I wanted Vis.Viata to be an exercise in empathy, closeness

I wanted Vis.Viata to be an exercise in empathy, closeness

Teenagers are not an alien species, as they sometimes seem, shows the documentary “Vis. Viață”, directed by Ruxandra governsand which can be seen, ibetween September 18 and 23, in cinemas in Bucharest, Timișoara and Cluj. „Dream. Life” was accomplished in four years and follows the lives of four teenagers as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

“We have the impression that teenagers are aliens, whom we don’t know, we don’t even have a way to communicate with them, because they are a different species. That’s bullshit”, says Ruxandra.

The film is the directorial debut of Ruxandra Gubernat, who also co-directed Portavoce (2018), a documentary about the waves of protests in Romania over the last fifteen years. Ruxandra is currently directing and co-producing the animated documentary Childless and the observational documentary Love and Porn.

We talk with Ruxandra further about how the documentary “Vis. Viață” was received after its release, the reactions of teenagers and how she managed to communicate with Generation Z.

The road Dream. Life after launch

I worked on it for six years, but now I would say that we are at the beginning of the road in sight, that we are finding our way and that we will do everything in our power to have as long a road as possible, on as diverse paths as possible. So far, the places it has reached have given us the boost of confidence that any project that has worked so hard, and that has taken so long to come out, needs. What we wanted is for it to feel like it’s not just a movie, it’s a life experience. And I think we succeed, at this stage.

SIDE

I cry too, they cry too 🙂 I am energized by the audience’s reactions. It felt like we gave emotion and now we get it back. After the Anonymous screening, people came up to me to thank me for crying. I don’t know exactly how to interpret it, but it seemed liberating. A girl, who had finished high school in the middle of the pandemic, told me that I gave her closure and made her relive high school.

Interpretations are always subjective, but the place where we meet is that Vis.Viață does not leave the audience indifferent. I think we provide enough reading keys and situations that people of different profiles, of different ages, can relate to.

The audience

Very present and willing to involve emotion. Many teenagers… although they say they only go to the cinema for blockbusters. Or at the mall on the terrace. I liked that they asked questions. They did what I wanted them to do, they entered the conversation.

What people need to know about Dream. Life

I wished that Dream. Life to be an exercise in empathy, closeness. We have the impression that teenagers are aliens, whom we do not know, we have no way to communicate with them, because they are a different species. That’s bullshit. For teenagers, I would like them to come and see it because we have three characters who show teenage life in all its aspects, and they look it in the face, with courage and commitment. Sometimes, many times, we feel alone in this intense process of trying to discover who we are. And Vis.Viata speaks to them.

Advice for parents of teenagers. And one for teenagers

And to some and others: not to be afraid to meet their parents/children. For teenagers: to find people they trust and are willing to listen to.

Screenings schedule:

Source: www.iqads.ro