September 30, 2024

Carmen Tortosa: Filmmaking requires passion and teamwork; immigration is key

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What are the most formidable challenges inherent to the profession of filmmaking?

The creation of an audiovisual work requires putting your heart and firmly believing in the story that is going to be told. Forming a great team and obtaining support and subsidies is essential. The economic issue is usually the great challenge for the project to move forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you elaborate on the wellspring of your creative inspiration for this particular short film?

The Roundabout is a story of immigration, it shows a harsh reality, but we wanted to treat it with a poetic, observational rhythm, we did not use voice-over or opinion interviews. We show this complex reality to the viewer to reflect and dignify that population that suffers and that many times we know nothing about how they manage to survive. One of the references, whom we love, is Pedro Costa, Portuguese filmmaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hide and Seek | Poster
Karolina Belka

Could you elucidate on the central thematic underpinning of your film?

Immigration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do you navigate the task of strategizing cost-effective promotional efforts when operating within a constrained budget?

Every film, of any length, is made to show the public. Sometimes it is very difficult to promote your work when you have a limited budget. Festivals, like Kaafilm, are essential for this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In today's dynamic marketplace, how pivotal do you consider the role of film distribution?

Distribution is very important, it is the way to make the project visible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For individuals contemplating the path of self-distribution, what counsel or insights can you offer?

It is a way to contemplate, especially when you have a small budget. The platforms for applying to festivals greatly encourage this self-distribution. Specifically, I distributed the documentary The Roundabout.

In your estimation, what level of significance do short films hold for aspiring filmmakers seeking to embark on a career in directing?

My opinion is that the short film format is as cinematic as a feature film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting on your professional journey thus far, could you share an instance of the most formidable challenge you encountered and how you surmounted it?

An important challenge was entering and being allowed to film in the immigrant settlement where The Roundabout takes place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What, in your view, are the critical factors that contribute to the creation of a cinematic masterpiece?

That the director is a genius and that he has the recognition to be able to develop his projects. An example: any Kurosawa film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you could revisit the inception of your career, are there any aspects or decisions you would choose to alter in hindsight?

I worked as a doctor for more than 30 years, and I began to train late in what I was passionate about, which was cinema. I would have started earlier.

KAAFFILM is an international network of distribution, production, and promotion of short films. #Kaaffilm

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