Category Archives: international Talent

Behind the Scenes, Canadian Talent, international Talent, Intetnational Films, Producer, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

MIGUEL RIVAS: THE FUNNIEST EXECUTIVE PRODUCER YOU’VE NEVER MET

October 19, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Being an Executive Producer (EP) is in many ways similar to being a UFC fighter. You put in an insane amount of hours preparing for the microscopic amount of time that the audience actually witnesses the entertainment which you create. You must predict the action which will take place in your mind, envisioning it months or years before it ever takes place. You choose the team of professionals who will hopefully insure your success. Not to be forgotten, you often feel as if you have had every ounce of energy kicked out of you before it is all over. If it sounds hyperbolic to you, a conversation with Miguel Rivas may alleviate this uncertainty. Rivas is well known in his native Canada (the US is now paying a great deal of attention to him) for his writing and acting abilities but, unknown to the public en masse, he has been the EP overseeing many of the productions for which he has become famous. The combination of writing and acting has given him an overview of what is needed and naturally steered him towards the role of EP.

Many often refer to the role of EP as an honorary title given to marquee name actors and actresses to placate these celebrities. While that may exist in some parts of the entertainment world, this scenario has no presence in Canada’s TV and film industry or Miguel’s experiences. Many times, Rivas has been asked to take on this task as someone who has the understanding of what the production needs as a whole. He states, “Being executive producer means ultimate control, but also maximum stress. The whole project rises or sinks based on how you put it together. That means primarily, finding the right people to work with. On ‘Japan’ and ‘Wanda’ (two of the films by comedy troupe Tony Ho), it was paramount to find people who understood our sensibilities as a group. As EP, you have to organize everything and keep multiple plates spinning at once. Independent films can be hard to fund; finding money and support for our voice was the single most important part of being EP on these projects. Once that was in place, it was just about doing every task, however large or menial, with an eye on making the best film you possibly can.” Tony Ho is one of the most established and lauded Canadian comedy groups to perform both live and on film. With a signature dark comedy style, they appeal to a wide audience by tackling the highly stressful situations that many of us face, or hope to never face. Japan won the Grand Prize for best film at the Laugh Sabbath Film Fest at NXNE, while Wanda was also recognized at the same Film Fest. Both films present the stresses that modern professions and love lives have on the average person, with ridiculous…sometimes fatal outcomes. Tony Ho’s Roger Bainbridge (Nolan in Japan) confirms the importance of Miguel as EP for the film, stating, “I was really fortunate to have Miguel as an executive producer on Japan with me. Most Tony Ho films feature just the three of us and maybe 1 or 2 more people but Japan required a large cast and many locations over different days. Miguel did a great job of finding the right people for the job, making sure they were paid well, organizing their schedules, and arranging the shoot days so that we could use the extras efficiently without wasting anyone’s time. Miguel was also key in finding our shoot locations. He did a great job in writing the script for Japan, but the humor comes from the fast pace of the story. We needed lots of locations to make the script work. Miguel used his connections to get us locations that would fit our script and budget. That was the beauty of having Miguel as both writer and executive producer, he turned a complicated script into an easy shoot. We didn’t have to compromise.” Adam Niebergall plays Marty (the recipient of some opportunistic nepotism) in Japan and reinforces Bainbridge’s take on Miguel’s abilities and expertise on Japan. Adam comments, “You can tell Miguel really loves making movies because he’s so calm about it all the time. On Japan there were lots of different people involved; extras, cameramen, transportation people, etc. Everyone went to Miguel to ask questions. He was the one who communicated with everyone, either in person or by phone/text, and everyone trusted what he said. Strong leadership is important on film projects and Miguel inspires confidence in everyone involved. Plus, he’s always nice about it. He never yells at anyone. He’s always more than happy to answer anyone’s questions. You can tell he’s thankful to everyone for helping to make the movie. He knows what he wants to do and accomplish and how to bring out the best in everyone’s work.” Daniel Beirne, the director of Wanda, reiterates, “he had no problem switching from his “actor/writer hat” to his “executive producer” hat. He was respectful of the crew we had there and made sure everyone was ok to keep working or asked if we should take a break. I love working with Miguel because he treats the set as a collective project; even though he was writer, actor and executive producer, everyone was equally important.”

As proof that he is no one-trick-pony, Miguel has applied this same template to music videos for a variety of modern artists. Alt Altman is the solo Toronto musician, Digits. Having toured all over the world, he’s released several successful international singles and albums under various monikers. He’s been shortlisted for the prestigious PRISM prize. Digits sought out Bainbridge because of the multiple strengths that he could bring to a production. The video for “Street Violence” (Named one of the Top 5 videos of the year by Exclaim!, featured on VICE, and MuchMusic) is an epic tale of the downfall of society and one couple’s attempts to evade the gangs who rule the streets. While the gang monikers are often comedic, the action which takes place and the anger that is vented on individuals throughout the course of the video, carries a sobering impact. Digits declares, “It’s Hard not to have only great things to say about Miguel. The cast and crew that he assembled, the storyline, the costumes, and the fact that it was finished in a matter of days…I’m so pleased with the video and the response it has gotten!” Jay McCarrol is a member of the hugely successful band Brave Shores, whose pop song “Never Come Down” was a huge hit. Jay is also one of the minds behind the web series Nirvana: The Band The Show, which had a large premier at TIFF. Rivas produced two videos for Brave Shores, “Never Come Down” (which has amassed nearly 700 thousand views on YouTube and was featured on Silent Shout, MuchMusic and VICE) and “More Like You.” McCarrol refers to Miguel noting, “As an artist, it’s important to have a professional who will listen to your ideas; Miguel is that kind of artist. He made sure Stef (Stefanie McCarrol, sister/bandmate) and I were comfortable with the concepts and took our ideas into consideration during the early phase. I like that he was flexible and fun. He is the best to work with. He also knew how, as producer, to stretch a dollar, which believe me, is needed with music videos.” While “Never Come Down” is upbeat in tone and comedic in action, “More Like You” is somber and introspective in terms of the music as well as the visuals that accompany it in the video. Rivas comments, “The music videos were slightly different as funding was secured beforehand and the task then focuses a little tighter. A major duty when acting as EP is making sure everyone at all levels of the project is happy and involved in the right way. For the Brave Shores music videos, I was the liaison between our projects and Universal Music as well as the band. You have to be level headed and a little political to make sure everything gets done in a way you’re happy with. It can be doubly difficult to occupy other roles (writer, actor, director) while acting as EP, but it offers an ability to control and lead things in a way that I find very satisfying.”

