Dan Abramovici’s short film Spaceman explore one artist’s loss of creative passion and his journey to get it back. To learn more about the film, check out Dan’s responses to our questions to our “5 Questions With” series below!
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Were there any challenges in making this project?
The film is a bit like a fever dream… We go into the mind of this Chaplin-obsessed performer, as he confronts his imposter syndrome, and I wanted everything we see to feel like it’s something he could have created for himself. Having all those disparate elements, and fitting them into a coherent narrative, was definitely a challenge. A fun one though, and I’m super grateful to my DP and Editor for helping me rewrite the story on the day, and again in the edit.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
I really wanted to make a hopeful film here. An affirming film. One for the weirdos and artists and the people who often feel like what they’re doing is too niche and maybe they should just give up. I hope this movie gives them that little bit of a push to keep going a bit longer.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
So fun! We played HollyShorts before, with my film liminal, but it was COVID and everything was virtual. Now, we get to enjoy this story at an iconic movie theatre, and I’m very excited to meet other filmmakers, and grow my community.
What inspired you to start making films?
When I immigrated to Canada, movies were sort of like my lens into the world. So I was always very enamored with the magic of movie making, and wanted to be a part of it. And then, growing up as a teenage, I had what you might describe as a “writer’s physique”. I didn’t play a lot of sports. So now, being on set, being a part of this massive team of talented people all pulling the same direction… I love it.
What’s on the horizon for you?
SPACEMAN is a standalone short story, but also is very much a proof of concept for a feature I’ve written, titled Searching For Marceau. The film recently became a finalist at Shore Scripts, Slamdance, Austin, and we just learned that we’re at least a Nicholl’s Quarterfinalist. We hope to use that momentum, and the short films, to get the feature into production.
Besides that, I would love to use my films as calling cards to get out there and collaborate with new people. I would love to direct other people’s stories, help out on new scripts, and grow my community outside of Toronto.
Thank you so much, Dan, for sharing your responses! Click here to get tickets for the 20th Annual Hollyshorts Film Festival, running from August 9th to August 17th at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.
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