Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Serve No Purpose’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
I've always had a thing for storytelling. I started writing short stories when I was 7, and that’s when my love for creating narratives took off. By 16, I was diving into filmmaking, learning on the go, and also studying for a BA in Arts, focusing on film and broadcasting, from the University of Bedfordshire in the UK.
Before Serve No Purpose, I worked on a bunch of commercial ads. My debut short film, Hello, Obey Me, came when I was 19. It was my first time working with a big crew, using cinema line cameras, and handling post-production in a professional studio. That film got officially selected for four international film festivals in the USA, UK, Italy, and India.
Tell us about ‘Serve No Purpose’. How do you describe it?
Serve No Purpose holds deep personal meaning for me. On a personal level, it reignited my love for storytelling after two years of feeling shattered by life's challenges. On a broader scale, I struggled with feelings of helplessness over the suffering of people in Palestine and Ukraine. This film is my way of raising global awareness about their struggles and showing the hardships they endure. Creating it was emotionally challenging, but I promised my Palestinian and Ukrainian friends that I’d do whatever it took to make this film for them.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
My favourite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky, Terrence Malick, and Akira Kurosawa. I really admire their unique storytelling styles and perspectives—they’ve had a huge influence on how I approach filmmaking.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
If I had a good budget, my dream project would be a feature film about the emotional toll of war on people. I’d dive into personal stories and the struggles of those caught in conflict, aiming to shine a light on their experiences and help people grasp the real human cost of war.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
To keep production on track, I’d stick to thorough planning and clear communication. I’d start with a detailed schedule and set clear milestones. Bringing on an experienced crew and defining everyone's roles would be key. I’d also build in some buffer days for any surprises and focus on getting the key scenes done early. Regular check-ins and quick decisions would help tackle any problems as they come up, keeping everything running smoothly.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Serve No Purpose’.
Directing Anna in Serve No Purpose was definitely the toughest part. She’s Ukrainian and had experienced a lot of real-life suffering due to war events, which made it hard for her to tap into those emotions for the role. But she was incredibly strong and driven to spread the message for people who are struggling. Her resilience and determination were truly inspiring.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
Right now, I'm in the development stage of my first series. It's an exciting new project that I'm really passionate about. Stay tuned—there's a lot more to come!
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