Interview with director Otavio Pacheco (HORSE PARADE)

Otavio Pacheco’s film from Puerto Rico “HORSE PARADE” played to rave reviews at the November 2016 Under 5 Minute FEEDBACK Film Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Otavio Pacheco: This movie was made for a theater opening, that talks about controversial relationships. The chess inspired the characters as being war enemies and breaking the rules to be together.

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

OP: It was a quick production because it’s short. One week after getting the idea I was able to shot this, with the right chess table and the lights. It took about 5 hours of shooting, very tough because it needs a lot of concentration to make the right movements. After this I needed to put on the music and sound design, it took another week of work with my partner in music, João Parisi – Transient Studios.

MT: How would you describe your short film in two words!?

OP: War of love

MT: What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

OP: It was difficult to have a good music on it. We didn’t know what to compose, but in the end João created a great music for it.

MT: What were your initial reactions when watching the Toronto audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

OP: It was a very nice sensation, this is the first feedback I received on this video. I really appreciate watching an interesting audience talking about details and their vision of this film.

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK VIDEO:

MT: How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

OP: I was thinking in a way to describe a relationship with a powerful woman and an enemy that fell in love with each other. And then the jealous partner started fighting and it was the end of everything. I wanted to make something without dialogs, just symbols and metaphors, so I have the idea of using a chess table representing this characters.

MT: What film have you seen the most in your life?

OP: Well, I really don’t know. There’s some films that I’ve seen lots of times, Fight Club, for example, and The Wall. But I’m not sure.

MT: What is next for you? A new film?

OP: Now I’m working on a TV documentary series about traditional culture in the region I live, in Brazil. It’s about music, food, traditional dance, folklore and history. I guess it will took one or two years of work.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.