by Kyna Morgan
Lovelorn and lonely Benjamin lives on the blurry borderline between fantasy and reality.
Lovelorn and lonely Benjamin lives on the blurry borderline between fantasy and reality.
Congratulations on having your film, Benjamin's Flowers accepted for the Sundance Film Festival Shorts Program! How has your experience been at the festival so far?
Thank you! I've had a great time so far and I've finally snapped out of my jetlag. Lots to do and lots to see, trying to get a good mix of films, events, parties and networking. I've met a lot of really interesting people and hopefully we will keep in touch. It's been really intense and I suspect it's not all going to sink in until I get back home. I'm definitely aiming to come back.
WATCH the teaser now:
Thank you! I've had a great time so far and I've finally snapped out of my jetlag. Lots to do and lots to see, trying to get a good mix of films, events, parties and networking. I've met a lot of really interesting people and hopefully we will keep in touch. It's been really intense and I suspect it's not all going to sink in until I get back home. I'm definitely aiming to come back.
WATCH the teaser now:
What is it about the nature of reality and perception that interested you enough to make this film?
Everybody makes and defines their own reality. We might agree on what to call reality in part, but nobody perceives and interprets the world in the exact same way as you. In order to come to a somewhat close agreement on what's real and what's not, people need to interact of course. It is interesting to me to see what happens when people have a little too much alone-time. I have always been fascinated by people that create a reality that remarkably deviates from the rest.
Everybody makes and defines their own reality. We might agree on what to call reality in part, but nobody perceives and interprets the world in the exact same way as you. In order to come to a somewhat close agreement on what's real and what's not, people need to interact of course. It is interesting to me to see what happens when people have a little too much alone-time. I have always been fascinated by people that create a reality that remarkably deviates from the rest.
You've screened the film at various festivals in Europe, where you've also had luck in terms of awards nominations. What are your plans for Benjamin's Flowers, and what are you working on next?
When I come home from Sundance, the film will be part of a jury-selected exhibition called The Spring Salon (Vårsalongen) at Liljevalchs Art Gallery in Stockholm, an annual exhibition which marks the beginning of the art year in Sweden. It has also been accepted to several up-coming festivals and since the film is only three months old, I hope that this is only the beginning!
I am working on an new short animated film, currently called Hand Show. It is based on a choreography I saw in a show a few months ago. The film shows how culture know-it-alls, tired party animals and no-clue friends of the artists amongst others, all go to see a dance show that ends up being quite unusual and far from what they expected.
When I come home from Sundance, the film will be part of a jury-selected exhibition called The Spring Salon (Vårsalongen) at Liljevalchs Art Gallery in Stockholm, an annual exhibition which marks the beginning of the art year in Sweden. It has also been accepted to several up-coming festivals and since the film is only three months old, I hope that this is only the beginning!
I am working on an new short animated film, currently called Hand Show. It is based on a choreography I saw in a show a few months ago. The film shows how culture know-it-alls, tired party animals and no-clue friends of the artists amongst others, all go to see a dance show that ends up being quite unusual and far from what they expected.
Malin's film screened on January 19, 21 and 23, and will screen again on January 26 in Park City as part of the Animation Spotlight. Read more about her film and see the screening schedule in the Sundance Festival Program.
About the filmmaker
Malin Erixon is founder of Ganzanderes Illustration & Animation, for which she does contracted and independent film productions. Her films have screened at film festivals all over the world and have received numerous awards. In
addition to Benjamin’s Flowers, they include En Kålmasks äventyr (A Cabbageworm’s Adventure, 2004) and Death by Heart (2005).
Malin Erixon is founder of Ganzanderes Illustration & Animation, for which she does contracted and independent film productions. Her films have screened at film festivals all over the world and have received numerous awards. In
addition to Benjamin’s Flowers, they include En Kålmasks äventyr (A Cabbageworm’s Adventure, 2004) and Death by Heart (2005).