Staff Pick Premiere: "The Tunnel" by Arash Ashtiani

In this week's Staff Pick Premiere, "The Tunnel," BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Arash Ashtiani tells a heartbreaking story of three refugees fighting for their lives on the Euro Tunnel that connects France and the UK.

Inspired by true accounts and inspired by true tales This film remains steadfast in its portrayal of the courage and risk not deservedly imposed upon the millions of people who are fighting for the human rights. "The Tunnel" takes us to the tense third part of the larger narrative Ashtiani has been writing with Co-Wordsmith Daniel Metz. However, it stands by itself as a gripping and heartbreaking tale of the extent to which three characters will endure for the cause to live a better living.

Ashtiani describes the tales he heard in preparing for the documentary, describing the stories as "rollercoasters" of emotional and physical obstacles. The film captures this feeling is masterfully captured through the enveloping production style of the tunnel as well as the meticulous editing that oscillates between the camaraderie by the two men, the increasing fear that builds as the train stands a chance to pass in the tunnel, and the tranquil eerie silence that surrounds the train station.

     Prior to the film's release the film's release, we reached out Ashtiani to find out more about the film and his procedure. Take a look for an in-depth look at his method used to pull off such an engaging and dramatic film.

     The basis for the film:    

"'The Tunnel" was inspired by an actual report. My friends' circle in London comprises people who have come to the UK through a variety of methods, as well as many who have come to the UK in both heroic and horrifying ways over the past 20 years. We discuss how we came into the UK and how some are through Calais to Kent using different methods of transportation.

     As I listened to their stories as well as their personal stories, I was in awe of their tales and wanted to share them. The stories they tell are like a rollercoaster of emotions and events to me. The challenges they face, the dreams they have, the will to move and the desire to move. There's psychological and physical fatigue, and moments when their worthiness is tested. The film is filled with laughter and hope in the darkest moment and those are the elements that inspired me to make the film . "

HTML1 The writing process

"'The Tunnel The Tunnel' is the closing act of the feature script Daniel Metz and I wrote with Daniel Metz. The two first episodes follow the men who are living in Calais studying how to operate the Tunnel. We finished the first draft of the feature script back in the year 2015. We then created the movie and are currently writing another draft for our feature script.

     We weren't looking to make an anti-refugee film, but of course in the course of our research as well as the creation of the script, we spoke with the people who lived at Calais and eventually made it to the UK. We read memoirs by refugees who wrote their own stories. Then we performed plays and documentary films. We also saw films about the camps of Calais and the way people live there. "

The design of the production and cinematography

"From the beginning of our writing process we were faced with this issue of where we should take the tunnel. We had some information regarding the EuroTunnel however, even though we wanted to protect particular aspects of this tunnel, we were not limited to the details. After months of searching for locations and prospecting, we came to the decision that it would be more efficient to film at the studio. It was an uphill task to design extensions for each side in the building.

     Mike McLouglin, our production designer, did an amazing job in creating a new area of the tunnel inside the studio. Nick Morris, our DP was awestruck by how he shot the tunnel. One of the difficulties was the creation of extensions on every side of the set to observe the tunnel as an infinite unfilled black space. Mike extended it with the idea of using an end mirror in order that, when the camera is towards the opposite end it can be able to see the endless tunnel. Mike constructed a scale model version that resembles the tunnel. We used an Hornby Eurostar model train with small lenses connected to it, to capture the scenes of the train that was actually moving through the tunnel. The concept was a bit strange at first but once Static VFX then brought their expertise and creativity to the post-production phase, the images began to look and feel amazing.

     We wanted to be closer and closer to our main character as the years went through. Each time we cut from the station into the tunnel, we're closer to the main character and the tunnel helps to create a more intimate impression of the tunnel and the thrilling attempt to get it running . "

After editing the movie:

"The editing process was one of the most fascinating aspects of the entire process. One of the primary goals I set was how we could create suspense or tension. The co-creator Daniel Metz and I had written it into the script but I could understand it properly during the editing process and I have to acknowledge the director of the film Stuart Gazzard for his help in this.

     As I edited the film I got to understand what details we should gradually introduce so that we can build suspense. The film was made by Gare du Nord's scenes from the station along with the model train after the rough cut. Editing shaped the film by defining the main character, increasing suspense and pace of the film. "

HTML0In the process of making this film

     "I think that, in general the process of making films can be difficult. One of the major challenges filmmakers face is finding funds to produce their films. It took me several years to find producers. Anna Seifert-Speck had been leading the program for Berlinale Talent Campus where she got to listen to my talk about the project and introduced myself to Anna Griffin. Together we raised money from Lush Film Fund and The BFI Network and Lush Film Fund.

     The way to shoot running or action scenes differs from scenes that are emotional. It was obvious when I shot the scene and the difference became clear for me. When I look back at the experience of shooting I discovered that I had used an equal quantity of time in between scene of action and emotional parts which could have been handled differently... It was better to capture the excitement and passion of the escape scene and be able to run through the scenes taking them at a later or faster frame of time and focusing more in the moments between actors. "

With the hope of seeing the movie:

"I believe the cause of what's going to get worse is the rise of Nationalism as well as populist politicians within British and European government. The government is using racist and anti-migrant attitudes to gain advantages in politics.

     According to the latest British law that was approved just a few two weeks ago, refugees who are male similar to the characters of "The Tunnel in the tunnel' will be sent to Rwanda from now on so that they can wait for the outcome of their cases to be heard. It is my hope that viewers understand that those who travel through the dirt in order to get to the refuge of our viewers are real people and full of hopes for a better existence in addition to a tranquil and satisfying living. Many of them are forced out of their homes or their countries in the wake of conflicts and religious fanaticism or the economic difficulties. It is vital that they get humane treatment for them to be accepted into the society rather than being labeled as criminals.

I'd like to believe that when they look at two characters in a bizarre environment, facing a challenge in response to the human fundamental requirements, viewers see the familiarity of these people and view the characters as individuals. "

For aspiring filmmakers:

"Filmmaking is not a solo task and requires collaborative work. Find people who love the job you're trying to accomplish. Their trust with your personal taste is most important factor in a partnership that will succeed. It is based on knowing them. Make the investment you believe you need Then, take note of the things they say. Discuss the top five films and see If you relate with their work or not. What's important isn't how close they are to the movie that you'd like making or not. However, it will help you determine the common views of the world, and also if you are in the same mindset about the movie.

     Do not make the technical aspect of your story bog down your story suffer because of the technical side.    

     Be courteous to your coworkers and do not Be demanding! "

What's next?

     "Developing The Tunnel movie feature is what I'm currently developing. The story of the characters up to the moment they step through the tunnel. The co-writers, Daniel Metz, and me are in the process of writing our feature-length script, based on the lessons we've learned through the production of the short.

     I've just finished a feature-length documentary on the Iranian poet who was exiled Esmaeel Khoei. The poet died at the age of 84 in London at the age of 2021. The movie is heavily based on the VHS recordings that he made during his initial days in exile. It will release in the month of October . "

Article was posted on here