World Premiere
How do we navigate the space between everything we think and feel and know, our consciousness of the world at large, and our deep, debilitating suspicion that we’re small, irrelevant, and inadequate? Especially if we can’t even put that dilemma into words? Vlad is a musician — at least in theory. His partner, Sophy, is a young architect and a step or three ahead of him. But she’s struggling and he’s trapped in his own head. Their relationship seems to be petering out but a sojourn on Pender Island brings an opportunity for communication.
This 60-minute experimental feature — a collaboration between directors Devan Scott and Willa Harlow Ross and actor/co-scenarists Vlad Fedulov and Sophy Romvari — applies minimalist dramatic techniques (lengthy takes, spare and elliptical dialogue scenes) with rich, fulsome cinematography and a sophisticated sound mix — featuring extensive quotations from audiobooks and podcasts — to explore the destabilising modern dichotomy between interior and external selves.
Oct 3 & 5: Q&A with directors Devan Scott & Willa Harlow Ross and actor Vladimir Fedulov
Presented by
Media Partner
Sophy Romvari, Vladimir Fedulov
Canada
2024
English
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Devan Scott, Willa Harlow Ross
Screenwriter
Devan Scott, Willa Harlow Ross, Sophy Romvari, Vladimir Fedulov, Paige Smith
Cinematography
Devan Scott
Editor
Willa Harlow Ross
Devan Scott
Devan Scott has worked as a cinematographer, colourist, educator, and occasional director for ten years. As a cinematographer, his work has screened around the world at TIFF, Locarno, Busan, and the Criterion Channel among many others. As an artist on the autism spectrum, he aims to find new ways to better represent the sensory and emotional experiences of neurodivergent individuals. He holds a BFA in Film Production from Simon Fraser University, teaches at UBC and Emily Carr, and hosts the podcasts Film Formally and How Would Lubitsch Do It. His colour work can be found at Moving Image Agency.
Willa Harlow Ross
Willa Harlow Ross has been working in film and video since co-founding Sad Hill Media in 2009. Her work behind the camera and the keyboard is always focused on finding fresh, gripping new approaches to filmmaking. As well as on-set direction, Willa participates in the screenwriting, shotlisting, editing, and sound design stages of the process. She also maintains a practice of written work, and her articles and video essays have been published by outlets such as VIFF Blog and MUBI Notebook.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Amadou & Mariam: The Blind Couple From Mali
This lovely portrait of the irresistible Malian musicians traces how the blind couple met in Bamako and instantly connected, their triumphs on the world stage and collaborations with the likes of Chris Martin, Damon Albarn and Manu Chao.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
Before Sunrise
An American backpacker (Ethan Hawke) meets a French girl (Julie Delpy) on the train to Vienna. They decide to spend the next 14 hours together until it's time for his flight. They walk and talk. This brief encounter will mark the rest of their lives.
Mistura
This foodie film from Peru tells the story of a newly single socialite reinventing herself — and the local cuisine — after her husband has left her for a younger woman. Along the way, she finds support from unexpected places...
