The Spark
This is an experimental dramatic feature film
Stephen Shellenberger's beautiful eerie film about a man whose life is suddenly changed and he finds himself falling down the rabbit hole.
A man, a photographer, had been in love with a girl years before, while they were living in Paris. He thinks he sees her in a park and his life is never the same after. A Kafkaesque journey down the rabbit hole of advanced surveillance and mind games.
Author/Director’s Statement
I wanted to make an original film, in a way that hadn't been explored before.I started with a skeletal framework about a man who finds himself under deep state surveillance or so he thinks. I tried not to give too much away and keep the viewers in a state of uncertainty.
Scenes often were written based on who I met that day and if I felt they could fit into the story. I would meet with them the next day and we would rehearse briefly them shoot the scene. The film had a life of it's own and I wanted that, I wanted the film to be very organic, not canned. I used many non actors for that reason. I find people, with their natural traits amazing, often better than an actor 'pretending'. My cinematographer and editor are incredible and they too respected the approach that the film have a life of it's own and that the film is our partner in this type of process.. i don't believe in over-directing (some actors hate me for that) and I prefer leaving mistakes in that work, to polishing it and cooking all the juices out of the stew.
The entire script existed in my brain, locked away in a secret compartment, haha!!.Seriously though, this film was difficult as our script meanders and scenes were written on the fly. All of these elements however fed the story, a story without an end or a perfect resolution. It is the antithesis of a Hollywood film. Nothing is wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end and yes, challenging as hell, but I wanted that.
Serendipity played a role. Stephen met a brilliant young filmmaker, cinematographer and musician who lived next door to his loft. Yes, actually on the other side of a shared wall. They would discuss the film 'through the wall' and that became the genesis or the seed that evolved into a spontaneous film project. Shellenberger wanted to make a film he self financed from art sales and he was excited about the idea of making a film with no script. That's right, no script! Of course scenes were written, sometimes literally the day of shooting, but he ambitiously fought the urge to format the film too much. This experiment matches the confusion of what the film represents.
This world of targeting is a mind bender beyond belief. Shellenberger should know because over 20 years ago, he too fell down this rabbit hole. “It is a world where very little makes sense and you are constantly fighting to understand why you are being surveillanced or followed, time seems to stand still then; a phone call, a death threat and it takes off in another direction”.
Stephen is a well respected short filmmaker, always insisting on financing the projects himself to maintain his vision. As an activist he is fearless in his approach to exposing the corruption and the lies by the oligarchs that we are (by mainstream media) told to follow.
The truth shall set you free!!
As a visual artist(painter) he is well established and belongs in many collections both private and corporate and has had solo art shows around the world.
www.stephenshellenberger.com
Status for The Spark
- The film is completed.
It was initially screened at the Festival du nouveau cinéma in Montreal, where it did very well and the festival director and founder, Claude Chamberlan described it as a completely new and original film, an art film without boundaries.
After screening it there (we had rushed to complete it on time) we still made some adjustments editing wise and did some additional color correction.
Distribution & Marketing
Trashtown Studios
519 858 8059
As of the end of 2017 I feel we have the film I had dreamed of making. Lack of money and always battling financial set backs has proven to be a gift. I think of Jim Jarmusch s first film, 'Stranger Than Paradise' and the fact that he couldn't afford to shoot close ups hence the entire film is shot in masters, or wide shots. Also it was ends of black and white reels given to him by Wim Wenders. All these 'problems' made the film what it is.
"Excellent performances! Great cinematography. Visually gorgeous and spellbinding throughout. Stephen Shellenberger's taut acting is beautifully balanced by ...... as "Sophie," a very likable and believable femme fatale. There is just the right amount of mystery and chemistry, and the whole look and feel of the film is outstanding. It's Montreal as I have never seen it shot before -- the street scenes are like a mural of dystopia. An amazing achievement by a gifted crew of non-actors, held together by Shellenberger's brilliant directing."
Review by Ann Diamond, 2017
