Qumra expert calls on young filmmakers to build trust between crew and positivity on set

Qumra Film Festival expert Lynne Ramsey, Cannes Film Festival and BAFTA Award winner, gave a glimpse into the elements that define her work and make her impact on successive generations of audiences, during the session moderated by Richard Bine, Professor of Film Studies at Columbia University, and attended by aspiring directors. from around the world. During her speech at the symposium she presented at the Qumra Film Forum 2023, the annual incubator, organized by the Doha Film Institute, she linked literary works to cinema, and presented a summary of her experiences to emerging directors, addressing them, saying: "Build trust between the actors and the team so that they can realize the director’s vision together". Ramsay did not give the participants guiding advice, instead, she gave them access to her way of thinking, enabling them to position themselves as directors to bring out the best in their team. She said: "It is important not to be complacent when directing the actors, and to persevere in discovering together, by involving them in the project at the earliest opportunity. The second step is to agree on the extent to which they are willing to continue their path, and whether the motives of the actors match her own vision. All disagreements must be addressed from the outset to move forward in building mutual trust and rapport. That’s why you need to bring your enthusiasm to the set, and when it’s fun, it works.". Ramsay pointed out that her direction of cinema provided her with an opportunity "Meeting people from different backgrounds, with different passions, and understanding they are looking for", calling for honesty and openness to see the world. She likened the film industry to "Humanity knitting"Noting that filmmaking is an endlessly wonderful work, as it enables directors to reveal the person, the moment, and the time. It is worth noting that Ramsay’s first feature film, titled “The Rat Hunter”, was shown in the Un Certain Regard section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, and was distinguished by the originality of his idea. And she worked with non-professional actors in this film, and her message to young filmmakers: "Don’t come over (on the non-professional actors) and make the set a fun experience". She expressed her happiness at looking at the work of young filmmakers, as she considered Qumra a very important platform to support young filmmakers in a unique and different way. The symposium, presented by Ramsay, served as an inspiration for filmmakers to discover the principle of freedom in this field, from developing the idea through the process of making the film, to presenting it to the public with the adoption of a new approach in storytelling.