1. What motivated you to make this film?
I knew the circus company “Machine de Cirque” for a long time since we’ve worked together for several years in the past. When I saw the original production of La Galerie, wich is a live circus show, I knew that we needed to adapt this brilliant story into a movie. I talked then with Vincent Dubé, ( artistic director of the company ) and Olivier Lépine ( director of the show ), and we decided together to get on with this project, that became my first short film. I was assured that this story had everything that I needed to transpose it in a movie.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I took me about eight months ! More or less.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Visceral connection
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I think I would say that my biggest challenge was to find a way to bring the circus in the “letter box” ratio. Circus performances are normally very aerial, and imagined for a higher stage. In our case, I needed to make it visually interesting in a wide screen scale, without being obliged to zoom out and feel a bit lost in the picture.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I must say that I was shocked, in a good way naturally. But really, it was the first time in my lifetime that I was getting positive feedbacks from people that I don’t have any relations with, that don’t even speak the same language as mine. Felt pretty great and moved me. I feel so grateful, and want to thanks all these beautiful souls that took their time to talk about our movie.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
It is now the tenth year that I’m into the video production of all sorts, but maybe five years that I’m evolving more precisely into the cultural ecosystem. As soon as I stepped in the contemporary dance environment, I knew that I needed to make films of it. The way that we can express, tell a story without saying even one word, only using our body to express something, is one thing that I can hardly see myself getting tired of.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I think I would say “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyasaki. I wish that one day, I would be able to have at least 1% of his genius.
8. What is your favorite meal?
I think it is the most difficult questions you guys asked me… I would say, a really good ceviche.
9. What is next for you? A new film?
We are currently in the last shooting stretch of my next short film ; La Timidité des Cimes / The Crown Shyness. An original story that I wrote in collaboration with choreographer Harold Rhéaume. This movie is an opportunity for me to imagine and shape a world from scratch, from decor to costume, in order to finally present a work of my own. An opportunity to show my vision to the artistic community.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 