"Would you ask a pianist to stop playing the piano?"

At Reveal, we’re finding out more about some of the most talented creatives around the world who deserve recognition and exposure.

What do we love most about independent film? The variety, the innovation, the fresh talent that brings new and legendary films to our screens every day. We may all learn about how to “make a film”, how to do a shot list, how to produce, how to direct, or how to write a screenplay, but what we’ll never know: is how each creative thinks. Where the journey in a filmmakers’ mind starts, where it ends, and where it goes in between. How they start to visualise and tell a story, and how they, and only they, make a film.

Revealing the talent behind the productions isn’t just about telling you who made the films, it’s about finding out about them as people - how they think, and how they feel as filmmakers. They tell the stories, and we enjoy them on the screen. But it’s more than that..

Reveal is about telling the filmmakers’ stories.

The real story…

about them.

As part of emphasising what incredible talent there is out there, we’re profiling upcoming talent in the industry from around the world.

We’re very excited to kick things off, exploring the mind of Paris/ Los Angles based writer and director Hanna Ladoul…

IN CONVERSATION WITH HANNA LADOUL

Hi Hanna, let’s jump straight in with a few questions about how you got into film. Tell me, what inspires you as a filmmaker? 

HL: I’m really inspired by people and people’s lives. How they react in different situations, how they make their choices. I mostly write films about ordinary characters, ordinary heroes who find themselves in situations in which they have to make strong choices.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in becoming a filmmaker? And how did you overcome them?

HL: The biggest challenge is always to find money to make films. I’ve overcome this situation by making a micro budget film ;)

What’s your latest project?

HL: My last film is called We the Coyotes (aka Anywhere With You in the US). Jake and Amanda a young couple just moved to Los Angeles. The first 24h of their new life take them all around the city, bringing them more surprises and frustrations than expected.

Nouse Les Coyotes poster starring Morgan Saylor (Homeland) and McCaul Lombardi (American Honey)

What’s your proudest achievement and why? 

HL: Making this film with a micro budget but with a wonderful cast and crew. Everyone came with the only goal of making the best film possible.

What’s your favourite film festival and why? 

HL: My favorite film festival is Cannes. This is where I met my co-director Marco La Via with whom I’m making all my films. I’m also always amazed with the quality of the films. Compared to other festivals Cannes doesn’t take a lot of films (all selections combined) and I’m always happy with the diversity of the films selected

BTS action on the set of We The Coyotes.

At Reveal we endeavour to create a supportive network for independent filmmakers. How do you think you could you be more supported as an indie filmmaker?

HL: I think mostly by people watching my work. A film exists only if people watch it. 

Who or what inspires you? Where do you draw your inspiration?

HL: I’m inspired by indie filmmakers who make films without money. 

In 2018, only 4% of the top 100 highest grossing films had female directors. Why do you think this is and how do you think we can help to continue to change this?

HL: By having women in high level position in all other fields. 

How do you feel about being a female filmmaker in today’s industry - is this a relevant question to ask?

HL: I think I’m lucky to live today in this society even if there is still a lot of work to do. Female filmmakers owe a lot to former female filmmakers like Agnes Varda for example. 

BTS with co-directors Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul

And for the young people out there just starting out… what advice would you give to young, aspiring filmmakers? 

HL: The most important when you want to be a filmmaker is to make films. Today you can make a film with an iPhone so there is no excuse. Film your family, your friends just train as much as you can, learn how to tell a story. There is no less work in the filmmaking industry than in any other industry. You might not be a director right away but working anywhere in the film industry is a good start.  You can’t really give up if it’s your passion. Would you ask a pianist to stop playing the piano?

How do you get past a ‘writer’s block?’

HL:  Writer’s block doesn’t exist, the only thing that exists is being afraid of writing something bad. You just have to write. Inspiration and good ideas don’t come from the sky but from lots of work.

And finally, what does the filmmaking future hold for Hanna Ladoul?

HL: With Marco La Via we just finished our new script Funny Birds. It’s a dramedy revolving around an intergenerational clash between three women from the same family who reunite in tragic circumstances. A twenty-something, her mother and her grandmother who are utterly opposed yet will have to live together for a year.

Keep your eyes peeled on our instagram @reveal_entertainment for more on Hanna Ladoul and watch this space for more Reveal profiles coming soon.

Written by Arabella Burfitt-Dons, Edited by Kitty Ramsden