FAREWELL was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the June 2022 Experimental/Dance Festival.
Q. What motivated you to make this film?
A. The factory we filmed in is actually where I grew up. My family and I have witnessed the prosperity and dilapidation of this factory, just as this factory has witnessed the growing youth and ageing of me and my family. Whenever I’m there, I will always feel this contrast and the entity of irreparable time. This is the motivation for this dance film.
Q. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
A. From early concept brainstorming in July 2021 to the finished product in April 2022, about 9 months.
Q. How would you describe your film in two words!?
A. Sadness and Memories
Q. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
A. I think the biggest obstacle was how to smoothly merge the environment with the choreography. This lead us to starting up the old machines, which we then began our experimenting on machinery and dancing.
Q. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
A. First of all, I was very taken aback by the audience, as they had so many interesting interpretations of my work. These interpretations have also brought me a lot of thought, truthfully, I think they managed to capture some of my subconscious creative thinking.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
Q. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
A. I think around the time I was 13 years old? Back then I really enjoyed making up stories and photography, and I would often imagine exciting things while strolling through the city. I later on came to realise this was a sign for my path towards creation.
Q. What film have you seen the most in your life?
A. The Sound of Music
Q. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
A. I would firstly like to thank you all so much for providing a publicity platform for my film production career! In addition, if possible, I would love to receive more news about the film festivals and meet more companions for future collaborations!
Q. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
A. In reality, this is my first time using Film Freeway, thus I am still in the process of understanding how it works. But I would like to thank the help of my international friends with the language barrier during the whole process!
Q. What is your favorite meal?
A. Hahaha, definitely McDonald’s, it’s my favourite.
Q. What is next for you? A new film?
A. As a matter of fact, upon receiving this email, I have already started the preparations for my new short film in Chongqing, China!
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 