THE DENDROVERSE, 4min., Mumbai, Experimental
Directed by Deep Malhotra
Fear of heights, cockroaches or dark. Fear can differ; some fears are minor, while others can be big. And when you overcome them, you feel more substantial than you were as you understand they were only panic inside your head and nothing else. And you just needed a bit of courage to win over them. But what if some phobias are so real that they might kill you and the species if you don’t crush them? Maybe such fears are those you don’t mess with to save your life. This poetry can sometimes become a nightmare in reality. Is the option in our hands to choose?

https://linktr.ee/deepruptive
https://facebook.com/deepmalhotra
https://instagram.com/deepruptive

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This film was made for the India Film Project (IFF), an International 50-Hr film competition with the concept of "Fear". I thought of twisting the idea with a message that is hard-hitting and relevant in current times and the need of the hour.

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

Less than 50 hours, and it was short on my iPhone 11 Pro.

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

Save yourself.

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

Shooting the film single-handedly with a few self-shots was challenging, but I am glad that it came out well & was appreciated by the reviewers. And they got the feel I was looking for from the audience.

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

Overwhelming experience listening to the detailed reviews by the audience. They were spot on with their comments and were glad they got the narrative and the concept of the film perfectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and it encouraged me to submit my future movies to this film festival.

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

I have been fascinated by filmmaking since childhood. I remember writing my first script when I was ten years old and making movies in my head and playing with action figures making them actors enacting the script.

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

One of my favourite movies is Memento by Christopher Nolan. I can watch that movie multiple times, and it was a turning point in my life to watch that movie made me realise I should get into making my movies.

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

The Wild Sound Festival is the unique festival on the block, where they combine elements of feedback from the viewers, which is a great way to engage with the audience and get feedback. I will encourage all filmmakers, big and small, to be part of this festival to get detailed feedback on their movies.

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

Filmfreeway is the best aggregator of film festivals worldwide, giving exposure to big and small filmmakers access to all international festivals.

10. What is your favourite meal?
Chicken Tikka.

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

Planning a feature-length film for OTT platforms will share more details soon and submit it to the festival.