Director: Isadora Baccon
Writer: Isadora Baccon & Henry Skillern
Actors: Nolwenn Cole, Oliver Margolis
Synopsis: Disassociate is a movement-based abstract film about the daily fixations we have with technology. When a woman breaks her phone she snaps out of the trance she was in, allowing herself to notice the world around her for the first time. Initially, she struggles to free herself from her desires to go back to technology, this is when she meets another person, who like her, was disassociated from the outside world. Together they go on a journey trying to free themselves from the embedded attachment to technology, which for a long time has hidden the real person that exists inside them.
With The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival will be returning once again from 26th – 29th May, I got an opportunity to ask Co-Writer/Director Isadora Baccon a few questions about the film ‘Disassociate’ which has been selected to play at the festival on Saturday 28th May at 11 am.
Q. What can we expect from the film?
A. Good music and world movement. I was lucky enough to have a young musician in my team that worked side-by-side with me creating music for the film as we went along. But also, everyone involved in the film is or has studied BA World Performance at University of Essex, which means that we all have had an acting and singing training from diverse parts of the world and I believe my film reflects that. There isn’t one defined style of movement or music in it, because it draws inspiration from many forms and many countries. My film isn’t like other western movies, so as long as you go in with an open mind, you will enjoy ‘Disassociate’.
Q. How did the idea for the film come about?
A. I believe that not all movies need dialogue and not that all dances can be defined. I wanted to make a film that reflected society, but in a way that can be interpreted by the audience. I believe that the audience of today is very smart and doesn’t need to be fed everything in order to understand. A bit like Brecht’s epic theatre, I give my audience hints or suggestions, but let them work things out for themselves too. The idea for this film came from my passion to create a political abstract film that can be a riddle for those who enjoy being provoked when watching art.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Like I have said before, I draw inspiration from many world art forms. I have been influenced by Bertolt Brecht and Augusto Boal, two drama practitioners that created a lot of political theatre. But also, German expressionism films that create illusions and pictures that look like something from an angle, but another thing from a different angle. But I have also been inspired by movers such as Pina Bauch and Complicite.
Q. Where there any elements of the original script which were adapted during filming?
A. For starters I didn’t have a script for this film, which might seem crazy to some filmmakers. I took a more avangard style and improvised as we went along. I had images in my head of what I wanted for the film to look like, and though we rehearsed scenes beforehand, I am much more interested in what the actors can do in the moment. So, we created a lot of the sequences in a rehearsal space, but I would still give them the freedom to add or change in real time if they felt the impulse to. So yes, there were elements from the original idea that changed as we went along.
Q. What were your favourite moments whilst making the Film?
A. Finding incredible locations around Southend that I didn’t know existed or had potential.
Q. Did you experience any issues whilst making the film?
A. As with any low budget student film, I didn’t have as much equipment as I would have liked to, for example I only had one battery for the camera. One day we had to cut the shooting short because the camera needed to charge. I am a lot more prepared now, so I am confident that I won’t run into this issue in the future.
Q. What do you hope people will take away from the film
A. Whatever they interpreted from it.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are working on?
A. I am currently rehearsing for a showcase with my drama school which will be performed in London in June, and I am working on a solo performance that I am taking to a festival in July. I have also opened my own film company and I have a few music videos lined up, but I am also hopeful that I will meet new passionate filmmakers over Southend Film Festival that will want to collaborate on something in the future.
Q. If someone is looking to direct their first film, what advice would you give them?
A. Follow your heart! But also, don’t procrastinate too much, if your film is bad, at least it serves as a lesson and your next one will be a lot better!
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival runs from 26th – 29th
You can find out more about the end and purchase tickets on the website here: https://www.southendfilmfestival.com/
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!
