THE CAPTIVE, 15min., Australia
Directed by Alexander Ku
Two men Simon and Dennis meet online for a real time hook-up. What happens blurs the lines between desire and manipulation, as events fold into a dangerous baiting struggle.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The inspiration behind ‘The Captive’ stemmed from my curiosity to delve into the complexities of the male psyche, exploring themes of loss, desire, anger, and violence. Rather than solely focusing on traditional depictions of male camaraderie, I was driven to unravel the intricate layers of homosocial bonds shared between emotionally conflicted men. Central to this exploration were universal issues such as loneliness, anxiety, mental health, sexuality, and the nuanced dynamics of consent, including the often overlooked ‘me too’ aspect among men.

Moreover, I sought to reimagine the Psychological Drama genre by infusing it with European Expressionist influences. Through the integration of metaphors and symbolism, I aimed to evoke subtext and subjectivity, challenging viewers to engage with the film on both conscious and subconscious levels.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The journey of creating this film spanned several stages over a six-month period.

Initially, I spent approximately two weeks brainstorming the concept and crafting the pitch deck. Once the project received approval, I had a tight two-week timeframe to develop the screenplay, iterating through approximately eight drafts to refine the narrative.

Moving into production, we allocated four days for casting and auditions to assemble the right talent. The studio shoot took place over a concise two-and-a-half day period, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality, with an additional six hours dedicated to exterior scenes.

Post-production involved meticulous attention to detail. Editing the footage took approximately ten hours to refine pacing and narrative flow. Subsequently, we dedicated around five days to color grading, enhancing visual aesthetics to align with the film’s thematic elements.

The music composition phase allowed the composer two months to craft a score that elevated the viewer’s experience. Finally, sound design received approximately five days of dedicated attention to ensure immersive auditory elements.

Overall, each stage was meticulously planned and executed to bring our vision to life.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Intense, Introspection

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle I faced in completing this film was securing financing. When an educational institution came on board to support the project, I had to adjust my screenplay to align with their standards and expectations. This included toning down explicit language and sex scenes to ensure the film complied with the institution’s guidelines without compromising its artistic integrity.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was gratifying to hear the audience’s reactions to my film and to know that they understood the themes, story structure, shifts in focus, perspective, and genre, as well as the subtexts. I appreciated that they recognised the aesthetic choices I made with cinematography and colour palette, set design, voice-over, performances, and music. Knowing that they were emotionally involved while watching the film made me happy.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I realised that I wanted to make films after watching Patrice Leconte’s film ‘Monsieur Hire’ as a school student. Despite initially pursuing studies in ballet, psychology, and education at universities, I eventually attended film school.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film I’ve seen the most in my life is Eric Rohmer’s ‘Boyfriends and Girlfriends (L’Amie de mon amie).’ It’s a very charming and delightful film.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I believe this festival excelled in promoting filmmaking and marketing the films. It’s essential for filmmakers to share their work and make it accessible to audiences.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway, as the festival platform, has been good and friendly to navigate.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favourite meal is a bowl of fresh fruit salad consisting of mango, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, and kiwi. It’s light and refreshing.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Besides teaching at a college, I am currently in post-production for a documentary feature film, and I’m also in the process of developing a feature drama.