MONODIALOGUE, 5min, USA, Drama
Directed by Azure Kwok
A surreal encounter with Adam reveals everything about Addison's past, present, and future.

https://www.theythemfilms.com/
https://instagram.com/theythemproductions

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Monodialogue was initially just a shower thought. I wrote it into a stage play at first and I wasn't exactly happy with how it turned out. I was living in Seattle at the time and was surrounded by a group of talented and ambitious friends who are all eager to work and learn in the filmmaking field. So I adapted it into a screenplay and brought them all onto this project. They loved the idea and were incredibly supportive of me. Honestly, my friends were my biggest motivation behind making this film. We wanted to make something together that we're proud of, and Monodialogue happened to be the thing.

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

I wrote the first draft in April 2022, and we finished shooting in May. Post-production wrapped up in August. So the whole production process took around 4 months. It was a rather quick one thanks to the help of everyone involved.

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

Snappy, but layered.

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

Sound. Sound was the biggest obstacle both on-set and off-set. It was a pain to record audio on set because we were around an airport, and airplane noises just kept interrupting the flow of our shoot. After I got home and checked all the audio, there were still a lot of inconsistent ambience and peeking. So I'd say 70% of the time on-set and off-set, we were trying to fix the audio.

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

It was truly heartwarming. I was beyond grateful. It is incredible to be able to connect with strangers, or have them connect with each other over something I've made. That is ultimately what all storytellers aim to do.

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

Filmmaking actually wasn't my first choice of profession, I chose to study filmmaking because I wasn't able to pursue Philosophy after high school. But after a year into it, I fell in love with filmmaking – studying the human condition. And it's been my number one passion ever since.

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

Fallen Angels (1995) (dir. Wong Kar Wai).

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 honestly think your festival has done everything within your power to help us out, and I'm just beyond grateful for everything.

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

It has been wonderful. I haven't encountered any huge problem with FilmFreeway, it has been a big help in getting my work out there.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Anything my grandma cooks for me.

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

Definitely a new film. It is going to take longer for me to produce a new piece of work after Monodialogue, because I want my future work to uphold better, if not the same quality as this one. Monodialogue is truly a film that I'm genuinely proud of. And the writer's block following it surely isn't easy to overcome.