Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- "Shooting on 35mm film adds magic and focus." Santi Pujol Amat shares how the choice of 35mm film heightened the team's focus, adding a unique atmosphere to the filmmaking process.
- "Non-professional actors bring authenticity." The decision to cast non-actors was crucial in capturing the rawness and truth of the story, despite advice to the contrary.
- "Collaboration shapes the story." The film's strength lies in its collaborative nature, where improvised performances and editor Celeste Barria’s perspective led to crucial story developments.
In an inspiring leap from cinematography to directing, Santi Pujol Amat, alongside Fran Moreno Blanco, helms Rage, a poignant film about adolescent estrangement.
Premiering at this year's HollyShorts Film Festival, Rage is a testament to the power of non-professional actors and the authenticity they bring.
The production team features producer Noor Husheri, editor Celeste Barria, and sound designer Jimmy Solórzano, among others, with all contributing to this deeply collaborative project.
Your journey into filmmaking with Rage is quite unique. What drew you to this story?
It’s our first time writing and directing after working for years as cinematographers. We wanted to take on a story that felt close and truthful. A big part of the process was finding and working with non-actors who had lived experiences similar to what we were trying to tell. That shaped the film from the beginning.
What were some surprises during production?
Shooting on 35mm was a risk, but it worked surprisingly well. We were worried about running out of stock, especially working with non-actors, but it turned out the first takes were usually the best; the rawness and honesty were strongest at the beginning. Working with Celeste, our editor, was also a key part of the process. She respected our vision but brought an outside perspective that helped shape the film. Her input led us to cut certain scenes and eventually shoot a new one for the ending, which really pulled everything together.
"Shooting on 35mm was a risk, but it worked surprisingly well."
What was the hardest decision you made?
The hardest creative decision was committing fully to working with non-professional actors. We were advised several times (especially since it was our first time directing) to rely mostly on professional actors and maybe include just one lead non-actor. But we were clear from the start that we wanted a full cast of non-actors to capture the rawness and authenticity we were after.
What do you hope audiences take away from Rage?
We hope audiences connect with the film on a human level. The feeling of being left out is especially poignant during adolescence, but it’s something that resonates at every stage of life and feels very relevant today.
"The feeling of being left out is especially poignant during adolescence."
How has making Rage influenced your future projects?
More than the film itself, it was the creative process that shaped us. We want to have more flexibility and spend more time building relationships with the cast beforehand, allowing their personal stories to inform the project. Next time, we want to start by finding the people and places first, then build the story around them.
What does being selected for HollyShorts mean to you?
It means a lot to us, especially since this is our first short film. We’re truly honored to have the chance to share it with an international audience.
"Independent filmmaking is essential for representing what’s happening in society today, especially through the voices of young creators."
Main Cast and Crew
- Cast: Eric Espin, Valli Asunción, Jordi Adonay Ramírez, Raquel Iglesias, Jordi Ramírez, Erik Suau (first-time actors)
- Production Design: Daen Alvarado
- Makeup and SFX: Marta Caudet
- Costume Design: Aina Callejón
Watch the official trailer of Rage