Perhaps what stands out most when considering all the aspects and talents of Miguel Rivas is that he is foremost a conduit for himself as well as others to communicate a story. He might be involved in creating lines, delivering lines, or finding the right people to finance the microphone that captures the lines which someone else is speaking; whatever the vehicle of delivery, Miguel is somewhere in there grinding away because he believes in the art of telling a great story.

Artist, film crew, international Talent, Intetnational Films, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

PUSHING HER ARTISTRY TO NEW PLACES: BINBIN MA

October 19, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

A good artist is someone who invests a great deal of their life into mastering the skills needed to communicate their vision. The recipe doesn’t end there. They are driven and inspired by the work of others, sometimes through the previous work of others and sometimes due to the collaborative effort in which they take part. This “inspiring and receiving” cycle is the creative representation of Ourboros. Without it, the Arts would become stale. It contains all the essential elements of a good artist. Greatness is similar to this but contains one extra and paramount facet; the willingness to try things that are uncomfortable, the desire to take chances by traversing into unknown areas with the understanding that failure is a distinct possibility. Only by testing our limitations can we expand beyond them. If one’s desire is to recreate perfect art, being good is more than substantial, but if one desires greatness…well, it is a good idea to get comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable. This idea could be considered artistic CrossFit. Binbin Ma understands this concept. As a story board artist and graphic designer on many successful and lauded films, Ma has used her artistic abilities to enable directors and cinematographers to conceptualize, materialize on paper, and communicate their collective vison to the cast and film crew. She has become a sought-after artist due to her abilities on paper as well as her insight into tailoring her images to the specific filmmakers she works with. Binbin has brought her skills to award winning films such as; Robots & Cowboys, Stand Up, & the heart-wrenching and inspiring Happy Tree. In striving for greatness, Ma has tested herself in both new avenues as well as thought provoking subject matter. The challenges which she takes on in an attempt to grow as a consummate storyboard artist and graphic designer testify that Ma is a professional who wants to break new ground in her own field by understanding the inner workings of her peers and coworkers.

For the film Nothing But Her, Ma took on the Herculean task of not only Storyboard Artist and Graphic Designer but also Writer, Director, and Editor. The film was her attempt to step into the shoes of those she so often works with while also expressing a creative vision of her own. Nothing But Her is the story of a man (Jim) who observes his father’s Alzheimer condition worsen, a condition which puts Jim’s wife in danger at one point. This places Jim in a very uncomfortable and difficult situation. Binbin took on this film and its heavy subject matter as a way to see the different sides of telling such an emotionally demanding story. The idea came from her personal/cultural inspirations. Ma reveals, “It was my second year after leaving my home. I was homesick. In China, we have an old saying “child doesn’t travel if parents are still alive”. In our culture, Chinese think filial piety is the highest priority of all. Family vs. self-development has inspired me to ask ‘What if a young man had to choose between his Alzheimer’s family member and a pregnant wife.’ Making this film was a great experience for me. My skills as a storyboard artist and graphic designer saw immediate improvement after this experience. It was such a great way to learn and improve.” Because of her perspective as an artist over the course of her career, Nothing But Her displayed Binbin’s signature framing and composition. The film was received quite well with appearances in 2016 at Cannes, the Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival, and the Los Angles Independent Film Festival Awards.

Cinematographer Xuexue Pan (credits includes the critically acclaimed family drama The Key, the widely celebrated film Dancer from Picture, and the fan-favorite horror film Depth, to name only a few) states, “Ms. Ma is a storyboard artist of the highest caliber. She performed several leading roles for the critically acclaimed film Nothing But Her, but in addition, she has established herself as an enormously accomplished storyboard artist of the highest regard within her field. Her prowess is unparalleled in the industry. Her achievements in the industry have cemented her as a creative force to be reckoned with. Binbin’s achievements not only establish her as one of the most outstanding and accomplished storyboard artists in her field, they also qualify her as a genuinely one of a kind storyboard artist and graphic designer.”

There is a good reason that the Boston LGBT Film Festival nominated the film The Ex Factor for the Audience Choice award in 2016. While this community has gained many legal rights in modern US society, they are still challenged with being viewed with the same level of emotional validation and “normalcy” of other couples and relationships. One of the reasons (and intent) of the filmmakers to hire Binbin as the Storyboard Artist for The Ex Factor was a desire to portray the characters and action of the film in a romantic tone with use of images and lighting; Ma was the first step in creating this. Using headshots of the actors and meeting with director Chantal Le Hunte to discuss the mood served to inform Binbin of the “vibe” which was paramount to placing the audience in the desired emotional environment. Le Hunte declares, “Ms. Ma’s unparalleled talent for our film was such an integral element to the overall production of the film that I have no reservations in attributing her with our enormous critical acclaim. The Ex Factor was nominated for the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film from the critically acclaimed Boston LGBT Film Festival, and received Official Selections from the Los Angeles CineFest, the Indie Night Film Festival, and the California Women’s Film Festival, to name a short few. After only one meeting about the images we needed for our film, she completed the storyboards in a way that allowed me to perfectly communicate my ideas to the cast and crew, thereby making our filming process successful and enjoyable. The accolades we received are directly attributable to the work that Binbin did on The Ex Effect.”

These two films are proof of a professional who, while still at a young age, has amassed an impressive list of credentials and yet always strives to learn and grow as an artist. Binbin Ma is a team player who is also a gifted artist, always ready to lend her talents to the ideas of others in order to create the films which allow us all to view the joys and hardships of others…while hopefully being inspired by their journey.

Artist, film crew, international Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

MARI LAPPALAINEN BRINGS AUTHENTICITY TO A FRIGHTENING FILM

October 11, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Masters of any field are not born, they are made. However, some individuals possess attributes which cause them to be ahead of the crowd. Those who are leaders in their field have become so because they recognize there is always another way to hone and define their abilities. Mari Lappalainen is this type of professional. Although she has many films and television productions to her credit, Gehenna: Where Death Lives was her first horror film as Production Designer. Director Hiroshi Katagiri recognized her talent as well as the opportunity for her to experience a new genre of film, partly due to his own experience. The film is also Katagiri’s directorial debut, which meant he took care to insulate himself with a crew he completely trusted. Lappalainen is known for her work as an Art Director on films such as: Danny Boy, Share, Awaken, and others but has been working increasingly as a Production Designer crafting the look of a film early on. Katagiri is lauded for his special effects makeup career (working with Steven Spielberg on Jurassic Park, A.I., and War of the Worlds as well as films with Rob Marshal, Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, and others). There was a kinship shared between Lappalainen and Katagiri as talent recognized talent. With Gehenna, the results were entertaining, chilling, and culture blending. A great deal of this is a result of the look of the aesthetics of the film which Mari and Hiroshi worked so hard to create.

