Producer Anna Kojevnikov talks with talented young director Ariel Kleiman
Anna Kojevnikov: Where are you in the world at the moment?
Ariel Kleiman: I am currently in Dalston, London. There are a lot of police sirens.
Anna: Are you causing trouble again?
Ari: Kind of, but probably safer not to talk about it
Anna: Has this got anything to do with the script you're writing that's set in Georgia?
Ari: No I'm staying out of trouble. The script is coming along however it is not set in Georgia but rather a mythical land.
Anna: Full of ninja kids?
Ari: Not yet - but maybe that's worth including. It's pretty much a classic tale of redemption starring a pack of cheeky Estonian talking dogs.
Anna: Did you know that Goddard has expressed that he is making a film with talking dogs?
Ari: Really!? Are they Estonian?
Anna: I don't believe so, anyway, you've had a very successful year resulting in Warp Films Australia commissioning you to write a screenplay and you've also been signed to Partizan - has it been everything you've expected it to be?
Ari: It’s definitely been an amazing year. To be honest it's all happened so quickly that it hasn't left much time for reflection... I just heard another siren.
Anna: Well, say this is your chance, is there anything that you would have done differently?
Ari: As with any film I make there are heaps of things that I would have done differently. I find that "what ifs" are way too depressing to think about. That's filmmaking baby.
Anna: I don't think that many people know, but you actually didn't graduate from your bachelor degree. Any tips out there for the budding filmmaking students? And do you think you would have been this successful without the support of an educational institution?
Ari: That is true Anna, thank you. Am I allowed to ask you questions?
Anna: Are you planning on answering that last question with a question?
Ari: Maybe I should answer your question and then create my own question?
Anna: Go for your life.
Ari: Yes, much to the disdain of my parents, I still haven't graduated from VCA. I may have forgotten to hand in a few written assignments....therefore I’m not sure I’m in any position to be giving other people advise. It was however an amazing experience for me - being surrounded by film everyday for three years was totally invigorating. Anna, how have you found your first year out of film school?
Anna: Hard hitting question there, Mr. Kleiman. It’s been quite the whirlwind, really. I knew I was onto a good thing when I first met you at VCA and heard you talking about your script - but it's been something out of this world to have pulled off such an incredible film and reap the benefits. Though, I still feel like I have a lot to learn outside of the realms of film school.
Two more questions for you before I head off to lunch...
Ari: And then while you eat lunch I will sleep.
Anna: You and your girlfriend, Sarah Cyngler (also a producer on Deeper Than Yesterday), work very closely together on most projects, and in fact are co-writing the screenplay for Warp - what do you find are the pros and cons?
Ari: I feel very lucky to be able to work so closely with Sarah. It's all good. I feel if I say otherwise I might get myself into trouble...wait is this off the record?
Anna: Well, I’m just putting it out there but everyone knows that behind every man (great or not) there's an even more fabulous woman!
Ari: I very much agree
Anna: And final question - out of all the festivals you've been to in the world, which have you found your favourite and why?
Ari: I have been very fortunate to attend quite a few festivals this year but my personal favourite had to be Sundance (attended in January 2010 for previous film – Young Love). Maybe because it was the first festival that I attended? It had the best vibe - like the ultimate school camp, where all the other kids are amazing filmmakers. There was something really magical about the combination of snow and films.
Anna: Well, you know what they say - done Cannes, done Sundance... I think it's time for you to do Dungog
Ari: I couldn’t have said it better myself
Anna: Thanks for your time Ari - I know it's late over there... I’ll let you know how the AFIs go!
Ari: Thank you - don't forget about us
Anna: OK... now off the record...
Ari: She's a blood sucker
