NewEnglandFilm.com

Filmmaker Xavery Robin takes a unique view of relationship stress in her short film The Art of Being Hurt, now screening as part of the 2014 Online New England Film Festival. Here, Robin discusses how she got her start in filmmaking, her inspiration for her films and her future projects.

When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?

As a child and teenager, I was never particularly interested in movies. I preferred books – and enjoyed taking photographs. After finishing college with a philosophy and political science major I knew that I didn’t want to continue in academics, and the urge to do something creative and hands-on eventually made me dabble in filmmaking. I worked in the German film industry for 18 months, during which time I made my first two short films. Intrigued by it all, I decided to come to Boston to do my MFA in Film Production at BU. Since then, film has taken over my life – in the best of ways.

What inspired you to make your film?

Psychological ‘damage’ and how to deal with it is a topic that has fascinated me for a long time. I wanted to make a movie that explores this in the context of a relationship. Jacob and Nina are an ordinary couple, don’t have bad intentions, nor any particularly deep ‘traumata’ – and yet they manage to make life difficult for each other. To visualize this, I decided that a more experimental approach was necessary. This led to the creation of the particular world that The Art of Being Hurt takes place in.

How did you find your cast and crew for this film?

I casted the talent based on recommendations other BU students gave me. The crew are all BU students, graduates and undergraduates.

Where has the film been shown?

The film has so far been screened at the Boston Student Film Festival (Special Mention Jury Prize) and at the Arlington International FIlm Festival.

What are you working on now?

I am finishing up Eileen, a short film I made last semester about a woman who mysteriously finds a flower on her doorstep every morning. I am also beginning pre-production for my Thesis Film The Listener, a sic-fi-thriller short that I will shoot next summer.

Any advice on making films you want to share – about fundraising, working with actors, distributing, sending to festivals, etc?

On the set of Art of Being Hurt I pushed my team to its limits. On the second day of shooting I think our wrap time was 9pm. We finished at 1am. In the past I had always been very responsible about keeping schedules and not pissing anyone off. Somehow, this time I was so immersed in the work that I felt confident we could all keep going – and we did, thanks to my amazing team, but also my belief that we needed to push through. It was worth it – we got some amazing images that night.

What might we be surprised to learn about you?

My ultimate dream is to direct a high-concept sci-fi. Somehow, this always comes at a surprise to people…but one of the first movies that left a lasting impression on me was Star Wars!