Gehenna is the story of a group of American real estate developers who travel to Saipan to scout land on which to build their next hotel resort. Unknown to the group, the area is sacred land that had been cursed centuries ago. They cross paths with an old Japanese WW2 bunker and enter to see if this will be an issue for their development. Soon, the door gets shut and the team is at the mercy of the curse; a curse which states that the last one alive loses and must face eternity alone in the dark. Although the film’s setting is on this Pacific island, the actual filming took place in Los Angeles. Director Hiroshi Katagiri is a stickler for authenticity. This meant that he took Lappalainen, as well as the Cinematographer, and Line Producer on a trip to Saipan to get a feel for how the set should be. Mari recalls, “The story was set in Saipan, on a small island across the world with significant WW2 memories. To get the feel of Saipan, their history of the war, and get accurate references for our Japanese bunker set to be built in Los Angeles, we flew to Saipan in early September. We scouted our filming locations there and photographed old war time bunkers and materials/finishes for reference. As almost everything in prop and set dressing wise was Japanese, I spent a few days in Tokyo to look for our hero props and set dressing references from museums and archives of the war period.”

As Production Designer, Lappalainen used some modern tools to give Hiroshi and the crew the most realistic sense of what the set should look like. Mari comments, “For Gehenna, I did the 3D modeling myself, adding textures to the model to show the director what we would be expecting and helped him to develop ideas for the storyboards and imagine the blocking for the action. It took a lot of research, especially for the small details as it was a Japanese WW2 bunker. There were no standing sets in Los Angeles like this so we had to create if from scratch. We looked at Japanese war movies and went to museums to learn about Japan at this time.”

Mari took great care to study the script for Gehenna, breaking down the script to understand the needs of the film in terms of visual language and character. Her trip to Japanese museums gave her a complete understanding of how the troops quarters were organized as well as the psychological and emotional “vibe” of the space; an element key to the actors and the audience getting a sense of the surroundings.

Gehenna: Where Death Lives was an obvious success as its inclusion in so many well-known festivals attests. Gehenna was selected to The New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), the Bram Stoker International Film Festival 2016 (UK Premiere), A Night of Horror film festival in Australia, and LA’s Shriekfest. Katagiri states, “Gehenna is a biblical term for a horribly evil place, and Saipan was the site of the heaviest fighting of WWII. To keep my vision, the look of the film needed to communicate this with the surroundings in an unspoken way; Mari Lappalainen made this happen flawlessly. She perfectly achieved creating the setting I imagined.” Lappalainen’s foray into horror films proves that her consummate abilities as a Production Designer translate from genre to genre. Being vetted by a recognized leader in the horror, fantasy, and sci-fi genres like Hiroshi Katagari is certain to bring Mari continued work. Whether in a romance, drama, comedy, or horror film, Mari will be bringing her self-demanding work ethic to the positive reviews of filmmakers and audiences alike.

Actor, Behind the Scenes, Canadian Talent, international Talent, Intetnational Films, Producer, Reviews, Interviews & Features!, Triple Threat

A GUIDE TO PROPER AND IMPROPER VIEWING OF JAPAN

September 30, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Artists are dangerous; not in a “hold you at gunpoint demanding your wallet or your life” kind of way but rather, they can be highly intelligent people who use their talent to sway both individual and mass opinion/sensibilities. If you upset a writer, they can compose something that addresses you in a subversive way. An actor might deliver the lines in a subliminal tone, guiding you to a feeling that might differ from what is instinctual for you. All that is needed is an Executive Producer to enable them to make it all happen. Combine all three of these with a slightly sarcastic comedic wit and timing and you’ll get Roger Bainbridge…the most interstin…err, dangerous man on Earth…well, at least in Canadian entertainment. Comedians and comic actors get away with saying and displaying some truly awful things by delivering them in a way that shines a light on their ridiculousness. Case in point; Bainbridge had seen many of his friends taken advantage of as unpaid interns. Not only did these people not receive monetary compensation for their toil but, they were quite often not treated with respect. As a writer and an actor with the resources to green light a film, Roger used his role as a part of the Canadian comedy group Tony Ho to create, produce, and present Japan. The film reveals the politics and disrespect (in a very funny way) of the modern office template.

Roger Bainbridge has worn a lot of hats in his career; writer, actor, music video director, executive producer, but he is most commonly associated with Tony Ho (the aforementioned Canadian comedy group). Tony Ho enjoys tackling ideas like threesomes (Wanda), dysfunctional family dynamics laced with time travel (Time), etc. No subject seems to eclectic for Tony Ho. Bainbridge was inspired to write Japan based on the shared office experience many of us have. He explains, “The impetus for writing Japan was seeing a lot of my friends being forced to take unpaid internships at places that really should have been paying them, and seeing how messed up the job market was at the time for people just getting out of school. From there I just thought about what might spurn a change of heart in someone in charge of the hiring. I worked briefly in an office where we did subtitling, so it wasn’t a really traditional office. Everyone had headphones on, pretty cut off from everyone else. No one really spoke to each other, it was all done through email. So I guess I was just left with an impression of people being timid to go talk to anyone, which creates this awkward tension, and tension is really at the heart of comedy.” As the writer of Japan, Roger had the inspiration and the skill to conceive the notes of his comedic sonata and as the EP he could find and reserve the concert hall, he simply needed to proper “musicians” to perform the piece with the delivery and skill that would inspire his trust.

Tony Ho has been creating comedy for over a decade. You don’t stay in any relationship that long unless you have a deep caring and trust of the other(s) involved. Once he had conceived the idea for Japan and written the lines, Bainbridge immediately understood that Tony Ho were the best performers suited to make the film. The trio of Tony Ho has spent more than a decade creating and performing together both live and on screen. Roger refers to Adam Niebergall and Miguel Rivas as two of the funniest and most interesting performers he has ever worked with. Niebergall diverts praise to Bainbridge stating, “He’s a ‘taste maker’ and he’s incredibly compelling. I’ve spent a decade or so working with him in comedy and I still can’t ever see it coming. I’m amazed by Roger’s Vision. He has an unwavering integrity with his comedy. His work is so good because he is always asking himself what he would want to watch and he would never bother making anything that doesn’t pass that test. I think a lot of people write things with the mentality “Oh, this would be good; people are talking about this right now.” and a lot of times that type of thing can come off flat. You can tell when a comedy writer isn’t obsessed with her/his subject matter. Roger knows what he wants to say as a writer and for me that’s always much more compelling to pay attention to. He’s always one step ahead. He thrives on making people think about themselves and it really motivates his work.”

