In each episode, the C.E.O. of WILDsound, Matthew Toffolo, chats about all things storytelling and film. Conversations with talented individual from all around the world.
APHASIC DREAM, 24min,. Bolivia
Directed by Leo Rojas
Fernando, a guy with a messy life, starts having strange dreams of a kid in an abandoned warehouse.
http://leorojas.me/
https://www.instagram.com/steverojas00/
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
THE SILENT SYNTHETIC SYMPHONY: A Human-AI Collaboration, 7min., Greece
Directed by Giannakopoulos Efstathios
In a silent environment, artificial intelligence meets the boundless human mind and together they unite their powers to create a music and dance piece of scientific fantasy. The lyrics, composed by a robotic mind simulating the writing style of the great author William Shakespeare, draw upon a poem about Silence and how people perceive it today. The music was composed by a team of music producers, while the words are voiced by the unique, yet artificial, voice of the late English actor, Alan Rickman. Our protagonist performs theatrical dance movements, which constitute his unique way of communication. At times, he manages to harmonize with the space-time and feel tranquility within the silence, while at other times, he faces challenges. Will he, however, emerge unscathed from this enthralling blend of the artificial and the human?
http://www.3shumanai.com/
https://www.facebook.com/3shumanai
Get to know the filmmaker:
I had the desire to express myself, to share ideas and emotions. The goal and inspiration for my work were to merge arts and creative editing techniques, and to visually and aurally capture the concept of “silence.” The silence experienced by people today through the social pressures they face. However, to achieve the desired result, artificial intelligence had to work for us, to make the impossible possible. By training the system, we obtained the material that “we lacked” and proved that targeted exploitation of technology can give us tangible results.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
CIRCLES, 6min., USA
Directed by Alijah Johnson
“Circles” is a visually stunning short film that takes the audience on a symbolic journey of personal transformation. The protagonist undergoes a profound metamorphosis, depicted through allegorical scenes representing different stages of self-discovery and growth. “Circles” explores the intricate dance between self-discovery, vulnerability, determination, sacrifice, and artistic power. Through its rich symbolism and powerful visuals, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys of transformation and the circles they navigate in becoming their true selves.
https://www.instagram.com/alijah.aj/?hl=en
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/circles-review
Get to know the filmmaker:
Well, the inspiration behind “Circles ” stemmed from a deeply personal experience I went through a breakup with my ex-girlfriend. Instead of letting that experience crush me, I decided to channel that energy into something transformative. It was like becoming an alchemist, transmuting pain into creative fuel. As I delved deeper into exploring energies and self-discovery, I realized the power we have over our own filters. I believe we create filters we have a process of interpreting information that we’re not fully aware of and become aware of we choose to let in and how we process it. Which takes a lot of self exploration to become aware of. This journey of self-awareness and transformation became the driving force behind the film. I wanted to emerge from that dark phase as a completely new person, (dark night of the soul double entendre for the mountain scene) and this film captures that journey of metamorphosis. This film was like medication for me, especially during a period of depression and profound personal transformation. Going through a metamorphosis is very uncomfortable, much like many processes in nature where growth is necessary. For instance, plants breaking through soil or butterfly coming out a cocoon. It’s not pretty or comforting, but it’s necessary for growth. A lot was Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, the theme of circles reflects the idea that we can get stuck in one perspective or state of consciousness, trapped by our irreplaceable filters. This film served as a reminder that exploring new perspectives is essential for personal growth, even if it means destroying old aspects of ourselves. The process of making the film was just as therapeutic as the final product. It taught me that I have the power to bring my visions to life and that the journey as an artist brining things from the unseen world that you only have access to, to reality is challenging but rewarding. Ultimately, “Circles” became a message to myself, guiding me through my own transformation and helping me learn valuable lessons not only when I was making it but also for myself in the future.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
WATER ALWAYS GOES WHERE IT WANTS TO GO, 5min., Romania
New Media Artist by Yiou Wang
“Water Always Goes Where It Wants to Go” is an ecoperformance CG art video of the body in synergy with the storied landscape of water. How can we go back to something we already have? We are born out of water, and water constitutes our body, our territories, and our myths. Mapping water through the body, in between transitory space for waters, the short film investigates the relationship between the self, its embodied and somatic dialogues, and these physical and symbolic waters, questioning how we can return to our first water, the common body.
