Film Name: SINCOPAT
Director: Pol Diggler
Writers: Pol Diggler, Ramon Lazaro
Starring: Núria Florensa, Edgar Moreno, Roser Bundó, Jordi Rocaspana, Raül Tortosa
Ona, a creative executive of a large company, is about to launch the latest technological revolution into the market: a device that allows listening to music directly inside the brain.
In a new Exclusive Interview on Blazing Minds ahead of Horror-on-Sea I got a chance to ask Co-Writer/Director Pol Diggler a few questions about the film ‘SINCOPAT‘
SINCOPAT will play at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 17th January at 5.30pm.
Q. Your film has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we
can expect?
A. SINCOPAT is a short film designed as a sonic experience for the audience, a bad musical trip where viewers will step into the shoes (and the brain) of the protagonist. I hope they enjoy it and suffer through it in equal measure!
Q. You co-wrote the script with Ramon Lazaro. What were some of your influences when writing
the script and what was your process for writing together?
A. Ramon and I have been working together for over 10 years, so we understand each other very well and, most importantly, complement each other. The script for SINCOPAT draws from classic and modern technological dystopias while steering away from typical horror tropes. From the outset, we aimed to create a different kind of monster than the ones we usually see. We arrived at the idea of making music the central source of terror in the story.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Personally, I love Gaspar Noé’s cinema and Edgar Wright’s editing rhythm. However, for me, the concept and performances were more important than the style. I needed this dystopia to feel not entirely futuristic, but like something audiences could perceive as happening very soon, in just a few years.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Absolutely, it always happens—and for the better! In particular, some initial dialogues were reduced or cut to give more room for Núria Florensa (the lead actress) to interpret her role, as her character would lose the ability to communicate at a certain point.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. I love the shooting phase in general. I’ve been working with nearly the same team for years, and the atmosphere is always incredible. This phase brings a lot of unforeseen contributions; improvising, playing with the characters, and exploring dynamic creativity. If I had to choose one moment, it would be the “sound torture” scene in the lab. It was intense but incredibly rewarding.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Of course, as always! For instance, the opening and closing of the short are not what we originally planned. We had intended to enter and exit the bar in a single tracking shot, but the camera stabilizer broke, and we had to improvise. As Kimio Ogawa (the cinematographer for SINCOPAT) says, “There are battles you have to know how to lose.” So, adapt or die!
Q. What makes stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. Exploring new ways of conveying fear to the audience, avoiding cheap jump scares, and pushing the boundaries. In short, taking creative risks. The audience, festivals, and juries appreciate that greatly.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope they leave the screening feeling satisfied but anxious, thinking they’ve watched a different kind of horror short—and hating jazz.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I’m working with my team along with Films de l’Orient on our first feature film: SOMOS LO PEOR
(WE ARE THE WORST). It will combine everything we’ve done in our short films: dark comedy, meta-cinema, and fantasy.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Take risks, think out of the box, but most importantly, make what you enjoy without following current trends.
You can find out more on the following Instagram pages @pol_diggler @ramonlazaroguionista @filmsorient @nuria.florensa
SINCOPAT will play at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 17th January at 5.30pm.
You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