With the writing of Japan completed and Tony Ho set to star in the film, Roger’s job as EP meant he would acquire the production team that would capture the action of Japan. Henry Sansom was the professional that Bainbridge entrusted to be seated behind the camera. DOP Sansom echoes Adam Niebergall’s sentiments, declaring,” In my experience, Roger Bainbridge is one of the most talented and disciplined minds in comedy in Toronto. Not only an incredible actor dedicated to craft and context, he is a star writer of subtlety, relevance, and boldness. Without seeming too fellating, if there was only one artist I could work with for the rest of my career, and know that every project was able to reach the highest standard, that would be Roger Bainbridge.” Inspiring confidence in others is the template of Roger’s career, a worthy attribute for someone whom both creates and enables the filmmaking process. The fact that he is so adept at creating the storylines and situations that take place on camera might divert one’s attention from the fact that Bainbridge is such a respected an accomplished actor. A viewing of his many diverse roles and the temperament of his characters serves as a confirmation that he is truly in his element in front of the camera.

Roger reveals the tone that he wanted for the action on film as he communicates, “In making Japan, we knew we were really pushing ourselves to make something more relatable in tone of comedy, pace, and look, so it was nice to have it be received so well by people who

have seen it. Our stuff can tend to be a bit more challenging, so this was a test to see if we could dip a toe in something a little more mainstream, and people seem to like it.” Centering on the stereotype that the Japanese culture is focused on workplace competition and Karaoke leads Miguel’s character to force Roger and Adam to compete in a sing-off with the winner being awarded a paid position for the company. While Sophie B Hawkins “I Wish I Was Your Lover” has never been so amusing, it’s the flashbacks and narration that empower the performances to have deeper laughs than simply the action might elicit on their own. Japan has a greater level of complexity in terms of the number of sets and number of cast members involved than many of the Tony Ho productions. There is a trait that enables Japan and the theme to be irreverent to the stereotypes that the general public often feels comfortable buying into. Bainbridge agrees, “I think Canadians have a unique take on comedy because we have the benefit of being influenced by both American and British comedy. The British style can be a great deal more subtle and satirical and American stuff can be so in-your-face and broad and angry. I think we have the ability to marry those two influences in an interesting way. I have never been to Japan, and that’s deliberately part of the humor of the piece for me. I like it when people feel like they completely understand a place by just gleaning bits and pieces of their culture as it’s been distorted through media. The larger joke is that these are ideas people may hold about Japan while not actually knowing anything about the place.” Bainbridge is currently in development for TV productions with Tony Ho. With successful comedy albums, his involvement heading films and music videos, Roger Bainbridge is equipped to bring the full package to the home viewing public.

Behind the Scenes, international Talent, Producer, Reality TV

DRAMA ON A DESOLATE ISLE WITH GRIVAS KOPTI

September 27, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

UK based Naked Entertainment is the producer of a new reality show titled Stripped and Stranded, commissioned by Channel 5. This factual-entertainment series is not about unclad individuals on a desert island but rather, it shows multi-generational families attempting to complete challenges while relying on each other for support and survival. The real goal of the show is to present all viewers with someone whom they can relate to regardless of what age and background they come from. Even more importantly, the show wants to reveal that we all struggle with relating to someone in our own family and should not discount their potential contributions to our life. One of the great things about reality TV is that it allows the public to see “regular” people, representative of all walks of life. We wanted to find out more about the contestants and the programs itself, so we approached leading casting producer Grivas Kopti. As the person at the heart of finding, researching, and presenting the family members on Stripped and Stranded, Grivas has a perspective unique to all others involved. Mike Warner, Senior Executive Producer at Naked Entertainment sought out Kopti because, in his own words, “He is undoubtedly one of the industry’s most prominent associate producers, and I am positive that he is among the most elite in his field. Mr. Kopti’s involvement on many celebrated and nationally distributed programs is an excellent example of the undeniable success that Grivas brings when he performs the leading role of associate producer.”

Stripped and Stranded was filmed in Panama but the process began in England with casting. The goal of the show was to find families with multiple generations. This meant that normal social media blasts would not work as many of the older generations are not as tech-savvy and tech-conscious. Online forums, newspapers, as well as social media were used to attract interested applicants. Following extensive interviews, Kopti worked with an editor to create 1:30sec Skype audition tapes which were then used to decide which four families would offer the most interest as well as the greatest potential for growth. For those unfamiliar with the role of leading casting producer, Grivas found the applicants, screened them, produced pitch tapes, produced and oversaw all legal paperwork for applicants (on a survival series!), and wrote extensive family biographies which are key in shaping the narrative of each episode. Essentially, Kopti performed as interviewer, legal advisor, film producer and editor, and journalist…all before the show began filming!

Grivas has an extensive and highly successful career in casting. He has been in charge of finding the “right” people for reality shows like; Tattoo Fixers on Holiday, Celebs Go Dating, Naked Attraction, Couples Come Dine with Me, and numerous others. As someone who has always been able to talk and connect with strangers, his natural talent resonates well in the TV industry. His desire to focus on Reality TV is centered around the diversity that it depicts in society. He states, “There is always a magical element to seeing faces on TV that you don’t usually see or wouldn’t expect to see; especially in a show like this one, where we really delve into people’s lives and dysfunction. That’s one of the biggest takeaways for the viewers, insight into communities and homes you don’t see too often.”

The challenge of Reality TV shows like Stripped and Stranded is to show real people in a way that we can all relate. However, most of us don’t find ourselves stranded on a desert island, fighting for survival. The subtext of the show, and its true goal is to depict how family members relate to each other when times are good and bad. The producers hope that, in seeing the drama and struggles exhibited on-screen, viewers will not only discuss, but also learn from the challenges which the contestants endure. Grivas feels confident that all viewers will find something relatable, as did he, revealing, “One of the families was unable to communicate effectively and make decisions simply because most, if not all members, are extremely headstrong, proud and constantly talk (scream!) over each other. I come from a feisty Greek family, so that explains a bit there. You definitely know when we are home; as do our neighbors.”

Stripped and Stranded could be considered “extreme” family therapy. The families learned a great deal (good and bad) about their own feelings as well as those of their family members when confronted with dire circumstances. Just as in counseling, participants were faced with uncomfortable thoughts and history in order to move ahead and grow. Kopti confirms, “After carrying out in-depth research, we concluded that, when faced with challenges and obstacles to overcome collectively, people in disagreement are more likely to put their differences to one side to overcome the hurdles they are faced with. We wanted to put that to the test and see what happens when families who are in some sort of crisis are stripped of their technology and other modern comforts and left on a deserted island for an amount of time to fend for themselves. What took me by surprise, even after extensive casting interviews and from meeting our contributor’s prior to filming, was just how much the families had not communicated amongst themselves. There were a lot of stones unturned and things never said. As families, we want to avoid things instead of dealing with them – which is so detrimental to a family’s dynamic and bond in the long run. Ultimately, from an editorial perspective, we wanted to achieve some resolution and peace at the end of each episode/story. We were hoping to say that when we take away every day distractions and modern comforts from people, we can actually instigate healthier communication and positive, healthy relationships.”