http://yiouwang.org/
https://twitter.com/YiouWang1
https://www.instagram.com/yiou_wang_/
Get to know the filmmaker:
This short film is the natural product of a very rich and interesting conversation Alina and I have. Many of our ideas clicked and crosspollinated. Alina is an actress and performance artist, who expresses through her body; I am a visual artist who expresses through image and form. We are both empaths who share an intuitive, embodied connection to a larger, more-than-human world. Alina has been introducing to the world the method of ecoperformance for many years, where she embodies a forest, a river, a crow, or an ancient mythic being and shapeshifts in synergy with the consciousness of the embodied. We began to focus on water, as water is our first body – the amniotic fluid is where we come from, and our common body. In many precolonial cultures and epistemologies, the land is often also corporeal. In Tuva, the mountain peak is the heart of mountain ranges, where rivers are the aortas, the soil’s blood vessels.
Alina and I wanted to create a branch of artworks embodying water combining her ecoperformance and my virtual filmmaking. She performs embodying water from our animistic perspective, and I do the motion capture, transferring her movement to the avatars of water. The scenography is designed with a root in theatre arts, where I put my 3D scanned natural environment pieces in the scene reminiscent of stage.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It is hard to pinpoint the start of this project, since Alina and I have been communicating for a year and our minds grew into this rich constellation. Since the beginning, we agreed to draft some proposals to apply for certain live performance art grants. After that, we thought why not make a film to further illustrate our proposal? And the actual production and editing of this film was about three weeks. But it’s hard to say it’s only three weeks, because a lot of the models I put into the environment were from my longtime habit of 3D scanning in my forest hikes.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
ROOM OF MEMORIES, 2min., Australia
Directed by Suniva Maya Miller
The story of heartbreak told from the memory center of the brain.
https://instagram.com/caffeinated_dream_dream
Get to know the filmmaker:
It was my first ever animated film that I developed during my first year of university. For some reason I had this feeling that I had to make something so emotional and deep. At the time I had just been through a pretty rough breakup with someone who I had been friends with for much longer. So I wanted to write and make something that would reflect the complicated emotions I had surrounding this person and our relationship.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
PROHAIRESIS, 13min., USA
Directed by Rebecca Arends
A 13 minute dance film featuring four female dancers filmed in four international locations and an all-female string quartet filmed in Chicago. The dance is based on Stoic philosopher Epictetus’s concepts surrounding the faculty of choice, moral character and volition.
http://prohairesisfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rrhstrings/
https://www.instagram.com/noraruthwilliams/
Get to know the filmmakers:
Rebecca Arends: Director/ Choreographer/ Producer
Nora Williams: Executive Producer
Rebecca:
I was facing a crossroads in my career and personal life and have always sought my faith, my father’s wisdom, or philosophy to guide me. Prohairesis, the film, is a response to stoic philosopher, Epictetus’s concept of the same name, which is translated to will, volition, moral character and exercising one’s faculty of choice. I wanted the challenge of using this concept in a dance film.
Nora:
The pandemic doldrums motivated us to take artistic risks and try something different. Becca and I had wanted to do another project together and when two grants came in in close proximity in 2021, we knew we had a green light. For me personally, the death of my husband Shawn Quaid in July 2021 put in stark relief that the time is now to really live life to the fullest and pursue different opportunities that present themselves. It was an opportunity to communicate the sheer joy of the beauty of life through the lens of dance and string quartet.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
A SHATTERING, 20min., USA
Directed by Jan Jalenak
A carefully constructed marriage implodes when an unexpected call unleashes a fragility and pain that have been simmering for years.
