SAUDADE, 6min., USA
Directed by Josie Hull
A dancer faces a ghost of her past and has to come out victorious to find her true self once again.

https://www.instagram.com/josie__hull/

Get to know writer/performers Gica Pucca and Constantin Augustinus Sieve:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

GICA: One night I was going through my drawer and I found a love letter from a past relationship. After reading all those words, my heart was divided in two. A part that wanted all those memories again and the other, that knew this was not quite possible. Maybe this is what old love letters do to you. I brought it to Constantin and said “I need to make a movie about this so I can understand this feeling.”

CONSTANTIN: I was curious to see how the emotional and intention of a love letter would express itself visually and physically. I couldn't stop thinking about a duet between a girl and a ghost.

GICA: And then, we decided to explore how to navigate the rite of passage that follows the end of a love story, and give a name to the love that remains from it.

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

GICA: Saudade took around 5 months to be created

CONSTANTIN: Most time was spent in pre-production and rehearsals.

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

CONSTANTIN: Perilous

GICA: Longing

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

CONSTANTIN: A few weeks before our shooting date, we learned that our location was not available anymore. We tried to find a new one as fast as possible, but without any luck. A few days before shooting, Josie Hull came in clutch with the perfect location.

GICA: The chosen place was a dance school, which fits perfectly with our story of a girl who is learning how to dance alone.

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

GICA: I couldn't stop smiling. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a story that we told resonating with an audience. Knowing that Saudade was able to translate the feeling of heartbreak. And I am so happy that they talked about the music! All because of Hideiki, our composer, who made an incredible job creating our original soundtrack for this piece.

CONSTANTIN: Hearing how the different aspects of the movie left a mark was a pretty exciting experience. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

GICA: We thank everyone for the eloquent words. Feedbacks are what gives us knowledge to improve our craft and I am glad that we could enjoy them with WILDsound..

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

GICA: Films are one of many ways of communicating with the world. I’ve always been fascinated in being able to imagine something and bring it to real life. And films had shown to be a magic tool for this. Acting was always what teleported me to other worlds and after that, I just could stop. I think the urge to make films comes from a need to tell what others couldn’t see.

CONSTANTIN: I am a very impatient person. So i grew weary of waiting on audition calls or other opportunities very quickly. I saw my director and producer friends working non-stop, while I was just waiting for the next person to call me in. I didn't mind it, but I wanted more. I wanted to be busy doing what I love. Filmmaking was for sure a scary jump, but I have grown to really enjoy the process. Watching the idea grow from a thought to a movie is surprisingly mesmerizing.

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

CONSTANTIN: Not a film but a series: Avatar the last Airbender

GICA: Every year I do a marathon of Pirates of the Caribbean, so I would say the whole francize.

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

CONSTANTIN: I am impressed by the great options your festival is offering.

GICA: Visibility is key to a filmmaker's success. I believe that this festival offers all of that and more. Audience feedback, movie reviews, podcasts, online screenings and interviews, like this one we are doing right now, should be more widely provided among other festivals as well.

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

GICA: So far FilmFreeway has shown to be a reliable and diverse platform for any filmmaker to submit their titles. The support and communication was clear and they always keep us up to date with the new festivals coming up.

10. What is your favorite meal?

GICA: An açaí bowl would make me so happy right now. It’s my favorite thing ever.

CONSTANTIN: Pizza by far! If I could eat one meal for the rest of my life, I would be totally content with Pizza.

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

CONSTANTIN: Yes, I am currently working on 3 new films and one of my past films I have acted in is currently doing their festival run.

GICA: 2 projects that I acted as a lead are entering the festival circuit this next month and more shooting dates are coming. Emotions are definitely running high!