In 52 Raisons (52 Reasons), Mathieu crosses the city carrying a small but precious bag. Between a spilled coffee, a mix-up with identical bags and an overly curious dog, his simple mission becomes an obstacle course. When he finally meets Jade in the park, it becomes clear that what he carries is not simply an object, but something he still doesn’t dare to say out loud.
What inspired the story behind your short film?
The idea of filming an entire project from the point of view of a bag was sleeping in my tiny idea box. I wanted to make something light, something simple that warms the heart, so I wrote the story of a boy who found a way to confess his love, even though it’s hard for him to show his feelings.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
That love can be something different from the tears, the screams, the intensity. It can be simple and light.
Why are short films so important in today’s media landscape?
In a world where people’s attention span is becoming shorter and shorter, short films have a more direct approach. They gave the young filmmakers the possibility to experiment and make their voices heard
What advice would you give to someone making their first short film?
To make it simple, don’t be perfectionist. We learn by doing mistakes and most importantly: surround yourself with people that have the same passion and the same desire.
Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival important for filmmakers?
Festivals are so important because they create a real meeting place around cinema. They allow filmmakers to take their films out of the production framework, share them with an audience and confront their work with other perspectives.
