F I L M KITA

Originally hails from Sungai Buloh, a sub-district in the state of Selangor, Mathana Mohan is best known for his latest short film project, "Carlina" which received over 7,340 views on YouTube, as of 25th October 2014. The same short film was also ranked #68 in the Most Viral 100 Malaysian Short Films Year 2014 by FlashMag, a local magazine targeted for film fans, in November. Mathana Mohan speaks to FilmKita to discuss his experience.

 

 

 

 

My dad and I are really close, especially when I was a kid. He would tell me stories of how cinematic experience was a luxury in the past and we would together watched old movies, even the black and white ones! It intrigues me how can a beautiful imaginary vision been brought into the screen and I was curious to know who are the people working behind the screen in which the beautiful stories were told. I guess that is how my passion in filmmaking is ignited. I finally get to experience hands-on film making in college, and it's really fascinating!

 

 

 

 

 

It was overall the whole team's idea. We wanted to make a short film that utilises an overused theme, with a rather different execution. Considering the fact that baby dumping was a huge thing back then, we decided to use that and turns it into a unique concept in which the storytelling process were more neutral, while still maintaining the positive message in it instead of the typical plots and "lesson learnt" ending cliches. Life is more than just a simple "I drink , get pregnant and refuse to keep my baby because I am irresponsible", it does not work that way, and the audience are not attracted to that. Our short film unravels more grey areas in a teenage life, than just the typical stereotypes.

 

 

 

 

 

The style of films I have worked on fall under the genre of comedy, drama , romance, and action which are always ensured to give a benevolent message to my targeted audience.  I am not restricted to any genre or style, as I enjoy experimenting around. And it will also not be fair for me to exclude an opportunity to visualise an incredible story just because I don't normally do it, although I personally prefer a short film that is pretty much like a silent movie with a mysterious vibe to it, a project which we are working on right now. 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution is definitely a struggle. To accept or not to accept a distribution deal is one thing. The market is oversaturated with content and I refuse to let go a part of the ownership just to let my work be one of the thousands films that are forgotten by the audience. I think it is more important to gather a fan base online first rather than jumping into the mainstream scene and ended up being unnoticed. For now, distribution deal is not an option for me. 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned we are currently working on a new project, a slight combination of an old silent movie and a vibe of mystery. Fans will be surprised! We hope it will! It is planned to be released online by mid next year.