The filming location for the show is Panama. The crew obviously needed open and remote locations as the “stripped” part of the show’s title refers to being stripped of modern conveniences. The natural aesthetics of Panama produced a pleasant backdrop dichotomous to the tense action. Grivas relates, “It’s beautiful landscape. It’s paradise. For a show of this scale, as Stripped and Stranded was, we need to ensure we have an elaborate space, so Panama seemed perfect. It has many different sides to it. Obviously you have Panama City, then you have the beautiful islands. Both were great as a backdrop for the show. It wasn’t only the cast that was at risk for this production. Most of the crew was petrified of exotic spiders and snakes; you can only prepare so much for those kind of things. I think education is key, more than anything, to know how to best handle a potential encounter with a dangerous species.

Stripped and Stranded has yet to air which means you won’t find any spoilers here. Only the participants and the producers know the actual outcome. While much of Kopti’s work has focused on individuals relating to other individuals, he finds the familial aspect of Stripped and Stranded to be very rewarding and complex. Grivas confirms, “Every generation will have something to say and things they want to change, that’s just natural. Parents want the best for their children, but need to accept that that it’s not necessarily what they had in mind for them. And I think that’s okay. It’s certainly something I battle over with my parents.” Stripped and Stranded will soon air on UK’s Channel 5.

Actor, Actor Profile, Featured Actress, international Talent, Interviews & Features!, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

From Acting to Covering the Red Carpet, Shanika Ocean has Our Attention

September 23, 2016 Scott Prewitt Leave a comment

Shanika Ocean at the Vin & Omi show, Congress Hall, London, 2016

After years of hard work and dedication, London-native Shanika Ocean has truly done it all — from her innumerable roles in film and television, to hosting television shows live from the red carpet, to a number of widely acclaimed performances as a singer in internationally broadcast competitions. A naturally gifted thespian, she’s a master of adapting to any and every role that comes her way. That talent has proven invaluable in an industry where many actors are often limited in the scope and range of their performing.

Ocean got her first taste of the spotlight as a child modelling and appearing on several children’s BBC shows. She then went on to take part in the British vocal competition series “The Choir.” The show saw her travel to China, where she performed for audiences watching around the world on international television. It gave her a chance to show off her vocal chops, but moreover it was that experience which set her on the path of a career in front of the camera.

“It was the first series I ever did and it was amazing to audition and then be picked along with 20 other people to be part of the choir,” Ocean recalled. “We flew to China to represent Great Britain in the World Choir Olympics and it was an experience I will never forget.”

In the film “Do Us Part,” Ocean delivers an unsettling performance as the lead character Shea, a woman driven to madness by her boyfriend’s incessant philandering.

“She was sweet and innocent and pretty much the perfect girlfriend,” Ocean said, describing Shea before her boyfriend’s constant cheating sends her past her breaking point. “Then the next minute she gets a gun and shoots her boyfriend. She can’t take it anymore.”

The film effectively makes audiences empathize with both Shea and her boyfriend, seeing each as both the villain and the victim. The morbid tragedy gives viewers a peek into the psyche of the serial cheater and the betrayed girlfriend who kills him.

Not all of Ocean’s roles are as dark as “Do Us Part” however, such as her role on “The T-Boy Show.” The British series stars Tolu Lope as the titular T-Boy, a wealthy Nigerian teen who travels to England to live with his working class aunt and awkward cousin.

“In the episode, T-Boy is upset with Abigail, the girl that he loves. She isn’t interested in him so he decides to go on a date with my character, Ella,” said Ocean. “Ella is not at all who he thought she was, and to make things worse Abigail catches him in the act.”

Ocean’s roles span from the light-hearted to the unhinged, from dramas to comedies to action-packed thrillers, and everything in between. But in addition to all of that, Ocean is perhaps best known for her countless appearances as a host and presenter on an array of series over the years. One such series was the enormously popular “Unplugged” on OH TV, which has given new or unsigned artists and bands the opportunity to become breakout sensations in the music industry. In addition to “Unplugged,” Ocean has hosted a myriad of other programs and events, notably the 2012 MOBO Awards, Capital Xtra Radio, and has covered London Fashion Week since 2015 as well as L.A. Fashion Week in 2016 for Fashion Thirst UK, which provides viewers with all the latest news and trends in the world of high fashion.

“When I did the red carpet at the MOBO Awards, that was a big moment for me,” she said. “I had always watched the MOBOs since I was a child and I had always wanted to go. And now here I was, interviewing celebrities from the likes of Rita Ora, Dionne Warwick, TLC and Emeli Sande.”

Ocean just finished shooting her latest project, the first episode of the upcoming series “Pursuit,” in which she gets to show off her skills as an action-star in the role of Officer Torres.

“I was running around with a gun, which I had never done before. I didn’t even know how to hold a gun properly when I started,” she said with a laugh. “But it was super fun and took me out of my comfort zone, and has made me really want to focus on doing action projects. I literally felt like I was in CSI.”

For someone whose skillset is as diverse as Ocean’s, it can often be more difficult to choose roles than to find them. After her roles in film, television, theater and her dozens of hosting and presenting credits, Ocean has developed a simple method of choosing her projects.

“Sometimes when I am given a script to read, I can feel the character and visualize myself playing them instantly,” Ocean said. “If I have that feeling, I know the role is for me.”

Actor, Actor Profile, international Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

CHERNYSH SHOWS HIS DARKER SIDE IN MULE

September 10, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

In 1984, a film buff who was working at a video store in Manhattan Beach, California wrote a script with a friend. Three years later, that same video store employee would turn that script into a film. The budget was a miniscule $5,000 but that film (My Best Friend’s Birthday) and the screenplay would become the basis for the film True Romance. Quentin Tarantino and his story have inspired legions of filmmakers and their work; filmmakers like Angus Bell Young. This Director/Writer/Producer and his award-winning film Mule are exactly the kind of gritty black drama/comedy that Tarantino is so fond of in his productions. There is something sad and funny about the foibles of humanity and their shortcomings. You can choose to cry or laugh and these filmmakers want to laugh. These filmmakers need a particular type of actor for their productions; someone whom audiences can both admire and hate. Very often they embody the anti-hero. Quentin’s films have given actors like Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen the opportunity to play previously unexplored areas of their abilities and given light to the depth of their range. In Young’s Mule, he provided the same opportunity to Australian actor Caleb Chernysh. Mule won the Certificate of Excellence at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival. It’s highly unusual for a foreign film to be recognized with the Certificate of Excellence at this festival; it’s an achievement which is a testament to Chernysh and the entire production.

