Maciej J. Nawrocki
What is the story behind your film?
I live in Skien. This is the hometown of Henrik Ibsen. You can feel it everywhere, the City Theater named after him, his quotes, sculptures, busts of him and his character dramas and graffiti everywhere. In a very dark time for me, I temporarily lived in the room left by a girl who died of an overdose, in a house that reminded a shelter for addicts. This house is located on the legendary Snipertorpgata street, next to the Playwright's house. The atmosphere of the street, world events, warm words from a childhood friend and the magic of Christmas created HAIKU SKIEN
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
The last words of a haiku poem are the gateway to heaven.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
Yes, I think so too. That's why HAIKU SKIEN went on a world tour. I am pleasantly surprised by its successes, especially in India, where respect for people is particularly important. I spoke about its positive impact.But I do not deny that there are films that can also have a negative impact. All creators should be aware.
What creation style did you use in the production of your project? What cameraman elements did you use?
I am fascinated by Danish cinema, especially ONE TAKE shots. The Danish Dogma and classics such as "Citizen Kane" are good models where we can encounter intra-frame editing. My brother did a great job framing my character.
I live in Skien. This is the hometown of Henrik Ibsen. You can feel it everywhere, the City Theater named after him, his quotes, sculptures, busts of him and his character dramas and graffiti everywhere. In a very dark time for me, I temporarily lived in the room left by a girl who died of an overdose, in a house that reminded a shelter for addicts. This house is located on the legendary Snipertorpgata street, next to the Playwright's house. The atmosphere of the street, world events, warm words from a childhood friend and the magic of Christmas created HAIKU SKIEN
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
The last words of a haiku poem are the gateway to heaven.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
Yes, I think so too. That's why HAIKU SKIEN went on a world tour. I am pleasantly surprised by its successes, especially in India, where respect for people is particularly important. I spoke about its positive impact.But I do not deny that there are films that can also have a negative impact. All creators should be aware.
What creation style did you use in the production of your project? What cameraman elements did you use?
I am fascinated by Danish cinema, especially ONE TAKE shots. The Danish Dogma and classics such as "Citizen Kane" are good models where we can encounter intra-frame editing. My brother did a great job framing my character.
Why do you think your film should appeal to distributors?
Distributors should be more interested in the format of One-Minute Films, which require considerable creativity, which allows them to select talented creators, e.g. without technical background. However, the format itself is ideal for the comprehensive popularization of artistic cinema among today's busy society.
At which festival has your film been screened?
Haiku Skien debuted in my hometown of Gdańsk at the One-Minute Film Festival organized by REFLEKSJA film studies students. It was the only selection out of three entries sent in Poland. I went to Požega in Croatia to see the film. A great memory, even though the film made on a phone had a poor visual presentation on big screen . Shortly after returning from Croatia and with my great skepticism, the film received its first semi-finalist awards in Santa Barbara. Shortly afterwards, an honorable mention in Athens, where a quite critical review was made. Which did not stop the film from receiving Triple Victories in India, including Doubles in two categories. Not long ago, another two victories in the USA. The last one in Philadelphia. I would be very satisfied if the film was more appreciated in Europe, where Human Rights was created.
How did your acquaintances react when they first saw the film?
Yes, a few of my friends saw the film. Most of the time I received polite compliments, but I don't think they were particularly impressed with the film at first. They are certainly a bit surprised by its success today.
Which movies are your favorites and why?
As I mentioned, I am passionate about Danish cinema, but that's not the only place where I find my favorite films. Unfortunately, I will not undertake to point out any, because there are many more than a few of them, and I might feel guilty about the films not mentioned.
What topics do you like to address in your stories?
Since childhood, when I used to go to festival cinemas in Gdynia to play truant, I was fascinated by superproductions. Lively action, characteristic characters, beautiful scenery and locations. Maybe in the future I will be able to revive my earlier projects that did not find the right people at the right time, or I did not have as much clout in my homeland, where creating cinema is an elite and hermetic activity, subject to specialized education.
What is your motivation in making films?
There is a voice somewhere inside me that gives me the power to create history. So as to ignite the viewer's feelings and give him the opportunity to think more than once, which are valuable gifts for his soul.
There is a voice somewhere inside me that gives me the power to create history. So as to ignite the viewer's feelings and give him the opportunity to think more than once, which are valuable gifts for his soul.
Which contemporary filmmakers motivate you the most?
Susanne Bier, Tarantino, Tarkowski,Polański,Clint Eastwood
Susanne Bier, Tarantino, Tarkowski,Polański,Clint Eastwood
What projects do you plan to shoot in the future?
I plan to shoot another 2/3 short films to make my presence in the cinema more visible. The designs already have their skeleton characters. In the near future, I plan to finish working on the script of the superproduction Hydrogåte (Heroes from Telemark 2) and start working on a rather surprising, completely new full-length project, which currently seems to be the most interesting of all my projects so far. Maybe this will be the one that will be successful. As I mentioned at the beginning of the interview, a debuting filmmaker must rather look for topics that will attract the attention of a wider audience in order to also gain the financial interest of producers and distributors. Commercial success allows the creator to open all possibilities and doors in the future.
I plan to shoot another 2/3 short films to make my presence in the cinema more visible. The designs already have their skeleton characters. In the near future, I plan to finish working on the script of the superproduction Hydrogåte (Heroes from Telemark 2) and start working on a rather surprising, completely new full-length project, which currently seems to be the most interesting of all my projects so far. Maybe this will be the one that will be successful. As I mentioned at the beginning of the interview, a debuting filmmaker must rather look for topics that will attract the attention of a wider audience in order to also gain the financial interest of producers and distributors. Commercial success allows the creator to open all possibilities and doors in the future.