WAR OF FILMS INTERVIEW with V Jara

 

First of all we would like to know a little more about you. So that the audience has as much information as possible. Who is V Jara?

My name is V Jara, I am an artist, I dedicate myself to photography, drawing and video. I really like to carry out my artistic works in a careful and detailed way. I do them autonomously, since when I have the time and resources in hand, I focus too much.

 

How many years have you been making movies and how did you end up making movies?

I started about five years ago doing small projects with my camera. I made too many short videos of animation and experimental editing. Of course, I also studied cinema.

 

Let's talk about your project. How long did it take from the initial idea to have it ready to be released?

The project began in October 2020 and ended in April 2022. It was a whole process of image tests, time coordination, and fixing details.

 

Can you tell us a bit about the process you've had with Mistica? Is it self-financed or were you able to get financing?

It's self-financed. I worked and with the money I earned I bought the necessary equipment. A good notebook, microphone, sound mixer, among other things.

 

No spoilers, but what will the public find in Mistica?

It is like a dreamy or esoteric travel through the drawing.

 

Have you been inspired by any other film of the same genre?

The movies that inspired me were not of the same genre, they are different from each other. However, I must say that some of the films that inspired me in terms of plot and style are in reference form within the short film. Which are: Don't Look Now (1973), Hedwig and The Angry Inch (2001) and Premonition (2007).

 

 

There are many creators who seek inspiration from other artists, literature, music, painting, etc. To create this work have you used references from other arts? If so, what are they?

The inspiration comes from the movies I mentioned, but it also comes from TV shows, video clips, songs, among others. Something that is reflected in some scenes as a reference. On that same point, here are some examples:

-In a street advertisement, you can see advertising dedicated to Fur TV.

-The scene of the apartment and the forest covered by the mist, is a reference to the video clip of Mazzy Star “Flowers in December”.

-The inspiration to create the Destiny Space was The World Between Worlds (Star Wars: Rebels).

-Some "windows" are a graphic representation of songs by The Verve, precisely from the albums Verve EP and A Storm in Heaven.

 

We would also like to know more about your film preferences. We would love to know which directors you like and which are your favorite movies.

My favorite directors are: 

-John Carpenter

-George Romero

-Christophe Gans

-Darren Lynn Bousman

-George Lucas

-David Lynch

 

There are great classics of cinema considered masterpieces, but for us cinema is subjective and we also love films that critics may consider bad. Do you have movies that are not considered masterpieces but that you could watch over and over again without stopping? Which are?

-Norbit

-Texas Chainsaw 3D

 

Your favorite black and white movie?

My favorite movie is Night of the living dead, by George Romero.

 

Have you seen anything by David Fincher? How would you define it in one word?

Yes, I saw The Game (1997), Panic Room (2002) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). Fantastic!

 

Your favorite 2010-2020 movie or series?

Some of my favorite movies are: 

-The Other Guys (2010) 

-Colombiana (2011) 

-Parker (2013)

-Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2013) 

 

Some of my favorite TV shows: 

-Blindspot (2015)

-Vis a Vis (2015)

-Rebels (2014)

-Derry Girls (2018)

-Ugly Americans (2011)

 

Your favorite actor or actress?

Actor: Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Actress: Sandra Bullock

 

Changing the subject, one of the concerns of many creators is the lack of financing or opportunities that producers provide. What do you think about this?

It all depends on the type of movie, because a dramatic movie is not the same as a science fiction movie, especially the latter since it requires a lot of CGI (most of the time) or more realistic practical effects. Also, it depends on the intention of the director if he wants his film to be a higher quality (film) or something small (television).

 

It is true that lack of money is a problem, so sometimes directors need more budget to be able to carry out their ideas. For the same reason, they need help from production companies that lend them money, if their project is something that generates profit or is a work that is striking to the point that everyone recognizes it. In that case, the producers also must be more open to proposals and have to monitor how the product is going. For example, if a CGI character looks poor or low quality, he would need more money to make it look good.

The most important thing to consider is that the producers must give the director freedom to express his work. Because there have been many occasions in which the producers restrict or request changes in the work and the result ends up disappointing the public, even more so if it is an adaptation (novel, comic, or video game) of which they do not know as well as the director.

 

When it comes to opportunities, that's always an important thing to consider early on, because you must think about the factors involved in both the development of the film and its distribution.

 

A very personal question, but… What are your strong points and weak points?

 

Strong Point: I can take the time to create something when I can, as well as focus too much on what I'm doing. I can manage money well in resources. I can polish and refine details of my works.

 

Weak Point: I have no experience in large events or production companies. I am a beginner when it comes to doing something of great magnitude.

 

Do you have experience on the festival circuit? As a filmmaker, how do you see film festivals? Where do you think they should improve?

No, I have no festival experience.

I think it's good that there are film festivals because that way you can see short films on different themes.

 

Do you have any other project in mind? Can you advance us something?

Yes, I'm working on a short suspense film. I prefer not to talk about it too much because it is in the production process.

 

Would you like to add something else?

 Yes, the truth is that I have a dream of adapting some video games faithfully to the source material.