ANTHOLOGY OF NINE SOULS ON THEIR WAY TO DEATH, 12min,. Italy
Directed by Penelope Zouganeli, Giuseppe Circelli
Andy the night watch was the cemetery gate keeper in Spoon river. He was overseeing the burial of all Spoon river residents. He was the silent observer of life in the small town, knowing everyone and their lives. He could see the good and bad, usually as they were intermixed after death. Having been given a final say following their passing, the bodies have a different story of their lies, cheating, corruption and neglect and Andy is shedding light to the underlying truth of the events.

Get to know the filmmakers;

1. What motivated you to make this film?

We met in Italy during a summer filmmaker travelling campus. After working for 5 weeks on different personal projects, we were very fed up with the traditional format of the shorts we were working on. We decided to work together because of this frustration. After this decision, in the next city we were visiting, Giuseppe realised that Tempio Pausania was one of the cities where De Andre Lived - the artist that made a whole album using the Master’s poems. He bought the book and we started reading it. So from then on, the creative process began together.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?

We read the poems, decided on which poems to include, created the whole concept, lock crew and artists, principle photography and editing in one week. We had to be economical and use symbolisms as a tool to give reasons why we made the creative decisions we did. Afterwards when we realized that the finished product was something we were visually very proud of, we decided to put the extra work in. We worked another year on perfecting the post production, creating all supporting material for festivals, and commissioned posters from different artists we both admired.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

EVERYONE DIES.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Since we were both in love with the work a long time after its completion, the only problem we had to face was really the distance. Giuseppe is based in Italy and Penelope in London. So all post production happened through zoom meetings whenever they were both free. Some meetings were taking 8 hours. Of course, due to lack of funds, we were not able to pay professionals to help us so we either did what needed to be done alone or we asked friends to help. Lastly, Penelope and Giuseppe are both freelancers, a fact that made scheduling and planning harder. The love towards the final product made the whole journey worth it and we would do it again in a heartbeat.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?

Our film has been in the festival circuit for a year now. We have been getting a lot of love but at the same time a lot of rejection. With the video feedback we received, It was again that we realized that our work can speak to different people in different ways. Our initial reaction was a humble one - we always feel great gratitude to whoever spends ten minutes of their lives to watch a film. No matter the nature of the feedback. We are just grateful to be here and thank you for this deeply.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Giuseppe: I think you realize you want to do something once you get to know it well. The exact moment in which I no longer felt the weight of making films was during the travelling festival in 2021. There I made 2 to 4 shorts a week, in almost uncomfortable conditions.

There was tiredness but it was balanced by the stories I discovered and wanted to tell.

That's the power, that's when I realized I want to do it for life.
Penelope: I don’t think I ever realized that momentarily. After I started working as a runner in short films I realized that there is no other environment like a set. Gradually, especially after watching Holy mountain for the first time, it dawned on me. I can create a world and a human from scratch and watch all the elements dance together for 2 hours? Since then, I can never imagine something more magical than that. After working with Giuseppe I realized that it is also possible. And since the 2021 summer, I have been thinking purely of movies.

Everything I do, places I go, people I meet. All can be my next movie.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Penelope: Holy mountain by Alejandro Jodorowski.
Giuseppe: The Royal Tenenbaums by Wes Anderson.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?

Direct contact with people that are interested in working together in the future. Have a melting pool of talent and introduce the directors and filmmakers to each other. Maybe create discussions around films. As for your feedback, it would be great to have a community that can comment and offer its opinion online in a concise and constructive manner.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway is the standard way for independent filmmakers to apply to all film festivals in the world. Apart from the patience we need to look at all festivals and figure out which ones fit us the most, you also need to develop your own strategy. After we did that, we found the process very straightforward.

10. What is your favourite meal?

Crafty pizza for second lunch and Welch Fruit Snacks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_l0wEPLb9/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Always.
https://vimeo.com/850502222/26e0c48aeb?share=copy