E12 • The Importance of Not Knowing • PAOLO TIZÓN , dir. of ‘Night Has Come’, Special Jury Award + FIPRESCI Winner at KVIFF

This episode features Paolo Tizón and his documentary “Night Has Come”, which just won the Special Jury Award and the FIPRESCI (Critic) Award at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. His main inspiration for the film: ‘Beau Travail’ (1999) by Claire Denis.

We discuss cinematic techniques used in documentaries, the importance of not knowing and being open to surprises while filming - how to listen to the material, editing and structuring a documentary, and the personal motivations behind making his film. We also touch on the connection between music and cinema, the importance of taking breaks during editing, and the value of test screenings. 

Paolo discusses the stress and excitement of delivering and premiering ‘Night Has Come’, and shares his strong love for the medium of film.

Short Ends

• Getting into film festivals can exceed expectations and open doors to bigger opportunities.
• Using cinematic techniques in documentaries can create a more engaging and immersive experience for the audience.
• Not knowing and being open to surprises while filming is an important part of documentary filmmaking.
• Editing and structuring a documentary can be a challenging task, but it is crucial to listen to the material and let it guide the process.
• Personal motivations and curiosity can drive the creation of a documentary film.
• There is a strong connection between music and cinema, and pairing music with images can enhance the storytelling. Taking breaks during the editing process allows for fresh eyes and new perspectives.
• Test screenings are crucial for understanding audience reactions and making necessary changes.
• Directing and shooting the film as a cinematographer can create a unique and personal connection to the material.
• Delivering a film can be a stressful and often overlooked aspect of the filmmaking process.
• Premiering a film at a festival is a mix of excitement and pressure to make the most of the experience.
• Drawing inspiration from other films can inform and shape the creative choices in a documentary.
• The filmmaker's next project involves experimenting with fiction and challenging themselves with different formats and cameras.
• Filmmaking is a deeply engaging and fulfilling art form that allows for personal growth and connection with others.

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