A SWEET ESCAPE
Image: Liam Patrick (@liam___patrick)
Western Sydney filmmaker Herbert Leota premiere’s his latest project this weekend at the Magnify Shorts Film Festival. At times when we struggle in life we find ourselves at a crossroad not knowing how to express or cope with our emotions. Herbert explores positive messages in his short film and provide Art Therapy as a way to process and release anxiety. This week The Western had the amazing opportunity to interview Herbert so here we are, hope you get inspired by his story.
When did you start falling in love with film?
I think I’ve always liked films growing up but reading it as text and deconstructing it would’ve only started in year 9-10 of high school. Even then, I was more into graphic novels but slowly film took up more of my time and here I am today.
Who has played a huge influence in your life?
My parents first and foremost moulded my foundation and environment I grew up in. Without them I wouldn’t be in this country, with as many opportunities as I have now. They’ve always put my education first and have pushed me from the start to strive and prosper in whatever field I set foot on.
In high school, I had a group of teachers who saw and nurtured my passion for creativity - particularly the english department at Parramatta Marist at the time. Mrs D’Souza and Mr Horsburgh stand out to me as people who went beyond to connect with me and guide me toward film and all good literature.
I’ve been lucky to have these mentors in my formative years and I think of them when I lose sight of things sometimes. I hope to be a teacher one day.
What films have influenced your creative direction?
Honestly, I try to steal from everything these days. Whether it’s visual ideas, writing techniques or editing choices, I’ll steal it or stock it in the back of my mind to use later.
Great directors like Nicholas Winding Refn, P.T.A., Villeneuve, Bong Joon-ho...a whole big list of names come to mind. I watch mostly anime to be honest and I definitely steal from animation too. It’s not just film and TV I steal from, I consume comics, love fine art, memes, youtube etc…
...and I take it all in and make it mine.
What can you tell us about your new project?
I was testing out if I could do something different to the crime-drama stuff I typically like to do. It’s Hero Week at Dustin’s school and it’s his turn to present and through that frame we get to know this local graffiti tagger, Merc.
Image: Liam Patrick (@liam___patrick)
I was really lucky to be given this opportunity by Blacktown Arts because it allowed me to collaborate with my friends and I couldn’t have done it without them. The two lead actors (Ziyan Ali and Pola Fanous) vibed well I think and the performances were better for it.
And of course proud to be showing off the city of Blacktown as our backdrop.
What themes does it explore?
Art as medicine, an escape…
Choosing positivity…
Graffiti as a form of communication…
Having Pola on the team and having access to his poetry also helped envelope the film in this idea of a person finding their thing in life and choosing to break out of the cocoon which their circumstances lie and rise above them.
He also gave me the idea to call the short Concrete Roses.
What film techniques did you use to portray your message?
I have a nice montage to cap the film off. I think it’s a nice ending showing the character of Merc essentially free, doing his thing, and leaving behind his message wherever he goes.
How do you manage to stay creative?
I surround myself with interesting people: film makers, musicians, actors… anyone really, as long as they’re cool and good to chat with.
I watch a lot, but also have been writing and illustration pre-film fanaticism so I also try to make other forms of art. Every Tuesday at my place is rap night, so yeah - trying everything out and going hard.
What are some challenges you have faced?
Leaving home and trying to find my feet was challenging but having now settled in with my friends in Rozelle has been a good stabiliser for me.
Having a good environment with people you love makes a world of difference but I’m also appreciative of the people who helped me get to where I am. The past year has been interesting and in many ways life-changing.
All I am left with is the feeling of gratitude.
I look forward to the challenges that come.
What advice would you give others in film?
Be honest, know your shit and have fun.
If you wanna check out Herbert’s latest project ‘Concrete Roses’ it will be screening this Saturday at Magnify Blacktown Shorts Film Festival! Bookings are essential, you can book your tickets here!
Support your local! Follow Herbert’s journey on Instagram!
