Arpa Film Festival 2015 interviews with film directors
Kristina Cepraga, writer-director-producer
Short film, Tamara, Echelon, is a surreal black comedy by first time director, Kristina Cepraga. It is the story about Tamara, a flirtatious 75 year-old widow, who is obsessed with finding a new lover and ritually goes to the cemetery to search for a new “victim” — a new man. She meets Gelu, an 80-year-old widower and convinces him to visit her. A strange and bizarre love story between senior citizens, turns into a tragicomic situation, stirring up questions about life and death, and about the fact that there is always someone watching you.
Multi-talented writer, director, producer, and actress, Kristina Cepraga was interviewed by Sharon Swainson, Arpa Film Festival writer. Her responses are below.
Why did you choose to make your film?
When I wrote the story, I felt the need to create everything I had in my mind. I did not want to give it to another director, so I decided to direct it myself. I had a certain point of view – a special vision.
Name a moment during shooting that made you proud.
The most important moment was when I saw the leading actress and actor actually saying the lines that I wrote for them. They were really into the character. They felt everything. They were so into their characters and so into the story, it was amazing. The leading actress is 75 years old, from Romanian theater and movies, and I wanted the viewers to feel her powerful acting.
Was there a moment that became a creative breakthrough while making your film?
The film has a classical Eastern European story. But while I was writing this story, I thought about the facts that I’m a 35-year-old filmmaker, who has lived in Rome for 11 years, so I wanted the point of view (POV) to be international and modern culture meets a traditional classical culture. Echelon is the name of a Canadian satellite that is watching us from above and tracking our bank accounts emails, messages, and everything; but as a filmmaker I’m not obliging anyone to believe what I believe. The story is about someone who is being watched from somewhere.
During the creative process, was there a moment when you let go of certainties and just ran with it, allowing creativity to do its thing?
I had a moment in my movie when a character is dying in a scene. I wanted to have a POV of a dead person. It’s a camera POV that is accepted in the U.S., but not accepted in Europe. I ended up not showing it, even though I wanted it so badly. In the end, I’m proud of my choice.
Since an artist is truly never finished, is there anything that you would like to do differently or add to your film?
There were two moments. One, regarding the POV of the dead person. I’m a very strong self-critic, and I always want to do better. Fortunately, in the end I am pleased with the outcome. Two, it’s a 30 minute film, and I’m sad that I didn’t realize that it could have been a feature film.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected by the Arpa International Film Festival?
I very happy. It’s the first festival that I have been selected into. It is a very nice achievement and a happy moment for me. I’m flying to the US with my co-producer, specifically for the festival.
Written by Sharon Swainson
Communications & Content Development
2015 Arpa International Film Festival