http://babydollfilms.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JanJalenak
https://www.instagram.com/janjalenak
Jan Jalenak is back on the podcast after chatting about her previous film "You Can Kiss Me": https://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2021/11/6/november-7-2021-filmmaker-jan-jalenak-you-can-kiss-me
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
TARARUA S-K, 22min., New Zealand
Directed by Andy Carruthers
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to push your limits in the wild, facing the ultimate physical challenge? The Tararua SK Traverse is waiting for you.
https://tararuask.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TararuaSK
https://www.instagram.com/tararuask_film/
Get to know the filmmaker:
I want to inspire people to go on an adventure ⛰️
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ-DmtHBCeU
Out of work actors in LA plan a robbery of a marijuana dispensary in the middle of Covid lockdown.
Get to know the writer:
The plot is a heist of a dispensary during the peak of Covid lockdown. But the story is about who is winning and losing in the modern American economy. In it, a couple young American males have lost faith in the late capitalist system. History tells us that when young males feel lost en masse, bad things can happen. Here, this group takes a crazy risk with their lives over a compartively small prize. By the start of the film, they have lost faith in institutions, dropped out of higher education, and are pursuing moonshots to achieve what they perceive as success. You could read the story as a mini-revolution with real winners and losers.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
ANDY KEYS CLARK – ‘SHE’S SO SPECTOR-ESQUE’, 4min., UK
Directed by Ignatius Rake
An animated tribute to legendary singer and 60s icon Ronnie Spector (1943-2022), this epic music video for UK soul and ska stalwart Andy Keys Clark (AKC) blasts Space-Race rocketry out to the furthest corners of the cosmos to help a lovestruck astronaut reconnect with his enigmatic lover.
https://www.ninjinart.com/
Get to know the filmmaker:
I had worked with Andy Keys Clark before on a couple of video projects, including a short musical film about the COVID-19 lockdowns, or ‘bang-ups’, in our hometown in Cornwall, UK. He was looking for a video for his song ‘She’s So Spector-Esque’ and I jumped at the chance when he asked me.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
OJUE, 13min,. USA
Directed by Fernando Alberto Broce
A panamanian fashion designer living in the US, who is embarrassed about her culture, is forced to bring her dad with dementia (who is convinced that he is still in Panama) to her most important exhibition.
Get to know the filmmaker:
Since I moved to Los Angeles two years ago, I have felt a great nostalgia for my country, Panama. I wanted to tell a story whose characters would reflect this. I wanted to tell a story that would serve as a collage of the things I miss most about my country.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
SETTING BOUNDARIES, 5min., Poland
Directed by Iza Pajak
A woman tries to set boundaries while struggling to fight for her needs.
Get to know writer/producer/star Diana Matlak:
I have been struggling with setting boundaries my entire life.
I was a people pleaser and still to this day I find it not easy to set boundaries.
The subject of this film is very personal to me. I also think that the ability to set boundaries is an issue for a lot of people nowadays. A lot of us wanna meet other people’s expectations and seek approval of other people, often forgetting about ourselves and our needs. That’s why I really wanted to make this film, to talk about setting boundaries and show that we all have a voice.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
LITTLE EMPTY BOXES, 99min., USA
Directed by Max Lugavere, Chris Newhard
Little Empty Boxes is a feature length documentary from filmmaker Max Lugavere, who chronicles the last several years of his mothers' life as she battles a mysterious form of Dementia. As Kathy's world begins to deteriorate around her, Max consults with some of the world's leading experts in medicine to learn how diet and lifestyle affects our brain.
https://www.littleemptyboxes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/littleemptyboxes/
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
IN BETWEEN, 14min., Canada
Directed by Christie Pawluch
In Between tells the story of Blake, who lives a happy heteronormative life with her long time partner, Eric. After some vivid unexpected dreams, she gets a visit from a love from her past life, Adeline, who shows up to her home from across the world. If your past showed up on your doorstep… what would you do?
