ARKANY-G, 18min., France
Directed by Daniel KICHENASSAMY
In Guadeloupe, a series of mysterious murders is shaking the small community. At every crime scene, a strange and macabre detail recurs: the presence of an object placed near the bodies, like the killer’s signature. Terrified, the residents find themselves trapped in an invisible terror, and the usually peaceful island descends into chaos.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
EN:
Arkany G was motivated by the desire to blend a crime investigation with a deeper reflection on fear, community, and the unseen forces that disrupt fragile balances. Setting the story in Guadeloupe allowed me to contrast the island's beauty with a dark, invisible threat.

FR :
Arkany G est né de l'envie de mêler une enquête criminelle à une réflexion plus profonde sur la peur, la communauté et les forces invisibles qui brisent les équilibres fragiles. Situer l'histoire en Guadeloupe permettait de confronter la beauté de l'île à une menace sombre et invisible.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
EN:
From the initial concept to the final cut, Arkany G took approximately one year, including writing, development, shooting, and post-production.

FR :
De la conception initiale au montage final, Arkany G a nécessité environ un an, incluant l'écriture, le développement, le tournage et la post-production.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
EN:
Tropical thriller.

FR :
Thriller tropical.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
EN:
The biggest challenge was creating a strong atmosphere of tension and mystery with limited resources, while making the island itself a character in the story.

FR :
Le plus grand défi a été de créer une atmosphère de tension et de mystère avec des moyens limités, tout en faisant de l'île un véritable personnage du récit.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
EN:
I felt both moved and encouraged. Hearing the audience talk about the mystery, the atmosphere, and the setting confirmed that the film's universe resonates beyond the screen.

FR :
Je me suis senti à la fois touché et encouragé. Entendre le public parler du mystère, de l'atmosphère et du décor a confirmé que l'univers du film résonne au-delà de l'écran.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
EN:
I realized it when I understood that cinema could tell stories that combine emotion, suspense, and social reflection in a powerful and immersive way.

FR :
Je l'ai compris lorsque j'ai réalisé que le cinéma permettait de raconter des histoires mêlant émotion, suspense et réflexion sociale de manière immersive et puissante.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
EN:
Se7en is one of the films I've watched the most. Its use of atmosphere, symbolism, and investigation strongly influenced Arkany G.

FR :
Seven est l'un des films que j'ai le plus vus. Son utilisation de l'atmosphère, du symbolisme et de l'enquête a fortement influencé Arkany G.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
EN:
More discussions focused on audience perception and crime or genre filmmaking would be very valuable, especially for projects rooted in strong atmospheres.

FR :
Davantage d'échanges autour de la perception du public et du cinéma de genre seraient très précieux, en particulier pour des projets reposant sur une forte atmosphère.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
EN:
FilmFreeway has been a smooth and efficient platform, making submissions clear and accessible for independent filmmakers.

FR :
FilmFreeway est une plateforme fluide et efficace, qui rend les soumissions claires et accessibles pour les réalisateurs indépendants.

10. What is your favorite meal?
EN:
A Creole meal (colombo de cabris) shared with others — food, like cinema, brings people together.

FR :
Un plat créole (colombo de cabris) partagé, car la cuisine, comme le cinéma, rassemble les gens.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
EN:
I am currently developing a new project that expands the world of Arkany G, continuing to explore crime, mystery, and human complexity.

FR :
Je développe actuellement un nouveau projet qui prolonge l'univers d'Arkany G, en explorant encore le crime, le mystère et la complexité humaine.