Wheelchair and the Trap is a short crime thriller written and directed by Bilal Hussain, an emerging filmmaker based in Denmark. Hussain has six short films under his belt, to go alongside acting performances in three independent projects. Wheelchair and the Trap is gaining recognition around the festival circuits having won Best Crime fiction in Rome International Movie Awards and the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival.
The film follows the sad fate of a secret services agent who is paralysed in a set-up by her corrupt partner in investigations. It is a story of resilience, healing, and revenge as the protagonist Michelle sets out to take back her life and seeks revenge from the hands of her disloyal partner. Perhaps one of the hardest feats of the film is shortening a genre that seems very difficult to fit into a short format, crime thrillers. Often, lengthy exposition and detailed plots are needed to set up twists and turns of the plot and build suspense. Hussain is able to accomplish all these with a run-time of approximately 19 minutes.
Hussain chats with Universal Cinema Magazine, regarding his journey and process in the making of Wheelchair and the Trap.
Darida Rose, Universal Cinema Magazine (UM): There seem to be several themes at play here. One is resilience. Can you please expand on this theme and what it means to you with respect to this film?
Bilal Hussain: In my crime-dramas, I always have two – three elements to make the film more interesting. In this short film “The Wheelchair And The Trap” I wanted to show a strong character like Michelle Pedersen played by Theresa Søvig Poulsen who doesn’t give up to easily. Not to give much away to the audience who haven’t seen the film yet, in the start we see Michelle working alone and she is very independent. I have a rare genetic disease (AAA Syndrome) which means I am not physically strong and I also use a wheelchair when I have to travel for a long time. I have been threw a lot, because of that I think I am very strong in my mind. I mean, I never give up to easily and I do more than I have to. I wanted to be a policeman but that will never happen. People who know me at work, my friends & family always tell me to relax and watch out for my health but I have a very hard time relaxing.
UM: There is an interesting plot twist when we find out Michelle’s mother was also a covert agent for the secret services. Can you please expand on the significance of this twist, and how it impacts the film in more ways than one?
Bilal Hussain: Good point there. When I was writing the synopsis and the screenplay, I had lot of ideas on the subject. I came up with the idea, that the relationship between the mother and daughter shall start off badly. It needed that twist of why wasn’t the mother there for her daughter when she was a little girl. We can all relate to this, work always comes first and family later. We can also relate to good and bad relationships with our parents. All these emotions are needed in this kind of a story-line. I had a great hospital scene written which is cut out of the screenplay because I couldn’t get permission at the hospital in Esbjerg, Denmark to film the scene after Michelle Pedersen (Theresa Søvig Poulsen) is shot and the mother (Yvonne Andersen) by her side with heavy dialogs and distance between them at first. After analysing the film, myself and talking to a few people from my film network that I could have put more background to the characters life’s. But this is the beauty of filmmaking and our life it’s self that you just learn from your mistakes and do better next time.
UM: One would think one of the most challenging genres for a short film would be a crime thriller. Can you tell us how this was a challenge for you, and how you were able to overcome it?
Bilal Hussain: I have made a few crime-dramas which are bad in terms of story-line and few technical aspects. I have learned from my mistakes and I have researched a lot by watching movies, series, new and old by analysing them. Which I believe has helped in my filmmaking. I have been writing, directing, producing indie short films voluntarily since 2011. and next year (2021) I have ten years anniversary as an indie filmmaker. I and my team didn’t think The Wheelchair And The Trap will do so well because the other films didn’t in the past Overcoming this challenge is great because then I know what I have to work on for the next time to write even a better film.
UM: This is a multi-cultural cast you are working with. Can you familiarize our readers with the cinematic and media atmosphere of Denmark with respect to multi-cultural inclusivity and your personal take on the matter?
Bilal Hussain: I was born in Islamabad, Pakistan then I migrated to Toronto, Canada and few years later as a Pakistani – Canadian citizen I moved to Esbjerg, Denmark with my parents and big sister. Moving to three different countries in three different continents I learned a lot about different cultures and respecting them. I have said this a lot in the few weeks in different interviews, I don’t look at the race, culture, sexuality or color. Everyone from anywhere are welcome in my films.
UM: You are really at the helm in terms of both artistic and technical prowess that is in the film. Can you take us through how you navigated? so many responsibilities and how long it took you to make this film?
Bilal Hussain: All my short films are written, directed and produced voluntarily by myself and it’s hard to find people who want to work for free because there aren’t many films made in Esbjerg where I live. Mostly short films and full-length films are made in the big cities like Odense, Aarhus and the capital of Denmark Copenhagen. The actors are more or less easy to find but when it comes to camera operator, boom etc. then it is hard because people don’t want to travel back and forth many times for free if they live in the three major cities in Denmark. I don’t mind doing “A one-man show”. because when Mr. Jackie Chan started his career; he did everything by himself and he still does. I learned this from him in filmmaking, also by his movies, his interviews and also analysing his films. Now Mr. Jackie Chan is a mega star in China and Hollywood. Right now, I’ll just keep going and see where it leads to.
UM: What are some of the series or films that have inspired you in the making of this film?
Bilal Hussain: Well, honestly. I didn’t watch any films on wheelchair or disability. The story is pure fiction but because I use a wheelchair myself and have a few friends who do as well. Then it just came in mind to write a fictional crime-story on it. I must say I watch a lot of movies and series in my free time but also then I study on the camera angles and directing skills to make myself better.
UM: What does the future hold for you in terms of filmmaking? Any specific projects you have in pre-production or are you thinking about writing about a new theme or concern of yours?
Bilal Hussain: I don’t know because I am not Harry Potter who can see the future by magic in Hogwarts. My goal is to become a full-time writer, director and actor at one-time in life, I’m only 28. years old and this is the first time since 2011. when I started making films that I am getting so much success so it’s hard to say where it will lead. I can tell that; I am finished with my seventh short film Jessica: Del To (Jessica: Part Two) which is the sequel to the first film Jessica (2017) which was selected at three international film festivals and in one which it went to be the finalist. Jessica: Del To (Jessica: Part Two) will have its closed film premier for actor, friends and family in November. 2020 and then it will be off to the festivals. I am in pre-production which the project is in very early stages of my first full-length film Hvor Blev Kærligheden Af. (Where Did The Love Go) which I think will be ready in the start of 2022.
UM: What advice would you have for young filmmakers looking to make their first short film?
Bilal Hussain: Believe in your story, yourself and don’t think about what people will say about your story because you know what you want to tell the world. Also, don’t think about having big cameras and big budget when your starting out as a first-time filmmaker. If you have a camera or in these days a mobile and a story, write, direct and produce the short film or full-length film and send it off to the festivals. Learn from the mistakes in the first project, watch new and old films, analyse them. Create your own vision. Have a lot of energy because a simple scene can take a hole day, so one has to be mentally prepared for the long nights. Most importantly, don’t make films to make money, make films to be heard and have the passion for the cinema. Good luck from the bottom of my hearts to the young upcoming filmmakers who are younger than me.
By: Darida Rose
© 2020. UniversalCinema Mag.