane, creating a parallel world that mirrors ours.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Upon reading the script, I immediately drew parallels to my immigration experience in the US. As an immigrant, I encountered a barrage of personal questions, often relating to potential affiliations with extremist ideologies such as being a Nazi during WWII (I’m 27) or a terrorist. This personal resonance enabled me to infuse authenticity into the narrative.
Overall, in the film, this personal journey becomes an exploration of navigating bureaucratic absurdities.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script started with just two characters, but we decided to spice things up by throwing in another one. Now, our main character is really feeling the squeeze, surrounded by tax officers in the bureaucratic chaos. It added a whole new layer to the story that we're pumped about.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We've been getting some solid feedback so far. People are really vibing with the film because they can relate to it. The shared experiences seem to be hitting the right notes and it's great to see the audience connecting with the story.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's encouraging to see people connecting with the core and atmosphere of the film. If anything, it's fueled our desire to expand this into a feature. The positive response has solidified our belief in the potential of the story, and we're eager to explore it on a larger scale. I'm not necessarily referring to the story itself but more to this kind of absurd humor and atmosphere.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We want to grab attention, provoke thought, and leave a lasting impression. By reaching a wider audience, we aim to turn heads, spark conversations, and open doors for new creative ventures.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Producers, distributors, festival directors, agents, and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
A positive reception would be the film resonating with viewers, leaving them both entertained and contemplative, and ideally, hungry for more from our films.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should we pay taxes? Ha Ha.
But seriously, Here's one: How much should the government really be poking its nose into our lives? How intrusive the government can be? And like, where's the line between keeping things running and straight-up invasion of privacy—whether it's our data, cash, or property?
Would you like to add anything else?
Don’t forget to pay your taxes.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m working as a cinematographer for an upcoming sci-fi feature. Additionally, I’m excited to present my recent directorial work, The Optimist, my second feature, alongside various short films and VR projects where I serve as director and DP.
Beyond these projects, I’m nurturing a slate of ideas spanning post-WWII drama in France, sci-fi animated adventure, a multi-perspective narrative in a nightclub, and a neo-noir film about a hacker fugitive embroiled in industrial espionage.
Interview: December 2023
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
Tax Time
Bureaucracy is so tedious …
Length: 5:41
Director: Raphael Buisson Enlas
Producer: Raphael Buisson Enlas, Hayden Croft
Writer: Hayden Croft
About the writer, director and producer:
RAPHAEL BUISSON ENLAS is a French director, producer and cinematographer from Paris based in Los Angeles. He’s the director and screenwriter of two feature films called Stardust (2019) and The Optimist (2022). Raphaël has also directed dozens of short films and commercials while working on productions available on Netflix, 20th Century Studios, Canal+, TF1... Existentialism, freewill, alienation and dreams are the main focus of his films. Raphaël's academic journey includes a Bachelor Degree at King’s College in London, followed by a Master Degree at USC in the Film & TV Production Program in Los Angeles.
Key cast: Victor A. Lin, De End Parker, Ben Solenberger
Instagram: @raphael9619
Hashtags used: #comedy, #dark, #taxes, #film, #shortfilm, #Losangeles, #usa, #california, #cinema, #tax, #bureaucracy, #absurd