At The Movie Buff we are always on the lookout for indie filmmakers and their creations. We had the chance to chat with Alain Nouvel about his debut film “State (Remix)” and his amazing life!
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Alain Nouvel and I am the filmmaker behind State (Remix), an ultra-low budget feature film that I wrote, directed, edited, and produced. I got my start in the film business in New York City in 2009 as a set runner on an independent feature film called Finding Julia and as a video editor for companies like Warby Parker, Lenovo, and SearchParty Music. One day, I landed a job as Director’s Assistant to three time Sundance Best Cinematography Award winner Ellen Kuras. For the next year I worked alongside her in that role. She inspired me to make State (Remix), my first feature film.
I’ve also sailed over the Indian Ocean, trekked in the Himalayas, camped in the African savannah, and studied film in Paris. I have been fortunate enough to have lived in 7 countries on 5 continents, in places like: Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Dar es Salaam, Islamabad, Hilo…
What got you interested in filmmaking? Who are your influences?
I never knew filmmaking could be a profession when I was growing up. It never really occurred to me, even though I watched films religiously. I had never even met a filmmaker until I got to college. It was kind of confusing to be honest. Everyone seemed to know the “industry” and I, like some naïve chump, just seemed to love watching movies. I remember these two box sets of VHS tapes I got one year for my birthday when I was 12 or 13: the first three James Bond films, and the original Star Wars trilogy. I must have watched those movies a hundred times each, sometimes back to back. But when I think of my influences, the first things that come to mind are Blade Runner and Stanley Kubrick, and then Seven Samurai.
I feel like my first truly cinematic experience was when I went to see Gladiator. It was my first time seeing a film on my own in the theater. It was R rated and I wasn’t seventeen yet either so that made it feel like I was seeing something forbidden. And there was also the fact that I had lied to my parents about going to study for the SATs but went to see this instead, on one of those giant three story panoramic screens at a place called Uptown Theatre. It felt special and personal because I couldn’t tell anyone what I did and yet it had this profound effect on my experience. This tiny little kid overwhelmed by all that sound and image and completely transfixed by it as well. I don’t know why really but it still resonates with me to this day. And that score by Hans Zimmer with those wailing vocals by Lisa Gerrard.
We loved State (Remix). What was your inspiration in making it? What do you hope others will get out of watching?
I remember reading this article in the New Yorker about the day Lyndon Johnson was inaugurated as president. There was this picture of him standing on Air Force One next to Jacqueline Kennedy, who was still wearing the blood stained overcoat from the motorcade as he was being sworn in… The look in her eyes haunts me to this day. Something about reading that article made me wonder “What if?” It was really in that moment that I decided I was going to make this film, one way or another. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Making the film was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I feel like I swam through the nebulous recesses of my subconscious: submerged in a battle between the mythical gods, demons and doppelgängers of my imagination, confronted with and by the vengeful spirit of my own soul; often paralyzed by the uncertainty of knowing whose side I was on. I wish I could put it more simply, or less insanely, but it is the best description I can give at this moment. There were times when I wanted to destroy the film and others when I felt that it was the most beautiful thing imaginable. I hope that others might find some of that when they watch.
Can you talk about your process? How big is your production team, problems you encountered etc.?
The 73 page screenplay was shot in eight days on a $20k budget with a crew mostly made up of students, interns, and friends. I had to lie to some of the financiers and even the crew because they wouldn’t believe me when I told them we were shooting a feature film on an eight day shoot. I would just tell them it was a short film and that was that.
The tight schedule made it nearly impossible to get all the necessary coverage. At one point, I had to take on the role of stunt double, climbing a three story house without a harness in the middle of the night, just to get one shot. For the train sequence, we bought seven tickets and snuck the actors, some of the crew and the equipment onto a train. Luckily, we chose a time of day when there wouldn’t be too many passengers. Shooting without a tripod meant for a bumpy ride, but at least we didn’t need any permits.
There were a couple of times when the schedule meant that we could only shoot one or two takes and that was it: no coverage, nothing. Amazingly, in both of those instances the actors nailed it. I wouldn’t recommend shooting on such a tight schedule to anyone, but it certainly helped me learn to trust my actors.
What are your hopes for the film? Was it submitted to any film festivals?
I recently submitted the film to a few festivals and I hope that it can find a larger audience. I’d love to see it on the big screen. Maybe it will even give me the chance to develop a few more projects too.
Do you have any projects that you are currently working on?
I have some stories I would like to develop into films or series. I’ve always felt like the ending to the film would be a great beginning to a longer narrative, uncovering the mystery…
Do you have any advice for aspiring indie filmmakers?
That’s a big question and it’s tough to find an answer that’s succinct and inspiring. I suppose it would boil down to belief and faith in oneself. I know it sounds trite but to me all the other stuff is very personal and specific to the situation.
Toughest question – what is your favorite movie(s)?
In no particular order:
Apocalypse Now
Blade Runner
Pulp Fiction
Spirited Away
Andrei Rublev
L’Armée Des Ombres (Army of Shadows)
Best in Show
Nuits et Brouillard (Night and Fog)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
Under The Skin
In The Name of The Father
Star Wars: A New Hope
From Russia With Love
Hunger
Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cléo from 5 to 7)
The Act of Killing
The 5th Element
Dr Strangelove
Die Hard
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Punch Drunk Love
Kes
Memories of a Murder
