Interview with Filmmaker Lisa Le Lievre (SIRENS TANGO)

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Lisa Le Lievre: After making my first experimental dance film in 2007 I realized I wanted to learn more about film making and I ended up working on many different narrative short films. When the opportunity to make my own film arose, I wanted to experiment with creating a dance film with a well constructed three act narrative, that might be appealing to a larger non-dance audience.

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

18 months.

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

Beautiful and evocative.

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

Getting past my own limitations, both real and imagined. I had never done anything this big before so there were a lot of doubts and budget restraints had me wearing many hats. I thought I would never get everything done leading up to the shoot, and in post it was challenging trusting my choices.

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

Wow what a fantastic audience! So much detail goes into making films with the intention of layering meaning and its very exciting to hear the audience unravel these clues and put the story together.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

I knew a dancer who wanted to do a Tango with her husband so I started researching and working on a concept for a dance film around the Tango. But before I got it together they both retired and moved away. I continued to develop the story however and found different dancers to work with. I think it would have been a very different film with the original cast!

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

I can’t think of a single film? I am currently re-watching Hero as inspiration for a project I would like to do.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

FilmFreeway is a fantastic platform for filmmakers. Being able to submit to worldwide film festivals from a single project page is so convenient. I think it has really opened up the audience potential for independent films, especially in unique genres like dance.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Anything I have ever edited to! And Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #5 – 2nd Movement.

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

I have a couple of dance films in mind so I will see what gets momentum!