Written & Directed by Luca Spreafico
Exploring the more narrative soul of fashion film while staying true to the genre’s strong focus on aesthetics, Alex tells us of a woman reliving and working through a trauma. Inspired by EMDR therapy, the film looks at abandonment during childhood as something that is likely to accompany us into adulthood. Through an experimental, movement-led approach, Alex takes us on a journey into the human psyche.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE FILMMAKER
Tell us a bit about yourself and your filmmaking background.
I have always been fascinated by visual arts - since I was a kid. I still remember my first trip to Paris and how much of an impression the Musee D’Orsay left on me with all the great impressionist painters. Then my attention gradually shifted towards photography and video. It started as a passion then slowly it has become the job that I love. I began by making videos and taking photos, which helped understand the creative process and the work involved and led me towards a more directing role.
What was your inspiration behind Alex?
I have always been interested in exploring the subconscious. For example, anything to do with EMDR techniques fascinates me. As this is my first narrative project and there was no client involved, it made sense to experiment, do something for myself and not think too much about whether it would fit within a certain genre. Hence why I brought dance into it: I’ve always seen dancing as a way to free oneself from doubts and fears. With Alex I wanted it to be the tool the lead character employs to work through her trauma.
Any hacks or tips for making a short film?
Keep things simple and clear, but do focus on the details both on a narrative level as well as visually. And most importantly, surround yourself with a great team. This is what makes the difference.
Tell us about the journey of getting your film to audiences.
This is something that is always tricky as a filmmaker. I worked with festival strategist and publicist Niccolò Montanari to come up with a distribution strategy for Alex. As we weren’t in a rush, we decided to focus first on the film festival circuit, specifically on the fashion film festival world but also on those short film festivals that cater for content with a strong focus on aesthetics. We were selected by more than 25 international festivals, with 10 nominations and 5 wins, which has also helped us secure online coverage as the film has just been released.
Does your film have any landmarks that you can discuss (awards, special screenings, etc.)?
I feel that winning at A Shaded View on Fashion Film with Best Actress is definitely something I’m proud of. That’s the first ever fashion film festival and its founder Diane Pernet is a very respected personality within the industry.
Any film recommendations that we should add to our watchlist?
Among my favourites, I would definitely recommend The Tree of life, Moonlight, Cold War, 8 1/2.