CAUTE
(Dir. Kevin Kelly, short film, 14min, 1080p, DCP, color, sound)
Kevin Kelly presents Caute, an evocative new film employing speculative optics to journey the radical life and philosophy of Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677). Through meticulous research and experimental film techniques, Kelly captures the intimacies of Spinoza’s world, formed by his exile by the Amsterdam Sephardic Jewish community at the age of 23 and his life as a lens grinder for microscopes and telescopes — a chosen profession that informed his philosophical ideas.
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Role: Editor
Film Editor
FAMILY PORTRAIT
(Dir. Lucy Kerr, feature drama, 75 minutes, 4K, DCP, color, sound)
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World Premiere at Locarno Film Festival
My first venture into editing a feature-length fiction film was an immersive journey. Collaborating closely with director Lucy Kerr, we embarked on a seven-month odyssey, progressing from a rough assembly edit to a meticulously polished final film. As time unfolded, the puzzle pieces gradually fell into place, revealing invaluable lessons.
Throughout this process, I honed my skills in discerning moments of excessive exposition, identifying instances of overacting, and rectifying any disruptions to the film's narrative flow. In the end, our efforts bore fruit, as we successfully crafted an atmosphere where time seemed to stand still, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the languid stupor of a scorching summer day, where dreams, reality, and memories intertwined seamlessly.
Moreover, I acquired a profound appreciation for the significance of taking breaks from the editing suite. Stepping away and returning with fresh eyes allowed us to perceive subtle nuances and pinpoint areas where a mere few seconds of adjustment could render the transitions utterly imperceptible, elevating the overall cinematic experience.
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Role: Editor
WEEPING ROCKS
(Dir. Kārlis Bergs, Andrew Siedenburg, feature length doc, 4K, DCP, color, sound) - in production
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The film delves into the world of Professor Art Shapiro, a scientist who has spent the past five decades meticulously tracking butterflies along the same ten trails, amassing the most extensive butterfly dataset on the planet. As Art confronts the limitations of age, the narrative evolves into a poignant exploration of long-term research and the passing on of one's life's work.
This cinematic journey delves deep into the themes of time and change, prompting us to question how we discern genuine transformations. Our journey with this film began approximately four years ago, resulting in the accumulation of 200 hours of footage. The task of distilling this material into a concise 60-90 minute feature presents a formidable challenge, but we remain steadfastly confident in our progress.
Throughout this project, I've learned to artfully balance the poetic with the informative within the narrative, forging a storytelling path that invites viewers to ponder the profound questions at its heart.
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Role: Director, Editor
WATER INTO LAND
(Dir. Kārlis Bergs, Andrew Siedenburg, feature length doc, 4K, DCP, color, sound) - in production
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With the generous backing of the Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment grant, we've been able to fully dedicate ourselves to this film since July 2022. The most significant challenge this film presents is its vast scope. Initially, the idea of creating a documentary about one of New York City's five boroughs, specifically Staten Island, felt like an intimidating undertaking. However, throughout the past 12 months, we've immersed ourselves in the places and people integral to our narrative. We've built connections with community leaders and local businesses that play a vital role in supporting and shaping this community.
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Role: Director, Editor
CRASHING WAVES
(Dir. Lucy Kerr, film and installation, DCP, 18 minutes, color, sound, 2021)
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FIDMarseille 2021 (World Premiere), San Sebastian International Film Festival, Tacoma Film Festival
There is always this paradoxical contrast between the surface of an image, which appears to be in control, and the process which produces it, which inevitably involves some degree of violence. This quote by Edward Said opens this simple and dense film, a manifesto on the complexity of images, in three successive steps.
This film taught me the beauty of conveying a story with minimal visual elements and instead allowing spoken text to ignite the viewer's imagination. It felt bold when director Lucy Kerr proposed using the first five minutes as a black screen accompanied solely by a voice-over. However, once we executed this idea, I witnessed the immense power it held. It let me concentrate on the story itself and really think about each word.
THE THRESHOLD
(Dir. Kārlis Bergs, short doc, 22 minutes, DCP, color, sound, 2020)
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Riga International Film Festival (premiere), Tacoma Film Festival, Black Hills Film Festival
This documentary marks my directorial debut, where I undertook the roles of director, editor, and cinematographer. The journey was nothing short of intense, as I navigated the challenges of capturing footage and crafting the narrative within the tight confines of a mere three-week window during California's Almond pollination season while being stung multiple times by angry bees.
Throughout this process, I honed the skill of simultaneous shooting and editing, a necessity born from the constraints of time. This approach afforded me the ability to identify what was lacking in real-time and make necessary adjustments on the fly.
In this journey, I had the privilege of connecting with individuals who graciously entrusted me with their stories, enriching the documentary's depth and authenticity.
See the full film here
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Role: Director, Editor