Non Finito - Short Film

Tormented by an impending deadline, an unscrupulous playwright seeks answers in an unfinished dream.

SYNOPSIS

Leonardo, a failed middle-aged playwright, aspires to succeed in his profession. In that quest, he plagiarises the synopsis of his naive colleague Alberto in order to get a job as a playwright. However, the writing process is interrupted by a severe creative block. Inspired by a technique created by Salvador Dali, Leonardo's obsessive methodology places him in a limbo between the real and a dreamlike state of consciousness. Neurotic and exhausted, Leonardo has idealized visions of reality that become a premonition and an unhealthy mirror of the truth.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Non Finito is a black comedy that addresses themes such as premonition, the unconscious, the dream, the beyond, limbo and obsession. This film has naturalistic moments that intertwine with dreamlike fragments, which, as the narrative unfolds, infect the realistic notes with their surrealist nature. The technique described by Salvador Dali, used to enhance creativity, and the ideas expressed by Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams (1899), inspired the writing of the script. Directors such as Andrzej Żuławski, Roman Polanski, David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Jacques Rivette, and Luis Buñuel also served as inspiration. However, the search for an ideal balance between the real and the dream, predicts the future of the playwright.

Despite the melancholy and pessimistic connotations conveyed by the moments when Leonardo is isolated at home, the film does not take itself seriously. The absurd element inevitably becomes comical, causing dark humor to permeate this story.

The narrative is limited to the inhospitable and filthy, playwright's apartment, and to the theatre, where his visions play the main role. The contrast between the two spaces will be illustrated through a more sober treatment in the apartment – with characteristically more static and structured scenes – and the preponderant role of colors in the theatre – with more dramatic and dynamic scenes.

Regarding the sound component, it is intended that it play an equally important role to that of the image. Explored during the script writing process, it helps to create an atmosphere of dream and mystery, being a meta diegetic element that emphasizes the notion of premonition and surrealism.

About the author

This film is being developed as a final project for the Degree in Audiovisual Communication, at Escola Superior de Media Artes e Design (ESMAD), taking place between March and June. After its production, the film will be submitted to several film festivals. The team is made up of film students.

Equipa

We consider creating a good atmosphere on set to be most important. We want all people involved to feel inspired and motivated to make this story get off the ground. There is certainly a certain beauty in having all team members working in sync towards the same goal.

Budget and due dates

Since it is an academic project, in the absence of funding we seek to ensure the minimum and essential for the realization of this film. This financial support will serve to achieve the creative intentions of the image, art and production departments. As well as for the remuneration of actors and makeup artist.

Budget

Elenco

Images