Caleb plays Martin in Mule. Martin is not the kind of man who is destined for success or even making the most of his opportunities. In fact, he’s not even the kind of guy that Caleb would want to hang around with or befriend in real life even though the actor feels sorry for him. Martin is a “Fryboy” at a local takeaway, not that there is anything wrong with that…it’s an honest living. What is not so honest or endearing is the fact that Martin only does this job as a way of allowing him to eek by some type of earnings and focus on his heroin addiction. Sadly, this situation is the way in which many addicts struggle for as long as they can hold their lives together with some sense of normalcy. To inspire him for the role, Chernysh turned to the performance of one of today’s most celebrated actors and an early role of his. Caleb confirms, “I watched Leonardo DiCaprio in the Basketball Diaries. It’s one of my favorite movies from Leo. I emulated his character’s drug addiction traits, and used it in my performance. His character in the movie has so much potential and yet he is throwing it all away. It’s the kind of story and performance that makes you upset because you can see how everything is controlling him.” This 1995 movie, based on the book of the same title from the 1960’s and published in the 1970’s displays how this story is timeless…being found just as relevant in the mid 2010’s.

Chernysh (known for his film roles in Fractured, The Gap, Life Lesson, and TV shows like Quite Frankly) is proud of Mule’s recognition and his part in it. Caleb’s performance as Martin is frustrating, depressing, angering, and comical. That’s quite a range for one film and one actor. Martin is a lonely man, working as a burger chef. Because of his heroin addiction, he has a debt to his dealer “Frenchy.” Typically, Martin dodges Frenchy because he owes her money but after shooting up, he loses his inhibitions and finds her at her trading location…which is when things start to go wrong. Caleb describes Martin stating, “He’s a loner who has basically lost hope for life and only lives for heroin. I don’t do drugs or associate with people who do, so I couldn’t really use that knowledge to help me understand Martin. One thing everyone has experienced is pain. Heroin is really just a way to avoid that pain, whether it be a bad experience, a sense of loss, or even physical pain. It’s an overwhelming loss of hope that things will improve. Channeling that feeling helps you to feel what motivates a drug addict.”

The experience of making Mule was unusual for Chernysh in just about every way, including the casting audition. He recalls, “Angus posted an audition notice on Starnow. I applied for the role of Martin and he sent me a script. We had an initial meeting in a coffee shop, which, at first, I found unusual as I’m used to an audition room. After talking to each other about the script, I was given the part on the spot. Angus is an amazing guy to work for and I can’t wait to work with him again. He is very edgy and also very funny. When I read the script the first time, I was certain that the writer was influenced by Quentin Tarantino. We all know with Quentin’s movies ..its mainly crime/comedy. I saw the dark humor that Angus was trying to portray, and that’s why I was cast…because I understood the script. I think that is one of the things that people don’t always consider. Filmmakers want a great performance but they really need someone who understands the way in which they are trying to communicate the story. That perspective or reference point is so important.” Mule’s director/writer/editor Angus Bell Young agrees with Caleb commenting, “Caleb’s resume came to me whilst I was casting for Mule and I noticed he studied at the Actor’s Centre, which is the same school that Hugh Jackman attended. That impressed me, along with his credits, and I decided to meet him. I met him at a café and had a chat about the character and gave him the part straight away. I wanted the character Martin to also be a comic relief in this project, which meant I needed an actor who understood the character and their place in the story arc. During the shoot he went above and beyond. I added some scenes on the spot and some new directions throughout the shoot, and Caleb had no trouble keeping up and delivering the exact type of performance I needed.”

Technology and the public’s support of Indie films has made productions like this award-winning film possible with smaller production teams. The art of storytelling and the means by which high quality presentation meets intriguing and compelling storylines has become much more commonplace than ever before, resulting in great films and entertainment for the viewing public. Caleb Chernysh agrees, noting, “You get to know each crew member during breaks when it’s a small production. Sometimes in larger production, you don’t get to have the same personal relationships as you do with the smaller ones. With independent productions, you are part of a family and the film is everyone’s baby.”

Actor, Actor Interview, Actor Profile, Film, international Talent, Interviews & Features!, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Exclusive Q&A With “Love By Chance” Talent Vishal Arora

September 7, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

“Love By Chance” star Vishal Arora has been appearing in stage plays, music videos and television series’ for several years. Much of Arora’s work has appeared on India’s well-known channel Bindass, a famous youth channel known for programs targeting the country’s younger generation.

Recently, Arora played the character of a Customer Care Executive on one of Bindass’s hit television series titled “Love By Chance.” Just this week, I had the chance to sit down with Arora and discuss the details of his character’s storyline within the episode, all outlined in our exciting interview below.

Currently, you’re living in Los Angeles, California. Where were you born and raised?
VA: I was born and raised in Ambala Cantt, Haryana north part of India. After completing my bachelor’s degree in computers, I moved to Mumbai where I started my acting career. I did theatre in the beginning and began getting work in TV Serials a year after. Since then, for the past four years, I have been working TV, music videos and commercial jobs.

For how many years have you been acting? Where did you initially get your start?
VA: It’s been 5 years now since I started initially. I began with theatre roles and from there began booking commercial projects.

Who and what inspired your acting career early on?
VA: My love of acting stems from my childhood; I love to live different lives, which is possible through this art form. In my school days I performed on stage. Whenever I perform on stage, it gives me a type of freedom we mostly don’t get in real life because of society rules and regulation in addition to rituals in my country. When I act, I’m living my dream. When I was younger, the stage was a great platform to begin with. From there, once you get started professionally, getting work helps you make a name for yourself and your family, which is exciting when you have the whole world watching your work.

“Love By Chance” is an episodic show that airs on Bindass TV where you played the character of a Customer Care Executive. What more can you tell me about the show’s plot? More so, what can you tell me about your character?
VA: It’s a fun filled story about a character named Joshi meeting a character named Ishita one day at work. My character and Joshi work for a glue manufacturing company. He is a door-to-door salesman for this brand glue and I work in the customer care back office called Lo Chipak Gaya where we work together. It is his 31st day at work and he has failed to meet the monthly sales target. He is under great pressure to perform. That’s when he steps out for some hard selling and meets Ishita. As soon as Ishita buys the glue – Joshi asks for a high five. Accidentally, some glue had gotten on to their hands as the glue bottles were faulty and then he calls me for a solution because I am his close friend and always he relies on me to solve his problems. Their hands get glued together and Ishita has a whole day of tasks planned ahead. From being an irritating sales man stuck with her to solving her problems throughout the day, Joshi eventually gets fired, but my character still motivates him while he’s leaving. In the end, Joshi charms his way to Ishita’s heart and they both decide to give a relationship a chance.

