WAR OF FILMS INTERVIEW with Zabaldu Narae.

 

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 Zabaldu Narae?

I am a film and photography enthusiast.

When I was younger, I used to be a fashion designer and a costume designer.

I have traveled the world with my creations.

Dynamic, creative, I can’t stay still. 

Head full of ideas, I am energetic and quite active in many areas.

 

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

I started when I was 7-8 years old. I used to make storyboards, to imagine the way to to shoot the scenes.  
I began fashion design in order to be closer to what I really liked : film making. 

Watching the director put into action the pictures he has in mind taught me a lot during these years. Then I told myself it was but time to start a new adventure!

 

 

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

It took more than 6 months between the idea, the writing, the shooting, the completion of the editing.

 

Can you tell us a bit about the process you've had with Elle, la vie, l’avenir? Is it self-financed or were you able to get financing?

The financial process was carried out in two stages, a personal loan and a crowdfunding campaign which worked out.

 

No spoilers, but what will the public find in Elle, la vie, l’avenir?

People will watch a moving story, a new kind of sequence, of processing. And also, the public will decide about the end of the movie, this why the title has ellipsis. 

 

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

No, I gathered my inspiration through my personal life and through the lives of about fifty other women with whom I exchanged.

 

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?

I usually find music and dance express the emotions the best, which matters to me during the writing process of the movie.

 

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 Clint Eastwood -he was self-taught and he always has a correct perspective - and for the French, Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (The Intouchables) who really moved me. 

 

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?

I was impressed by a lot of movies but I really enjoy the stories based on true events such as : 

• Hidden figure

• Erin Brockovic 

• The Intouchables 

But I can also be touched by stories like

• Astérix & Obelix : Mission Cleopatra

• seven pounds 

 

Your favorite black and white movie?

I have plenty, but I would say The Artist and Psycho.

 

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

I watched a few and I would say : dark

 

Your favorite 2010-2020 movie or series?

my favorite movies are :

hidden figure

black swan 

my favorite TV shows are : 

pretty little liars 

the revenge

911

 

Your favorite actor or actress?

Julia Roberts, Jeanne Moreau, Omar Sy, Michel Galabru, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks.

 

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?

I think we don’t leave enough room for the young directors and screenwriters. There are so many wonderful ideas out there that I hope will find their way so we can see the skills of the young generation.

 

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

My weaknesses are : the lack of knowledge in the business of cinema. Also I may be sometimes too naïve. Also, I also tend to scatter a lot when I have new ideas.

My strengths are : commitment, organization, creativity

 

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

Not so much, I only went to festivals of photography.

 

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

Yes, I even have 2 projects. One is about the history of the number 13 and superstitions in general. The second one is a comedy.

 

Would you like to add something else?

I would like to thank you to allow young directors to share their work.