NOT ALONE, 5min., UK
Directed by Maryam Imogen Ghouth
A poetry film about creative expression, featuring the artist Sacha Jafri.

https://www.instagram.com/maryamghouth

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I felt compelled to speak up for artists and justify our sensitivity to the world. This poetry film explores the transformative power of creative expression, which connects us to our shared human experience. As Ernest Becker reflects in The Denial of Death, quoting Otto Rank, 'The artist... takes in the world, but instead of being oppressed by it, he reworks it in his own personality and recreates it in the work of art.' This idea, that the artist transmutes overwhelming experiences into creative work, deeply resonated with me.

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

The process unfolded in stages, with long intervals between each. I wrote the poem in 2018, recorded it with neoclassical music by Arash Behzadi in 2019, but didn't film until 2024.

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

Immersive and meditative.

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

The combination of finding the right subject to film and assembling a team to execute my vision was the primary challenge, which didn't materialise until 2024. Once I found the subject, coordinating schedules with the right gaffer and editor was crucial to achieving the perfect lighting and editing necessary for capturing the film's mood—I wanted to create a dusty New York loft ambiance. Zuhair Lokhandwala, the lead director of photography, played a vital role in assembling this team, inviting his contacts to be part of the filmmaking.

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

I was delighted, especially since the audience noticed the intricate details that my team worked hard to bring to life. I had prepared a shot list, selecting movements that I knew Sacha the artist would naturally perform, having studied his art process beforehand—actions such as a particular twist on the canvas, the outline of a wave, or a throw of paint in the air that would seamlessly carry the poem's words. We devoted 14 hours to filming, meticulously capturing every gesture and stroke, with the intention of gradually revealing the painting as the narrative unfolded. Whether it was Presley Viegas's colour grading and editing, Marc Pascual's lighting, or Zuhair Lokhandwala and Chirag Satikuwar's cinematography, the team executed my vision perfectly. Seeing others appreciate their work and our carefully curated elements was rewarding.

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

My journey into filmmaking was entirely accidental. In summer 2018, I immersed myself in crafting poetic soliloquies and narratives. Then one day in early 2019, I recorded a poem on my iPhone to review its cadence, and by sheer coincidence, Chopin was playing in the background. When I listened to the playback, I realised that I wanted to narrate and record most of my poems with music. This realisation sparked a growing interest in adapting my tracks to film. By late 2023, after creating 25 poetry films, I started submitting my work to festivals, solidifying my recognition that poetry films had become an integral part of my artistic repertoire.

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

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The adult in me, however, intends to revisit Steven Zaillian's recent masterful adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley—its stunning visuals continue to draw me back.

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

You've been fantastic! The best help for artists like me, who focus solely on creation and not on exposure, would be more opportunities to get our work in front of audiences.

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

Excellent. FilmFreeway is simple to use, making submissions a breeze. I wish there were a similar platform for written poems—submitting those remains a much more arduous process, even with the help of platforms such as Duotrope.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love paratha bread, but that doesn't count as a meal, so I will say, as a part-Iranian, I love Persian food, such as Khoresh Gheymeh or Luba Polo but without meat.

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

This month, I am releasing a poetry chapbook accompanied by a complimentary album featuring my narration of the poems. The collection is titled I Ask My Being: Reflective Poems on Staying True. Another poetry film is always in the pipeline—I actually have four in store. I'm also in the final editing stages of two novellas. Lastly, I recently launched a service centered around a self-discovery e-book I developed, where I assist individuals in uncovering themselves and articulating their findings in words.