Interview with Filmmaker Fernando Lorenzana Gámez (THE DISTANCE)

THE DISTANCE was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the March 2020 LGBT Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Fernando Lorenzana Gámez: I wanted to write something about a strong friendship between women. At the beginning was the idea of a group of girl friends that have a meeting after years without seeing each other. But then I decided to change it to two young girls that are going out for a walk and her relationship change during this process.

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

We did the filming during three days. But the process since the idea came out until the final product it was around seven months.

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

Emotional and intimate.

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

The biggest obstacle was to film the long shots with the girls talking without cuting anything.

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

I was scared at the beginning but after listening all I thought that all the comments about the film were accurate.

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

It was during a writing Workshops, and after talking with a friendo about a very similar experience.

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

When I was a child I watched a lot The lion king LOL. After that any film of Kate Winslet.

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

I think it’s a very good platform for filmmakers to find lots and lots of film festivals and to be aware about the process of film distribution.

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

I think one of them is: “The Heart Asks Pleasure First” by Michael Nyman (The Piano Soundtrack)

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

I am planning to write a film about the travel of a family to a small town in the south of Spain, and how this journey change their relationships.