Staff Pick: "The Tunnel" by Arash Ashtiani
In this week's Staff Pick Premiere, "The Tunnel," BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Arash Ashtiani tells the tragic tale of three refugees who are escaping towards their death through the Euro Tunnel that connects France to the UK.
Inspired by true accounts The film does not change in it's portrayal of the courage and the risk that is not justly placed on the millions of people fighting for the rights of all human beings. "The Tunnel" is a plunge into the third and tense act of a bigger story that Ashtiani is working on alongside writer Daniel Metz. However, it stands alone as a powerful and terrifying story about the lengths three characters will go in order to live a better life.
Ashtiani relates his experience that during the course of making the film as "rollercoasters" of emotional and physical problems. The film captures this emotional intensity beautifully captured by the softly constructed design of the tunnel, and the meticulous editing which fluctuates between the camaraderie that is built between the protagonists while the train approaches in the tunnel, and the quiet eerie peace of the station.
In advance of the release of the film We contacted Ashtiani to find out more details about the film as well as his process. Find out more in depth analysis of the method that he employed to create such a compelling and ambitious film.
is the main basis of which this film was based. film
"'The Tunnel' is an adaptation of a true account. My circle of friends in London is comprised of people who came to the UK through a variety of ways as well as some in tragic and gruesome ways over the last 20 years. One of the topics we discuss is the way we came in the UK and some of them are originated from Calais to Kent using different methods of transportation.
When I heard their tales, I felt compelled to share their stories. Their stories can be described as a rollercoaster ride of emotional and physical events for me. They face challenges and obstacles, as well as the goals they have the desire to achieve and the desire to keep moving , and they are driven. The film is filled with hardship, physical and mental fatigue, and instances where their character is tested. The movie is filled with joy and optimism even when the worst happens and these are the things which inspired me to create this documentary . "
While creating:
"'The Tunnel" is the closing scene of the screenplay Daniel Metz and I wrote together. The first two scenes take place as the men from Calais getting ready to manage the Tunnel. We finished the first draft of the feature script in 2015. Since then we made the short and at the moment we are writing the second draft for the feature script.
We weren't looking to create an empathy-based film for refugees. But during research and writing the script we talked to refugees located in Calais before traveling across the UK. We read the memoirs of people who had been refugees, and also wrote their stories, saw documentaries, plays and films which focus on the camps in Calais and the way they live. "
on the design of production as well as cinematography
"From the beginning of the process of writing, there was an issue regarding where we should take the tunnel. We knew a few specifics about the actual EuroTunnel however, even though we wanted to retain what was unique about the tunnel, we were not going be confined to those particulars. After months of looking for the ideal location, we decided that it would be best to shoot in studios. It was a challenge creating extensions to every part within the facility.
Mike McLouglin, our production designer, has completed an incredible job in re-creating an area inside the tunnel in the studio. Nick Morris, our DP performed a superb job of the way he shot the scene. One of the challenges was to design extensions for each side of the stage so you could view the tunnel as an infinite unfilled and black space. Mike developed it further using the brilliant idea of placing a mirror on each end in order that, when the camera gazes at the opposite side, you will see an endless tunnel. Mike created an exact size model of the tunnel. We made use of Hornby's Hornby Eurostar model train with a tiny lens that was connected to the model in order for recording the photos of the train moving across the tunnel. It seemed bonkers, but when Static VFX then brought their abilities and magic into the post-production, everything began to become logical and looked stunning.
We decided to move close to main character's location in the course of time. Every time we create an intersection between the tunnel and the station it is closer the main character, and the tunnel provides an experience that is more personal to it and also the defiant effort to navigate it . "
When you edit the film
"The editing of this film was among the most intriguing aspects of the entire process. One of the major tasks I was tasked with was to discover how we can build tension and suspense. My co-writer, Daniel Metz and I had thought of it when making the script however I was able to comprehend it when editing the script and must acknowledge film editor Stuart Gazzard for this.
As I edited the film, I began to know what kind of information we need to add in bits-by-bit in order to build suspense. The film was made by Gare of Nord Station scenes as well as the model of the train following the rough edit. Editing shaped the story by creating the character of the film, thus creating suspense and the speed of the film. "
HTML0A closer look at how difficult it was to create this film
"I consider that in general making films isn't easy. One of the most difficult issues film makers face is the issue of finding money they need to create their film. It took me several years to find producers. Anna Seifert-Speck, the director of the program at Berlinale Talent Campus where she heard me pitch the project and introduced me to Anna Griffin. Together, we raised money through The BFI Network and Lush Film Fund.
The mindset for shooting running or action sequences differs from emotional ones. It was obvious throughout the process of shooting and it was obvious for me. When I look back at the shooting days I learned that I invested the exact amount of time between the action scenes as well as more emotional scenes that could have been captured more effectively... I was able to bring the thrill and passion of the escape and the run into the scenes through the fastest and most intense time frame and spent more time capturing the moment between the actors. "
With hopes for the film:
"I believe that the problem which is growing in importance is the rise of Nationalism along with populist politicians within British as well as European government. The government uses discrimination against immigrants and racism to get political advantages.
By the new British law, which was approved just a few months ago, male teenage refugees, just like those in 'The Tunnel Tunnel', will be sent to Rwanda starting from this point to wait for instances to be heard. I would like to think that viewers realize people who are going through the rigors of getting to the beloved sanctuary of viewers are humans and hope of a better life in addition to a serene and enjoyable life. Many are forced out of their homes or countries either due to religious persecution and war or from financial hardship. It is crucial that they receive humane treatment to be able to join the society rather than being considered criminals.
I'm hoping that, by watching a few strangers in a foreign setting, going through the challenges of human necessities, viewers can notice their similarities and be able to recognize them as people. "
HTML1 A note of guidance for filmmakers who are aspiring:
"Filmmaking is not a one-man job , and it's as much a team effort. Find people who encourage you to accomplish the things you want to do. The trust they have to your liking is the key to creating a productive collaboration. It is based on having a good understanding of the people you're working with. Take time to spend whenever you want and listen to what they have to say. Then invite them to talk about the favorite films. See If you relate with their work or not. It doesn't matter if they're similar to the film you're planning to make or not however it will assist you to determine if the worlds overlap and whether you have similar ideas to make your film.
Beware of letting the technical aspect of your story bog you down, and disrupt your plot because of the technical aspects.
Respect your colleagues and don't make it clear that you're insisting! "
On what's next:
"Developing The Tunnel movie feature is my latest project. The story of the characters unfolds from the time they step in the tunnel. Co-writers, Daniel Metz, and myself have been working on the feature-length script based on the lessons we have learned during the process of making the short.
I'm currently working on a feature-length documentary on the Iranian exiled poet Esmaeel Khoei. The poet died at the age of 84 in London around 2021. The film is mostly based on the VHS tapes that were accumulated by him during the first days of his exile. Its release date is set for October. . "
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