Shown in Compétition #4.
Synopsis
Plastic Flowers is an experimental film that aims to speak allegorically through a folklore myth about the contaminated water of a place, which eventually results to it being depopulated. All of these happen though the narration of an old man who comes back to his land after many years to find it exactly as it was when he left. Bleak. He’s searching for a pure water fountain, in vain… All he can see is bleakness and plastic flowers. Perhaps this will be his ending too?
Text from the selection committee
A fairy tale with melancholic tones narrated in voice over in a soft and moving way, a black and white with superb dreamlike tones, a simple and captivating editing.
The plastic flowers in the title, absolutely incongruous, whose idea is almost disturbing in this setting made of country fog, remain imagined, they will not appear in front of the camera. The dramatic aspect of the tale told will remain out of frame, suspended, and by this it will be even stronger and more intense.
Translation made by the translator www.DeepL.com/Translator
– G.M.
First, what is the starting point for your film? What was the context of Plastic Flowers?
This short movie consists of many themes which are included in my script for my feature movie. I am developing the script for quite a long time now. Among many aspects are the memory, the seasons as a symbolic manner, and the abandonment of the countryside due to the environmental risk we, all humans, put nature into.
What technique and material did you use to create it? More generally, what is your creative process?
As far as direction is concerned, with the voice-over and the handheld pov I tried to create a character even though he never appears in front of the camera, giving him a bizarre dimension. As far as script is concerned, an urban myth, or if you want it, an allegory about poisoning the drinking water of the village, complete the composition of two counterbalancing dimensions, the reality and the imaginary.
How do you explain the use of black and white?
Black and white gives the impression of something timeless, so it’s the pillar of the writing approach. It’s very dreamy to my eyes. Generally, if you watch something in black and white you instantly know it’s not attached to reality. So this specific dimension serves the script idea.
How long did it take to make your film?
The shooting took only a few hours. The difficult part was to wait for these foggy days, complete the writing of the narration and, of course, the editing. We had a whole month with my partner and co-producer in order to come up with the desired result.