BFI Flare 2020: Nichola Wong
We spoke with Nichola Wong about her film The Passing, which was due to screen at the since cancelled 2020 BFI Flare Festival this year, despite this cancellation we still wanted to share our interview. Read about the inspiration behind her film, her influence from Wong Kar Wai and filming in a mortuary.
How did you find your way into filmmaking?
Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, I didn’t watch a lot of film or TV, I did however write a lot of poetry and was really into painting and drawing, so told my stories and expressed myself through these mediums. My way into filmmaking came a bit later in life, in my late teens I started immersing myself into film, it was the brilliant Wong Kar Wai who flipped the switch. His films were a great inspiration to me… I started as a screenwriter, learning and developing craft for many years. Soon enough I felt compelled to bring those stories to life, so I cobbled a stellar team together and started shouting “action”. And so, my journey as a Director began.
Tell us about your film?
A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a video of a mortician that really moved me. She spoke of her job as something of great beauty and importance, a gift to the family of the deceased and for the deceased themselves; to depart into the afterlife looking at peace. Often portrayed by society as gruesome and creepy, the role of the mortician is in fact a sacred role, a beautiful thing, taking loved ones into their care and treating the dead with care and dignity when it is most needed. They are both artists and scientists, there is great beauty and craft behind what they do. I wanted to make a film that gave a glimpse into the profession in a more sensitive and human light, but also touched on the topics of death & regret.
There’s a narrative in our culture that we find clarity when we face death, we come closer to what we truly want and come face to face with our regrets. As a society we don’t talk about death enough and sadly most of us will go to the grave filled with regret. The film is about love, loss and awakening. And ultimately about embracing life, and not letting the moments, whether they be small or life defining pass you by.
How did you take the news of being accepted into the festival?
It was super exciting!! It’s such an honour and privilege for our first public screening to be in our hometown at BFI Flare, with such a passionate audience. Screening at the BFI, the heart of the British Film industry is a really proud moment.
How has the process of being in the festival circuit been for you?
The festival run for ‘The Passing’ has just started. We started the festival run at BFI Flare and Roze Filmdagen Film Festival in Amsterdam, so, so far so good.
Funding in this industry can always be a challenge, how did you achieve yours?
I had saved up for years and years to contribute towards my first films, on top of this I also used crowdfunding, which was mostly from friends and family. Fortunately, my last film was made through a scheme which meant I got a budget. A small win!
What was the most challenging aspect of making your film?
We were shooting in some very sensitive and unconventional shooting locations, for example, one of them was a real mortuary – fortunately disused! I wanted to pay respect to the location but wanted to provide a comfortable working environment for cast and crew. It’s quite a surreal thing stepping into this kind of environment, it can bring certain emotions and thoughts to the forefront of your mind. Fortunately, with some cheery music, an upbeat team and lots of heat from the camera lights it quickly became like any other film set. Nothing to see here!
If you could have gone into any other role in the industry, which would you be interested in?
There are many roles that interest me, be that Cinematographer, Composer… but the role of actor I find particularly compelling. I have deep admiration for what they do, I am constantly in awe of their ability to be their most vulnerable selves and openly share that with the world. It’s an incredibly brave, beautiful and powerful thing.
Do you have any favourite queer films?
Where to start… I love Wong Kar Wai’s ‘Happy Together’. Todd Haynes ‘Carol’. Barry Jenkins ‘Moonlight’ and Tom Ford’s ‘A Single Man’… they’re all deeply poetic, beautiful and gorgeously aching.
What’s the next project for you?
I am currently developing an original TV series – a female led narrative set in Victorian England. As well as brainstorming my 1st feature film project.
And finally, what film are you most looking forward to seeing this year?
I can’t wait to see Suk Suk; I love Chinese cinema and I’m very fond of bold narratives that explore convention vs. personal desire.
You can follow Nicola and her film’s journey via Twitter