http://chriativeproductions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/chriativeproductions/
Get to know the filmmaker:
Heartbreak. After an intense and passionate love with a person from France, it was left unfinished. Making this film was therapy for me. A creative outlet to let go. There was so much love there so I turned it into a film that means alot to me even personally.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
WORLD WAR II: THE SHIPWRECKS OF TRUK LAGOON, 45min., Germany
Directed by Christian Wehrle
“World War II: The Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon” is a 45-minute documentary that dives into the haunting underwater world of Chuuk Lagoon, a site of immense historical and ecological significance. Once a formidable fortress for the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II, this tranquil Pacific lagoon now cradles a ghostly fleet of sunken warships and aircraft, remnants of the devastating Operation Hailstone. Through a blend of captivating underwater footage, historical insights, and expert interviews, the documentary unveils the stories of these submerged relics. It explores the ecological transformation of these wrecks into vibrant marine habitats, while also pondering the ethical considerations of diving in this underwater graveyard. The film invites viewers on a reflective journey, intertwining the lagoon’s war-torn past with its present status as a unique sanctuary for marine life, leaving a lasting impression of the intricate ties between history, humanity, and the natural world.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555290403495
Get to know the filmmaker:
The motivation for creating “World War II: The Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon” stemmed from my profound passion for scuba diving. Truk Lagoon had been at the pinnacle of my diving destinations list for over a decade. When I finally had the chance to dive there and witness its underwater marvels, I felt compelled to share this unique story with the world.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
BURTON ROCKS CALLING, 30min., USA
Directed by Burton Rocks
Burton Rocks’ health left him isolated. So, he started calling some of America’s biggest stars.
They answered.
Forty years later, Burton shares his fascinating collection of interviews for the first time.
Get to know the filmmaker:
Burton Rocks: I wanted to thank my parents for giving me the freedom of expression when I was so ill in my youth in hospitals. Today I am hoping this film inspires others.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
THE GIFT OF MAGPIE, 11min,. USA
Directed by Anita George
It’s carpe diem for a couple of small time grifters on Christmas Eve 1934.
Get to know the filmmaker:
I love the genre and thought it might be interesting to tell a story about expectation and balance of power. I wrote the screenplay a few years before filming actually started. Once that was completed it was about 11 months until the film’s first public screening.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
DISMISSAL TIME, 29min,. USA
Directed by Andre Joseph
When a black high school student in a reputable prep school becomes the victim of a vicious form of cyberbullying, his history teacher makes it her mission to bring those responsible to task when the administration fails to act. Inspired by true events
Get to know the filmmaker:
I experienced racially-motivated bullying as a high school freshman where I was one of the few black students in my class. For years, I tried to suppress the trauma privately even though there were times I was uncomfortable in my skin. When the murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked a national reckoning on race relations in America, I felt motivated to speak about my experience through film and I began to write Dismissal Time that summer inspired by my history.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER – SUKI & SOKKA, 4min., USA
Directed by Jeoffrey TC Howe
The lighthearted rivalry between Sokka and Suki unfolds as they engage in a friendly competition, showcasing their respective strengths and weaknesses.
https://www.facebook.com/liveactionavatar
https://instagram.com/officialjaynjay
Get to know producer Jonathan Gallo:
We are big fans of the Avatar the Last Airbender Series, and an actress reached out to our Youtube channel about collaborating on a short about Suki and Sokka. So we wrote the script and got things going. The main goal was to just pay homage to the cartoon.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
WHERE THE ROPE ENDS, 70min., USA
Directed by Baylee Sinner
In her relentless pursuit of happiness, Nichole found herself drawn to the exhilarating realm of canyoneering. Little did she know that this new daring interest would lead to a life-altering 60-foot fall, during which she would catch a glimpse of the happiness she was chasing.
http://www.wheretheropeends.com/
http://www.facebook.com/wheretheropeends
http://www.twitter.com/wtredocumentary
https://instagram.com/wheretheropeends
Get to know the filmmaker:
I met Nichole in a 6-month yoga teacher training program. At the time, I was destressing from my commercial advertising job and she had just got in the accident and was in a wheelchair, and looking for a way to get outside of her body and connect with others. I learned more about her story and was fascinated with her as a person. Within 10 minutes of our first conversation, we started talking about making a film.
You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.
