FIRST & LAST, 4min., Canada
Directed by Alexander Nonaka Galant
At a showing of a rental apartment, a young woman stumbles upon a gruesome mystery while taking pictures with her phone.

https://www.alexandergalant.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alexander.galant/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Many years ago I made a thriller called The Jigsaw Puzzle which did well in the festivals and, I learned recently, it's shown in some film schools as an example of a narrative without dialogue (which is why it has so many views on YouTube). I'm proud of that, but I've grown a lot since then. It runs a bit long, and was shot in a modest apartment that had white walls which I worked against, trying to make it creepy. So upon re-watching it about a year ago, I decided to create a new film that would be under 5 minutes and used the white-walled, friendly atmosphere as a misdirect.

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

From scripting it in mid-December 2023 to filming and editing it in February 2024: Two months and a bit.

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

Timeloop murder

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

This was a very small apartment with not a lot of room, so I couldn't have as many crew members as we needed. One side was a complete wall of windows, so we were chasing the light. Convincing the homeowner that the blood would not stain was also a challenge. It's a washable/edible recipe that I have from when I used to be a make-up FX artist.

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

Yes! They got it! I plague myself with self-doubt through the entire process, questioning everything. Does this make sense? Am I too cryptic? Will cutting out a couple of beats in post-production ruin it all? Hearing the feedback confirming they caught the nuances solidifies the saying to "show don't tell and trust the audience to figure it out."

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

I've always been a storyteller, and wanted to be part of the magic of TV or film since I was a kid. I've directed many stage productions (musicals and straight), but when a show closes, all that's left is memories. Film lasts longer and there's no limit to telling a story with filmmaking. Over the years I've worked in various areas of the film industry and lately as a script supervisor I've had the opportunity to sit next to some amazing directors and have learned a lot from their perspective. It's taken a long time, but my next step is to transition to a larger-budget director's chair.

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

Hmmm. Tough question. I'd say a 3-way tie: The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars (1977) and Rear Window.

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 can only speak for myself but I'm very much an introvert and find it difficult to approach people I don't know. I think any opportunity to help with networking is great. Since so much of the hiring is based on who the production team knows, it is so important to create contacts in our industry.

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

Well when I first started submitting to festivals (like the above mentioned The Jigsaw Puzzle), it was a costly challenge to submit, between getting videotape screener copies made, transfering to PAL if sending to Europe, getting money orders in other currencies, customs forms... (I quickly learned to write "contains no pornographic material" on all the custom forms so that it wouldn't get held up before a festival deadline!) Now with FilmFreeway, the screener and stills are already uploaded and payments done on-line, it's all done with a few clicks. In my opinion, it's an easy and efficient platform.

10. What is your favorite meal?

This is as tough as question #7. I'd say the all-time favourite is a properly cooked (med-rare) steak dinner.

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

I have just shot another 5-minute short entitled "SOB", which features a young man talking to his therapist about whether or not he should go to his estranged mother's funeral. The aim was to tell a story that was interesting with a twist, but that had no blood. It will be edited in the new year.