An interview with the Director of Memorable Night: screening at the 2024 Mosaic World Film Festival.
In a retirement home, Robert and Marcelle are getting ready for an event that will take them out of their daily lives: a night out at the discotheque. Despite Robert’s Alzheimer’s disease does not improve, Marcelle stays by his side, reviving memories. Clémentine, their granddaughter, has volunteered to accompany them and is looking forward to sharing important news with them….
1. What drew you to create this film?
My film carries a message of hope: growing old doesn’t equate to being lifeless. Being unwell doesn’t equate to being lifeless either. This message of hope was inspired by Youssef Kaddar, an animation manager at several retirement homes in Belgium.
One day, he decided to take the residents to a nightclub, a gesture I found truly remarkable. I knew it was a story worth sharing. Hence, I resolved to bring the light on nursing homes and our elderly. If I can, in a modest way, prompt people to contemplate these issues, it would bring me great joy.
There are nursing homes where residents are treated exceptionally well. Even those with a less-than-favorable reputation could benefit from reflecting on how they can enhance their approach. Yes, it’s demanding work, a calling, but I believe that by improving the quality of life for our elders, not only will they feel better, but the job itself may become more manageable.
And if that means occasionally taking them to a nightclub, having a bar on-site, or organizing speed dating events, why not? I’d like to emphasize that all of these initiatives already exist. We mustn’t forget that in 20, 30, or 40 years, we might find ourselves in their position. I’d be thrilled to believe I’m still 30 years old at that time.
2. What does filmmaking mean to you?
I’m an actor first and it’s been a long time that I have stories in mind, scenarios written… And I knew that directing was the next step. It’s a fantastic way for me to connect with the audience. My first movie was very short and one of the best return I’ve had from a director was that he was impressed of all the feelings that pass threw him in three minutes. “Less is more” as you say in English, and I think it’s even more important when you’re writing. I don’t make a movie in 20mn if I can make It in 10.
What I really like and want is that my movies make people talk and think… Even if they don’t like it, I want to share points of view.
3. What advice would you give students or beginners that want to make films?
The best advice, I think, is to have a story worth sharing and you have to be convinced that you subject is interesting to watch. The second is to create a great team at each technical and artistically post. It’s not impossible, if you have a great project, people will follow you, but you have to really think about the message you want to share.
4. What films do you watch again and again?
Ohhhh there’s a lot, and quite different! About sport, acceptance, true story and kind of “feel good movie” my favorite is « Cool Rasta »… I love the end. About great actor performance and directing, « Forrest Gump ». And once a year, I take some nights to watch the saga « Lord of the rings »! So, it’s quite eclectic.
Thank you Romain!
You can get tickets for the #2024mwff here: https://filmfreeway.com/MosaicWorldFilmFestival/tickets