How did you initially become connected to the show? Did you have to audition for the role?
VA: I initially got connected through a casting director whom I had auditioned for with some other role. He sent me to this particular role, which was dependent on the character requirements.

What was the audition process like?
VA: Since I auditioned for something else that was also an episodic show, the process was fairly unique. I was given a script to perform and it took 1 hour for the whole process to conclude. Then, after few days, I got a call for “Love By Chance.” I was a bit surprised because I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Who are some of the other actors you collaborated with on “Love By Chance?” What was it like working with them?
VA: Joshi who is played by Rahul Sharma, and Ishita who is played by Huzan Mevawalla. It was fun working with them we had a good time on set. We got to know one another while working together. It was a great experience and we had many fun moments while shooting.

Can you tell me about a favorite memory or experience from the time you spent working on “Love By Chance?”
VA: It was when I was shooting for my particular scene where I had to act over the top like grandma’s do in Indian daily soaps. It was fun for everyone watching me doing that and was good experience for me to be able to play around and act so dramatically.

How would you say that “Love By Chance” allowed you to showcase your talents as an actor?
VA: It is always a good way to explore your skills and showcase your talents whenever I played characters like this the one I played on “Love By Chance.” My character was dramatic and over the top, which is totally different from how I am in my personal life. It gave me a means of showcasing my skills by being totally different from who I am in real life.

What’s next for you in the world of entertainment? What are your future career goals and aspirations?
VA: I am looking forward to working in film and TV in Hollywood because it’s a platform where I can really showcase my skills and also explore the things I’ve always wished to do with my acting. This type of art is unimaginable and everyday I explore something new personally. It’s a process, which can never end; it just gets better by working more everyday. My goals are to just do good work and entertain people with my skills and when I make someone laugh, that gives inspiration that I am doing something unique in life. It makes me feel like I am living for myself.

For more information on Vishal Arora, please visit: vishal-arora.branded.me

Actor Interview, Actor Profile, Canadian Talent, Featured Actress, international Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

XIAO SUN IS RISING ON A VARIETY OF FILMS

September 7, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Americans are somewhat spoiled by the fact that Hollywood is the default epicenter of the global movie industry. The UK, China, India, and other places around the world have thriving movie studios producing fine films but Hollywood has the infrastructure which has been in place for more than a century. This gives the city an ample head start. Many actors set their sights on Hollywood as it gives a global platform to the talented members of the film community. Although Hollywood doesn’t create the artistic light, it can project it to all reaches of the planet. The most successful actors possess talent, charisma, and global appeal. This is exactly how one can describe actress Xiao Sun. This Chinese born and raised, moved to Canada, trilingual, dancer, model, and actress is complex and captivating on camera. Although Americans may not recognize Sun as quickly as Canadians, there is something very familiar about her. She worked on X-Men Days of Future Past (grossing 723MM worldwide, 2015 Oscar nominee and multiple award-winning), and TV shows like Being Human (multiple nominations and a win for ASCAP’s Top Television Series) but her roles in both English and French speaking films in her Canadian homeland have made her a household name in the North.

In her first ever audition for film or tv, Xiao was cast in the supporting role of Boon-Mae in the comedy film Fatal. Beyond the pressure of being in a feature film, Sun was required to act the part speaking her third language of French (Fatal is an entirely French spoken film). Also playing against Xiao’s nature is Boon Mae’s superficial and jealous character. Being cast so soon after moving from China to Montreal created a whirlwind for Sun, who soon found her comfort at ease on set. She recalls, “I had just moved to Montreal from China with my parents. My French was not very good yet so it was very challenging. My co-actors, Michaël Youn and Tony Tarba were very nice and helpful to me. They’re both big stars in France. They always gave 100% on set; rehearsing scenes with me, giving me tips on acting and my character development. It made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes they’d throw me a slang word and I had no idea what it meant or I thought it was something else, but my expression and sincerity would make them laugh. We did have tons of fun in spite of the long shoots every day.” Fatal was distributed by Universal Pictures International & Remstar Films and was a box office success which endears Xiao to fans with the cult following that has led to its ubiquity in France.

A stark contrast thematically, as well as her role she played, was the movie Anna. This critically acclaimed movie about human trafficking was an official selection at Busan International Film Festival in South Korea in 2015 (the location of the world premiere), an official selection at Singapore International film festival, and nominated for a Canadian Screen Award. The film’s Director was so taken with her performance as a tough mafia guard that the character’s name was changed to Xiao. The award-winning Charles-Olivier Michaud directed Sun in Anna and declares, “Anna is a film about a photojournalist who travels to Bangkok to pursue investigations for a news story on human trafficking being carried out by the Triads, and is kidnapped by Asian gangsters and subjected to the same abuse she has investigated. Xiao played the leading role of “Xiao,” a fierce member of a mafia group in Montreal that Anna has to go through in order to get to the person with the criminal evidence of the mafia leaders that abused her in Bangkok. Xiao performed this role with amazing character commitment and zeal, and truly brought the character to life in the fierce way that it needed. She applied such great energy and emotion into her dialogue and expressions that kept the film momentous and suspenseful. Xiao embodied the character amazingly with every scene on camera, adding intensity to this tragic story. She was truly leading to the production. Xiao was such an excellent actor in my film that I cast her in another leading role in my new upcoming television series Premonitions.” Xiao’s portrayal as her namesake was moving to the film’s director and audience alike but it was the subject matter which moved this actress as she reveals, “Human trafficking actually exists in every country, not just less developed countries or areas. It happens not just to women, but also men and children. The awful way that these victims have been treated is something that I could have never imagined and no one should have to experience.”

Summer of 2016 saw Xiao returning to French film in Les 3 P’tits Cochons 2, leading at the box office for local Canadian films. The film is the sequel to the successful film from nine years ago. In Les 3 P’tits Cochons, Sun plays opposite French film star Paul Doucet (Remi) as his love interest Mikou. Mikou is stunning, sexy, and wealthy. It was an opportunity to play a strong woman who is every bit a match for her male counterpart. Sun confirms that she enjoyed the chance to work with the much respected and award-winning Doucet. Although the experience was fun, that doesn’t mean it was necessarily easy. Xiao recalls one unexpected scenario,” You can’t plan for emergency situations. During filming of one of the airport scenes, there was an emergency landing. We had to finish an important scene in 30 minutes; one which was scheduled to last a few hours. Everyone on set rallied and my co-actor Paul Doucet and I were focused to get what the director wanted in the first take of each angle. We managed to finish the scene before the emergency landing of the plane. That is not something that you prepare for in an acting class.” The film’s award-winning director Jean-Francois Pouliot reinforces the idea that Sun’s presence in the film had great impact by noting, “It was only after the premier of Les 3 P’tits Chochons 2, that I realized what a lasting impression the opening scene left on the audience and that is mainly because of Xiao. She has an incredible screen presence that set the tone for the rest of the movie and helped to elevate it to another level.”

