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Est. Reading Time: 2 Minutes

On Narration

MARK (M) I would like to discuss the specific line ‘art exists because life is not enough’ - it’s a very moving and memorable quote by Brazilian Poet Ferreira Gullar. Please discuss his influence on your work.    

LUIZ (L) I really love Ferreira Gullar. I think he is the Brazilian poet I have consumed the most to date. The way he writes is certainly an influence for this work. Usually without rhymes, but with a powerful combination of words and sounds. Gullar combines words that are not often found in sentences, changing the tone and sometimes bringing uncertainty into the speaker's voice. He is one of the few who can make a poem (poema sujo) with more than two thousand lines and not have bad parts. I remembered this sentence and I thought it was good to end the short film because it's all that the character gives us through his memories. But I thought of others, which also convey the feeling of what the character is experiencing. I recommend the poem ‘As Peras’ also by Ferreila Gullar.

M It would be great to discuss the narrator’s tone of voice - it is quite deep and brooding. Please tell us about the importance of the narrator’s tone in reflecting the main character’s inner world and shaping the film’s atmosphere?

L When developing the character's physical and mental characteristics, we came to the conclusion that this was a job for a physically similar actor with a deep voice, slightly aged. We went through some actors until we arrived at Rômulo Braga, a nationally awarded actor who could be interested in the project.

The character is in a confused and troubled moment, demonstrating an imprecision in speech. This was the path chosen for the recording of the voice, the experimentation, the actor should not ‘get it right’ all the time. This movie is about mistakes, it's sometimes not knowing where to go. I kept the version that best gave me this feeling during editing. When the actor says “I don’t know”, he laughs temperamentally, and repeats once more “I don’t know what to say” with a wavering voice. This is beautiful!

On Process & Discovery

M In making and finishing the film, what did you discover and learn that you might adopt or further explore in future projects?

L I've participated in several projects but this is the first one where I did both the script and direction. I learned a lot during all the steps - how to manage the team, create a good working environment, how to build collectively and get the best out of each professional. As a project that explores various visual and animation styles, I believe it was a good test to risk any other format in the future. 

Mark’s Final Thoughts

• Fantastic to learn a little more about Ferreila Gullar’s poetry style - his renowned quote will be forever relevant and timely.

  Tags Animation Bourgeon Death Drama Mental Health Narration
  
  
  

The founder of Hommage, Mark Shaba published this interview on 09.06.2022. Mark is a filmmaker from Victoria, Australia. He respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners of the land on which he creates, promotes and screens art, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the custodians.