YOU ARE SO CLOSE, 5min., UK
Directed by Craig McNulty
Short experimental film follows a woman seemingly trapped in a derelict art gallery repeatedly viewing images and gradually becoming more frustrated. Unable to leave, and refusing the offer of help.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I have been (informally) photographing dance projects around Prague for years. It was my first opportunity to experiment with dance in film. I knew I wanted to make something slightly disturbing and had recently visited the old sanatorium building (Now Studio Alta) in Praha, where I had been planning, before COVID, an exhibition of a series of still photographs from a series called 'Edgelands'. It struck me the combination of dance and the slightly disturbing still images, that appear in the film, wjicj are from the series might make an interesting, if slightly surreal, combination.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Originally I shot the footage with actors and filmmakers from Prague Film School, in 2021 but didnt get around to re-editing this final sound designed version till very recently.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Quietly unsettling :)

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
My own doubt that anyone would really want to watch it, that it was stupid, and that it didnt make sense, it was way too experimental.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Very pleased to hear that it connected with some people, though I am sure some people didnt, at least the feedback helped to calm those self-doubts - up to a point....

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
When I was studying at college i England (quite a while ago) I got involved in an experiemtnal film group shooting on film with 16mm Bolex camera, and got hooked, but didnt really do anything till quite a few years later, as digital film making and editing made the whole process so much more accessible and less costly.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
In narrative film, thats a tough question but I think 'The Passenger' - (1975) and 'Blow Up' (1966) have equal first.

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 have been really helpful and I cant think of anything else right now.

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

10. What is your favorite meal?
A wine and herb marinated steak grilled over charcoal with good friends, and the remainder of the wine.

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

I am just finishing editing 'Asa andd His Cat in the Library of Dreams' a short (14minutes) narrative film, with a less experimental but still slightly surreal, storyline. It just got accepted for a film festival (PAFFF24) here in Prague in the Czech Republic, so looking forward (or not) to the screening :)