This ScreenWork entry is the trailer for the short film NIMIC, the newest project from director Yorgos Lanthimos (whose feature credits include The Favourite, The Lobster, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer). The 12-minute short, Droga5 London’s first work for MINI, made its world premiere on August 9 at the Locarno Film Festival.
Lanthimos wrote the short with longtime collaborator Efthymis Filippou. Featuring actors Matt Dillon and Daphne Patakia, NIMIC tells the story of a professional cellist and an encounter he has on the subway which has unexpected and far-reaching ramifications on his life. Living in Lanthimos’ unique cinematic universe, the film asks questions about identity, perception, relationships and circularity.
Lanthimos said of the film, “I was glad to be given the opportunity to work on a shorter format that can be sometimes challenging but quite rewarding. We developed a script starting from a very intriguing initial idea and concept, and enjoyed great creative freedom during the realization of the film. It is always very exciting to be invited to think outside the box and wrestle with stimulating ideas.”
NIMIC was produced by Rekorder Berlin, Superprime Films and Merman London in association with creative agency Droga5 London. Salaud Morisset handles international distribution for NIMIC.
Based on an idea from David Kolbusz, chief creative officer of Droga5 London, NIMIC was made in partnership with MINI as part of its ongoing commitment to celebrate the power of creativity.
CreditsClient MINI Production A Rekorder/Superprime/Merman/Droga5 production Yorgos Lanthimos, director/writer; Efthymis Filippou, writer; David Kolbusz, based on his idea; Adam Saward, producer; Werner Klemm, Alexis Delanque, Jaco Wilkinson, Rebecca Skinner, Michelle Ross, Dan Dickenson, Siobhan Murphy, Chris Watling, Rebecca Lewis, exec producers; Diego Garcia, DP; Jennifer Johnson, costume designer; Daniela Schneider, production designer; Dixie Chassay, casting. Editorial Trim Dominic Leung, Yorgos Mavropsaridis, ACE, editors; Polly Kemp, producer. VFX Untold Stories Alex Gabucci, VFX supervisor; George Rockliffe, VFX artist; Anthony McCaffery, head of production; Ian Berry, exec producer. Postproduction Goldcrest Robert Pizzey, colorist. Audio Wave Johnnie Burn, sound designer/re-recording mixer; Simon Carroll, sound effects editor; Rebecca Boswell, producer. Music Agency Sixtyfour Music Joe Rice, music supervisor.
Filmmaker Natalie Johns Creates Spec Gun Violence Prevention PSA
Her social media feed is filled with frustration and “prayers” for families torn apart by yet another mass shooting as filmmaker Natalie Johns is engaged in the morning ritual of negotiating school attendance with her 4½-year-old. Between laughing and arguing with their daughter, the Johns think deeply about the prospect of waking up without her--deeply enough to feel an inch of what it might be like to lose her--a feeling profound enough inspire her most personal commitment to date as a filmmaker.
“Gun violence should not be a normalized part of life in America,” she noted. “I felt it was worth putting my whole heart on the line to deliver this message.”
The director invited her long-time collaborator and cinematographer, Bill Kirstein (Mean Girls, Happyend), to capture their family’s experience over several mornings in a spec PSA. She wanted to capture her own joy and truth as a parent with a view to inspiring action from the deepest love she has known.
On the third day of filming, Johns received an email from their daughter’s preschool notifying parents of a lockdown that had occurred due to a gunman outside the school. The children, aged 2-5, were gathered in a small bathroom for an hour, singing songs with their teachers while the man was apprehended by law enforcement. This was the family’s first narrow escape from tragedy.
“The coincidence of filming this PSA and experiencing my family’s first lockdown was both shocking and surreal. I simply could not wrap my head around it,” said director Johns.
Even more terrifying for Johns was discussing the incident with other parents who had already experienced several lockdowns with their older children. This reality is all too common and far too... Read More