Ask the Director: Martina Trepczyk
Speak from the heart.
Your way into filmmaking was like....
In retrospect inevitable. It started early and with painting and drawing all day, everyday since I can remember and then capturing light on analog film. From the very first money I ever earned, at 15, I bought a Nikon camera that was able to shoot SD – mind-blowing then!
After graduation, I directly went into my Masters degree in filmmaking in London. Finished at age 21. For my dissertation, I filmed fiction and documentary in one of Africa’s largest slums and returned a different person. Haven’t stopped using my art as a tool for empowerment since. Then I was awarded with a scholarship for my practical PhD studies in documentary filmmaking at Roehampton University London but dropped out half way through as I realised I craved getting my hands dirty and preferred standing barefoot filming activist pieces and embodying change and empowerment instead of creating an intellectual thesis about it.
How would you describe your films?
My films are a delicate and fierce love story. Melting together political statements, activism and poetry told in moving image.
What's your process from the idea to the final film? What's your creative process and what tools do you use?
The moment someone pitches a single plot line, a brand, a topic, the core message or introduces me to their song, I see a crystal clear vision. I cannot explain it other than images and feelings pouring into and through me. I know where I want to go, what I want to convey, how to tell it, how to shoot it, how to edit it. Tell me your what, and I give you the how. I create visual moodboards, draw storyboards, write, edit collages, create anything necessary to have something tangible. Then go from there. I prepare myself as well as I possibly can, immerse myself into the topic until the shoot. In the post production, I have a methodic system of how I go through rushes, how I save material, how I label things - again the better the organisation, the more space there is for creativity. When possible, I like to leave some time after shoot and before the edit, to get some distance. I start the edit with the ending and flow back and forth intuitively. Something feels final to me at a point where I can no longer take anything away or add to make it better.
Film comes together in an edit. What is important for a good edit, and how do you get to it?
One of my favourite teachers at Kingston University, Mick Kennedy, bless his heart and rest in peace, said “if you do not have an ending, you don’t have the right beginning of your film” I carry this sentence with me for 10 years now and hear it every single time I edit. And I always, always, always circle back to the question “What is it that I want to convey? What is this really about? What is this at its very core?”.
If you don’t have a final frame, go back and remember what feeling evoke this project for you and ask yourself what should it leave the viewer with.
What else is important for a good edit?
Kill your darlings.
Show don’t tell: actions speak louder than words.
Sometimes off beat is sexy if it’s intentional and skilful.
Most of the times, “less is more” is your winning strategy.
And almost always: your edit is too long.
How do you choose your frames?
I aspire every single frame to look like a painting you could hang up on your wall.
What is important to tell a good story?
Authenticity and Integrity. There is nothing more powerful than a story truthfully told.
It has to come from the heart. You can always tell where it stems from.
What do you think is more important content or media? Does media shape content?
Definitely. I believe media shapes content or more accurately the way we tell content. Form does follow function. However, the beauty of our digital age is that nowadays almost everything is allowed.
What's the power of a commercial to Politics and Sustainability?
I think the time of simple commercials has thankfully come to an end. I love to see that more and more brands are willing to stand up for something they believe in. Of course, flip side of the coin is the unbelievable amount of green washing or femme or eco washing (*insert any word here) - polishing up one’s image without substantial actions or integrity. That’s disgusting and there are millions of these traps out there. In my opinion, politics, art, economy, nature, diversity and the environment are dependant on and not separated from each other. However, we’re used to isolating everything and not seeing the bigger picture, the codependence, the symbiosis, the oneness of it all - the impact one product has on the rest of the world. I think it’s about damn time to carry accountability for our actions in every single way.
The film industry is mainly dominated by men. How can women find their spot?
Daring to take up space.
It’s not like talented women do not exist - we’re everywhere. It’s just that we have to fight harder to be seen, recognised, heard, paid, valued and allowed to lead. I don’t think the following is only restricted to our film industry: but there’s nothing more dangerous in our patriarchal culture than a woman who knows exactly what she wants and is not scared to ask for it.
Our patriarchal society has been diminishing us women, indigenous women, black women and other marginalised groups for centuries in every way possible. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. And I’m fucking tired of this narrative. It’s the kind of 24/7 tired that doesn’t ever go away no matter how much you sleep.
Have you asked male interviewees the same question?
What’s your view on impact vs. budget?
The tiniest, zero budget production can change everything just as a million dollar production can be nothing but hot air. I think it’s intention and integrity that determines the real impact, not the money per se. At the same time we cannot underestimate the influence our every day spendings have. Every time money is spent, energy flows creating the world we want to live in. A topic that is too complex to be squeezed into a short answer.
Tips for aspiring filmmakers?
Speak from the heart and let the world rearrange itself.
Don’t try to chase what’s trendy or cool or even contemporary - create your own language instead. Pour your soul, sweat and tears into it. It will show.
Favourite films?
Aye too many. Here’s a colourful bunch:
Wadjda
(2010, Haifaa Al Mansour) It was the first feature film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia — and it also happened to be written and directed by a woman. She’s just something else. Because of restrictions placed on women in Saudi Arabia, director Haifaa Al Mansour was not allowed to interact with her mostly male crew. She had to direct the street scenes from a nearby van, watching through a monitor and giving instructions via walkie-talkie. If I remember correctly her film had impact on girls being able to then ride bikes – albeit clothed head-to-toe, accompanied by a male guardian, in restricted areas and for recreation only. It would be interesting to find out how much has changed since.
Sharkwater
(2007, Rob Stewart) Since the release of this film more than 100 countries have banned shark finning because of Rob Stewart, his tireless work and this documentary. What an incredible legacy.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven
(2020) Literally anything Aaron Sorkin writes is next level fantastic. This though is in my opinion his best work. A compelling, intelligent and incredibly witty film based on
on
real events shining a light on the power play of politics and that when a few who are brave enough stand up for what they believe in, the entire trajectory of a nation changes.
Spirit animal?
Orcas. One day I’ll meet them.
Cool instagram accounts?
They are as diverse as my taste in films. I draw inspiration from everything and anything. I’m not sure if they are cool though - I prefer warm-hearted or burning hot. @sharkgirlmadison nat-geo award winner, filmmaker and activist fighting for sharks - the love of her life. @africabrooke a real powerhouse. mindset coach & consultant, her IG lives, posts and podcasts blow my mind. Deeply transformative. @earthrise.studio communicating climate crisis related topics. @projecthiu (I’m part of) fighting vicious cycle of exploitation of humans and by extension conservation of sharks @climatesaustria (I’m part of) aiming for youth empowerment in climate action @odeanddiefreude a mix of political and poetic, boundary pushing feminist art. @janayathefuture Janaya Future Khan, public future, incredible and so deeply thoughtful IG lives. @birjiwan_ teacher of kundalini yoga and tao tantra feminine arts. @thebrookesolis “creativity, sex + revolt” poetry. @ebinumbrothers two Nigerian brothers expressing themselves through contemporary dance.
© Stills und Fotos: Martina Trepczyk, Sabine Reiter und Danny Nieves
