‘Caring is Sharing’ is a super short film about a moment shared between neighbours during the pandemic. It’s a simple shot from a view of a basket of vegetable items, roped down to share to the neighbour below Laura’s home. We caught up with Laura D’Asta with an interview on this short film.
Darida Rose, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): I’m guessing this was shot on iPhone, is that correct?
Laura D’Asta (LD): Yes, I shot it on my Iphone X-4K. It was actually the first time I used it to make a film for screenings purposes, and I was initially reticent to that. Then due the circumstances, I decided to embrace it and experiment.
(UM): What were the source of the inspiration and the intent of creating this fun short film?
(LD): The film was inspired by my very first quarantine days when the day before all the borders got shut down, I had no choice but to immediately return to London from Rotterdam where I had been living for work for few months. I was alone in my flat, and one night to see my closest neighbours we started talking from our balconies sharing some food with a bucket. Despite the different nationalities, this gesture connected us by bringing back memories of our respective ancestors’ habits.
The intent was questioning during the pandemic the meaning of care, taking care of others. The film was created few weeks after the very first full lockdown was announced, and when the fear of the other was everywhere. So I wanted to capture a spontaneous gesture between neighbours at a time when it wasn’t possible to neither meet nor touch. So my question was how do we keep on caring for each other, and continue the sense of community previously achieved within my building? How does that evolve in a pandemic so that we don’t loose touch? So the aim was to convey a sense of positivity, kindness in these surreal times.
Besides, seen my film and dance background, I explored the bucket movement and its rope like a choreographic sequence whilst transmitting images of the sky, the duality between the empty windows and sounds like birds and cough.
(UM): Did you plan to turn this recording to a short film for film festivals?
(LD): Yes, I planned it for film festivals and video installations. It was firstly conceived in response to the Centre Vidéo Danse de Bourgogne open call-VidéoHomeDanse.
(UM): What is your view on the pandemic?
(LD): As for the pandemic, there’s so much to talk thoroughly. I mention just a few things here. It isn’t over, we’re still in the middle of it. And we don’t have the large scope, how much it’s impacting on all generations now and in the future. I am, and so do my views, evolving with it. Sadly, it’s unlikely we’ll know the whole truth behind it. Of course, I feel we’re being manipulated…I clearly had the perception of surviving in an apocalyptic pandemic when one day in London in March 2021 I took a walk, the shops windows were frozen in Christmas time, and there was literally no one. Only what I could hear were the buildings sounds and the pigeons. We will see in few months what 2022 unveils.
(UM): How has the pandemic changed your lifestyle?
(LD): It has changed my lifestyle immensely. Like everyone else, I’ve adapted to the constant changes of this new normal including facing more computer screen time which is also not so good for me. It has a huge impact on filmmaking due to the COVID-19 filming protocols. Most of all, I’m European-Italian from Sicily for now still in London, and living here in Brexit and COVID-19 times experiencing the end of freedom of movement, borders issues, that changes your lifestyle. You live day by day, enjoying the moment, equally you feel these invisible walls now between the EU and the UK. It’s been nice to be able to connect digitally, but did we need a pandemic to realise that (skype, zoom and all)?
What it won’t change for me is going to the cinema, theatres and all the various arts spaces. And I wish people will keep going to.
(UM): What are the positive things you got out of this pandemic?
(LD): Particularly during the first lockdown, I enjoyed the stillness and the silence. Prior to the pandemic, I already highly valued the importance of friends and family, healing in nature whilst respecting it. And I’m glad to see that a lot of people are appreciating that more. I will be always grateful to my closest friends with whom we’re supporting each other throughout this journey. Besides, I’m taking more time to take care of my mental health, well-being and reflect upon my career.
(UM): What are the negative things you experienced in this pandemic?
(LD): As self-employed artist financially speaking has been incredibly tough throughout all the lockdowns because of the lack of adequate benefits support. I’m one of those filmmakers who only got the universal credit. Film & TV productions had stopped. Despite being multi-skilled, I was totally jobless. I didn’t give up. Thankfully now things are getting better.
On another level, the lack of touch, not being able to see your loved ones is something that still impacts hugely on everyone.
(UM): Was there much planning involved when shooting this film?
(LD): Yes, there was obviously some film production planning involved. Before shooting, I also enjoyed talking about the script with editor Zeynep Dagli, and sharing some soundtrack thoughts with composer Philippe Lenzini.
There’s a nice moment in the film where my neighbour’s dog comes out and looks up. My neighbours were meant originally to catch the bucket, but they no longer felt comfortable being on camera, I shot anyway. I find these unplanned elements reinforce what we experienced at the time: the nature and animals out vs the human-animals locked in.
(UM): How has your short film been doing in the film festival circuit?
(LD): My ‘little film’, as I call it, has surprisingly had a great response. In North-America, it actually premiered in Toronto at the Moving Image Arts International Short Film Festival. It’s been nominated Best COVID-19 Film at Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift, Best Women Empowerment Short at Austin Art International Film Festival, and Best Experimental Short-Indie Short Fest LA, to name a few. Together with the Vidéhomedanse films, it is streamed on the online platform NumériDanse.TV; the same selection is part of ‘Echo’ a film project which will be at a major French film festival.
(UM): What other film projects do you have lined up next?
(LD): I’m one of the filmmakers of the interactive participatory film ‘Connections-No One is an Island’, main creators filmmaker Suvi Helminen, producer Ulrik Gutkin, a Danish/Finnish/Canadian co-production developed at CPH:DOX Lab where the audience is invited to transcend isolation moving through the emotional stages of the pandemic. ‘Colours of Soul’ is ready for its festivals and installations life as an experimental art dance-film part of my art hybrid project about modern artist Marco Lusini. Finally, after 2 years of lockdowns, l’m keen to explore new collaborations and projects, and am excited to see where they take me.
© 2021. UniversalCinema Mag.