How did the shoot go? What pleasant things surprised you?
The shoot for my short film "Go WEST" was an intense week, full of surprises. Beyond the meticulous planning, I was pleasantly surprised by the cohesion of the team, the inspiring moments of improvisation, the palpable magic of creation coming to life before my eyes, the gratifying collaboration with the actors, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges with ingenuity. Every day on set was an adventure in which I was amazed by my team's boundless creativity and resilience, reinforcing my passion for filmmaking and directing. At the last minute, I was incredibly lucky to get the film's two iconic cars thanks to two car and film enthusiasts.
Who is the target group for your film?
Go West is a captivating short film combining road movie and friendship, is aimed primarily at young adults aged 18 to 75. These viewers, often in search of adventure and self-discovery, will be attracted by the film's themes of freedom, travel and deep camaraderie. With its appealing visual style, featuring beautiful landscapes and a light-hearted narrative interspersed with humorous and emotional moments, "Go West" will particularly resonate with those who appreciate dynamic storytelling and beautiful cinematography. In addition, fans of independent cinema and festival-goers, always on the lookout for short, punchy formats, will find in this film a work that celebrates the value of genuine friendships and personal growth, thus reaching a wider audience thanks to its universal and accessible themes.
How would you define your work? What characterizes your film?
Go West can be defined as a short film exploring the inner journey of two men at a pivotal moment in their lives, as they aspire to reach the earthly paradise that is Hollywood. The film highlights the challenges, hopes and aspirations of the characters as they embark on a symbolic journey in search of new opportunities, personal fulfillment and success. Through their journey, Go West tackles universal themes such as ambition, the desire for change and the quest for happiness, while offering a reflection on human nature and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world.
Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
At the age of 12, "Jaws" was the catalyst for my passion for filmmaking. Steven Spielberg's mastery left an indelible impression on me, prompting me to explore his entire filmography and instantly recognize his work just by looking at the VHS covers. Later, "Top Gun" confirmed my desire to become a director, impressed by its technical prowess and timeless impact. The creative process, from developing a story to bringing it to life on screen, gave me incomparable pleasure and solidified my conviction that directing was my path.
Who is your greatest role model?
My greatest role model as a director is Tony Scott, an iconic figure known for his distinctive visual style and fast-paced films. I admire his innovative use of color, light and camera angles, as well as his ability to get memorable performances from renowned actors like Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise. His films tackle profound themes such as redemption and military ethics, while remaining exciting thanks to dynamic action sequences. Scott is also a technical innovator, using the latest technologies to enrich his films. His passion and dedication to his artistic vision, despite commercial pressures, inspire me deeply as a director.
What are your favorite films? What are your favorite films?
"Top Gun is my favorite film. First of all, the film offers a thrilling combination of action, romance and camaraderie, with spectacular airplane scenes that captivate the attention. What's more, the charismatic characters, especially that of Maverick played by Tom Cruise, can be highly engaging and inspiring for many viewers. The film's iconic soundtrack, notably Kenny Loggins' song "Danger Zone", contributes to its appeal, evoking a sense of nostalgia for some and adding an extra dimension of excitement for others. Finally, "Top Gun" marked an entire generation with its aesthetics and style, becoming an iconic symbol of the 80s. These combined elements may explain why this film occupies a special place in your heart and why it's your favorite.
What's more, Tony Scott brought a distinctive visual energy to the film, with his dynamic style and bold direction. His work on the action scenes and his ability to create palpable tension certainly helped make "Top Gun" a memorable film.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I draw my inspiration from the people around me, particularly their experiences and desires. It always makes the characters seem more "real". I'd like to point out that the character of Joseph is directly inspired by the real-life story of the actor who plays him, which facilitated the dialogues and his performance in the film. I like to emphasize the transmission from one experience to another, which helps strengthen the bonds between the characters. I like to think that, after the success of Top Gun, Tom Cruise chose his leading man roles with actors from another era as mentors, like Robert Duvall in Day of thunder, Paul Newman in The color of money, Gene Hackman in The Firme or Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, as mentioned above.
How would you rate current film production?
I think that big-budget films often dominate the box office, and that a return to more traditional cinema of 20 or 30 years ago is seen as necessary to explore deeper subjects, promote originality and cultural diversity, provide a platform for new talent, and create a stronger emotional connection and intellectual engagement with viewers, underlining the importance of cinematic art beyond commercial profit.
What are your next projects?
I have 2 big projects in mind. I'm currently writing the feature film adaptation of Go West, which I hope to be able to produce, and the second will be on the delicate theme of life after life. The story is written, but I need to keep refining the details to keep it logical, understandable and captivating.
And I'm preparing another feature film on the theme of life after life...
