Sofia Portanet - Lust feat., 3min., France/Germany, Musical
Directed by Béla Baptiste
Lust delves into themes of love, passion, self-doubt, depression, and healing. The song expresses the longing for closeness and the desire to heal someone through kisses and love. When we feel unwell, we often withdraw and isolate ourselves, making it difficult to let someone in—both emotionally and physically. Allowing oneself to be held, to be loved, and to surrender in another’s arms requires courage and a willingness to open up. Though not always easy, there is beauty in being truly seen for who we are, beyond self-doubt and difficult times.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Sofia and I are long time friends (we actually dated back when we were 15...) - I love her music and we kept wanting to work together but an ocean separates us (she's in Berlin, I'm in New York) - one day I said I'll be in Paris and she said: I'll come down I have a song you might like.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took about a month - a deadline was due, which helps in terms of procrastination

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was raining - which was great for a free wet down and cool lens effects but I also needed to protect the camera...

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I thought: damn that's so nice - I've never since that in a festival. We are used to read textes but seing actual faces makes it so much more touching!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I grew up in an artistic environment but I was used to be in front of the camera/stage - only after 2 car crashes and resulting panic attacks I had to take a deeper look at my path and realized I want MAKE them as in behind the camera. I was 21.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
If you mean in the sense of THE ONE MOVIE I have seen the most I would go with Dumbo.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I think communication is always everything. I appreciate when festivals help fellow filmmakers in giving them plattforms. We live in a world where the artists also need to be promoters, marketing specialist and sales agents - it helps a lot when someone helps in that part.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I remember my father and his friends needing to submit in the 90's - that was giant pain in the coffee cupholder! So platforms like filmfreeway really helped the democratisation of submitting -

10. What is your favorite meal?
That's simple: Schnitzl

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I'm in pre-production of a feature: a dark comedy adapted from a stage play.