Shadows of Desire: An Interview with Camila Susin (Writer and Creator)

Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Shadows of Desire’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?

I started studying acting, because in true, I am an actress. It’s my main formation in arts. But the thing is that I love movies and cinema, so I started working on the backstage of a cinema art class, that was supposed to train actors. I did the staff part. I learned about the history of cinema, about production and what makes a movie real art, not only an ordinary movie. At the same time, I wasn’t being able to get a job as an actress, so I realized that I could give myself a job if I did a movie by myself. And then I started putting some ideas on the paper, did a script workshop and did my first short film script: Shadows of Desire.

Tell us about ‘Shadows of Desire’. How do you describe it? 

It’s a very personal moment of my life that became like an idea of a movie. It’s a fantasy film, that is supposed to go inside the head and feelings of the character. It’s the character’s internal world put on the screen. It’s about the desire to be with someone in contrast to the fear of giving yourself in a romantic relationship. Everything is about contrast, also the aspects of a church and a party were used as symbols to heaven and hell, light and shadow. Also, the colors and cinematography used perfectly by director Lucio Luna brought this dream and fantasy atmosphere.

Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

For sure Tarkovsky uses time and how we feel we are in meditation watching his movies. Wong Kar Wai, I love the way he put emphasis on the little ‘things’, as a little face movement of an actor and how it brings intimacy to the screen, it’s about details.

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

Well, I created a project for a feature film from the short film Shadows of Desire. During my preparation and recordings, more glimpses began to emerge about my character and Marcéu's character, about the history of this couple, how they met and what the relationship between them was like. People who watched the short were also curious to know and asked me for this project! The feature will be in the same language as the short, going deeper into the couple's trajectory and bringing more of the elements already used: the representation of heaven and hell, shadow and light, man and woman. I imagine that the human/earthly environment will continue to mix with the symbolic elements to tell more of the characters' story.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

I already have the script for the feature film practically ready and the short film already produced (Shadows of Desire) will serve as a proof of concept for sponsors to approach and get to know the idea of the feature film.

What was the hardest part of making ‘Shadows of Desire’.

It was not a difficult project, but a challenger project! I think the most because it was my first one, and at the same time I was the actress, I was also the writer. Specially the script took me a lot of time and I needed help. I started writing at a workshop of a writer called Thiago Aiache here is Brazil, and when the workshop got finished, I started doing some online meetings with Carl Ford from the Susan Batson Studio in New York, who was my actor trainer for this work. I had the luck of having a great team with me that made it very professional at the set!

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

I have a series about a Gypsy girl, she is separated from the gypsy clan and she reads fortune to make money. She is a Gypsy who faces two crises. One loving because she is torn between two loves and the other existential: ‘does she really have the talent as a clairvoyant or is it a deception?’ I already do this character in my Instagram page, and I have a whole first season written. I am already in the pre-production of this work! At the same time, I wrote another short film. I might write a trilogy of shorts, and this is the second one! It goes in the same way of Shadows, it’s also about a man and a woman, but now they wonder about death and life. For this short I am looking for sponsorship! I am very happy with my news projects actually!