THE BINDING BELL, 10min., USA, Crime/Thriller
Directed by Jeremiah Holt
A folklore professor is visited in the night by a student who has recently gone missing.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to challenge myself to make something with just two actors in one room and very little budget. Thematically, I was inspired by films like Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Vanishing which both turn their focus onto the idea of mystery itself and how we respond to ambiguity and lacking answers. I wanted to do something similar with the added element of folklore as a possible answer.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
No joke, almost 2 years for this little 10 minute film. We shot two completely different versions of it. The first one had an action scene and was more of a fantasy genre film and I ended up feeling it wasn’t worth finishing. So I decided to rewrite it into this current film instead. My two actors and I shot 6+ hours of footage over 7 shooting days, did a ton of experimenting during that time, and then I spent over a year working on post-production by myself in my spare time. It was a huge learning experience.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Midnight Folktale
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Sound mixing by far. I had never really done it before so it was a big challenge to learn and get it right.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was awesome to hear the different interpretations and thought processes that everyone had in response to it. I wanted it to be a film that people would all respond differently to, so it was awesome to hear.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I started when I was a kid, probably age 7 when I made my first film, so it’s always just been something that I naturally do. It’s never really felt like a goal I’m pursuing so much as just something that I do because I love it.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Napoleon Dynamite if you count childhood haha. In my adult life, Persona.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
This film is my first experience with festivals and I found this one to be especially great. The audience reaction video was really awesome.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Great
10. What is your favorite meal?
A pancake stack buried in a disgusting amount of whip cream, syrup, and candy. With a thick hot chocolate.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Working on a horror short right now!
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 