Xiao is tight lipped about her upcoming film role which has her acting opposite two Oscar winners but she is happy to discuss the film Tidal Waves in which she plays Riley. Tidal Waves is the story of a young dancer’s struggle with scoliosis. Her history as a dancer makes this a very personal film which she is quite proud of doing. With a wide variety of roles, Xiao Sun is exactly the type of positive yet driven actress that audiences will be seeing more and more of as she appears in more and more international films.

Actor, Featured Actress, Film, international Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

ANA ROZA CIMPERMAN IS THE DEFINITION OF A DREAM GIRL IN EIGHT AND A HALF CIRCLES

September 2, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Eight and a Half Circles is a movie which makes the viewer disoriented in an intriguing way. For filmgoers who prefer not to have the action spoon fed to them, this passion piece by filmmaker Gregor Kresal is premiering at the Teplice nad Metuji film festival in the Czech Republic and screenings at the Poprad film festival in Slovakia and at the Spotkania film festival in Poland. The female lead of Eight and a Half Circles is Slovenian born actress Ana Roza Cimperman. Cimperman’s performance as Cat is luminous and yet ethereal, which is exactly the reason Kresal states that she was the very first actress he thought of when he created the role. This film which defines the term psychodrama, allows viewers to enter the altered state of reality of a man who is grasping feverishly to understand what is reality and what his life has meant to those around him. Eight and a Half Circles delivers with a great surprise ending but keeps you guessing about what is fact and what is self-fulfilling/desired reality until the very end.

Actress Ana Roza Cimperman is proof of two things in film; the film community is global now more than ever, and Hollywood still attracts the elite from across the planet. Cimperman has amassed a number of film and TV credits in the past few years (Jefferson, Nympho’s Diary, Rayven Choi, The Man Van, etc.) and is the female lead in Eight and a Half Circles. The fact that this Slovenian born and educated actress exhibits not even a hint of an accent in her role as the American “Cat” in this film, gives profound credit to both her acting as well as her focus on the language of the film. Ana confirms that this was paramount to her approach as Cat stating, “The most difficult part was probably the fact that this was my first film in English. At first, it is really hard to be relaxed and natural in a language that is not your mother tongue, but with enough rehearsal you can get past it. There is also this pressure of sounding as American as possible to not seem out of place in a movie where everyone else is American. After a while you have to let go of that and just focus on the scene and the present moment.” Certain scenes were framed in ways which excluded Cat’s face, in order to portray Omm (the male lead role played by New York actor Joey Maida)’s sense of confusion and disorientation. This required Ana to focus on how to communicate with her body rather than facial expressions or dialogue, creating yet another challenge for her role. Her commitment to reaching for the new places that the role of Cat brought is exactly the reason Eight and a Half Circles creator/writer/director chose Ana. As a grantee of the David Lynch Foundation, Kresal not only experienced filmmaking in the US but also struck a harmonious chord with Lynch. Both artists enjoy the psychological approach to storytelling. Kresal used his experience as an Alpinist to convey the mind altering states that these adventurous mountaineers are subject to experiencing. This is the core of Eight and a Half Circles. Gregor describes the film as an Alpinist’s reflection of Dante’s Inferno. As Omm (the male lead) is preparing for a climbing expedition in Pakistan, he gets the feeling that something might go wrong; which he shares with his girlfriend Cat. He is agitated. Every night he wakes up restless and feels he is drifting further away from Cat. He then wakes up in a hospital room and is told that he has already gone on his expedition, fell ill and was transported to the hospital. In that moment he realizes that Cat is really the woman nursing him while he is recovering from surgery and that his whole relationship with her was just a fragment of his imagination. Kresal comments, “Eight and a Half Circles is extremely important to me as it is essentially my life story. When I completed the script, I immediately thought of Ana Roza who I had met a few years prior in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She plays the role of Cat, Omm’s girlfriend who turns out to be just a fragment of his imagination that his mind creates when he is recovering from surgery in the hospital. Her character had to be grounded but it still had to possess a dream-like quality which Ana managed to pull-off perfectly.” Ana recalls, “Gregor knew me from my work on the feature film Tomorrow in which I had the lead role. I see some similarities between the character of Mojca, who I played in Tomorrow, and Cat as they are both gentle, thoughtful and sensible women so perhaps that made the decision to cast me easier. I was only familiar with Gregor’s work on the documentary Sfinga (The Sphinx) so I was not sure what the tone and the story of the movie would be. I knew it was going to feature mountaineering so I was expecting more of a dynamic, action-based film. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the script which has many layers and depth. It features interesting multi-dimensional characters so it took me several readings to figure out what was really going on. This was a good sign for me as it meant there were many ways to approach this character.”

The viewing audience is often required to contemplate what is reality in Eight and a Half Circles as well as the true motivation and actions of the characters in the film. This makes the surprise ending even more gratifying…SPOILER ALERT. The surreal nature of Cat necessitated contemplation from Cimperman who states, “In the movie there is the real Cat who is a nurse and also the imaginary one, which Omm’s brain created based on the brief moment when they met for the first time. The imaginary one was definitely more mysterious and inquisitive while the real one was more supportive and caring. At first, I almost fell into the trap of playing her in a dreamy and angelic way… which would have been completely wrong because it is important that she is a real and grounded person. It is what keeps the viewer interested in their story and the loss at the end greater when you realize none of those intimate moments between her and Omm really happened.”

Eight and a Half Circles is a film which appeals to the audience in many different ways. The action and adrenaline of mountain climbing with its potential dangers, the inner workings of the human psyche as a way to deal with threats, and the intrigue of the unknown; all are present and accessible in this production. The anticipation at many film festivals, based on word of mouth alone, are proof of film’s ability to peak interest. Cimperman is just as excited about the public’s reception of this film, which she considers to be a major achievement. She is excited to take on more English speaking roles but admits to being drawn to the cerebral aspect rather than daredevil influenced roles. Cimperman reveals, “Joey Maida (Omm) is a very talented and hardworking actor based in New York. I admired the way he dived into the role although it dealt with a sport he was not that familiar with. He was not afraid of challenges and even traveled to Europe to shoot the second part of the movie in the Italian Alps. I have done adventurous sports in the past and I enjoy the rush but, as a working actress, being injured means you cannot work. Acting is my true passion which means that anything which keeps me from acting is not worth giving that up.”