Nerdly » Horror-On-Sea 2018 Interview: Romain Serir talks The Girl with Two Faces

21st Dec2017

Horror-On-Sea 2018 Interview: Romain Serir talks The Girl with Two Faces

by Philip Rogers

The Girl with Two Faces (aka La Fille aux 2 visages) is new gothic thriller from writer and director Romain Serir, which has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Saturday 27th January. I got chance to ask Romain a few questions about what we can expect, his influences behind the style of the film, why he decided to shoot in black and white.

What can we expect from the film?

A very gothic thriller and a strange love story between a sort of a mad scientist and two beautiful girls with the same face. Strange and dark at the same time I hope.

What was your inspiration for writing The Girl with Two Faces?

First it was a homage to George Franju, a famous French director who made The Eyes without a Face (1960) or Judex (1936). But I think I was also very influenced by Pinku, the erotic films of the 60’s and 70’s area shot in Japan. There was a craziness in their filmmaking that I always love.

What were your inspirations for the look and style of the film?

Same thing. The Pinku films were my principal inspiration. I love the aesthetic and the way they shot with a very limited budget. I think Dario Argento and Brian De Palma was also somewhere in my head, principally for the end.

Why did you choose to shoot in black and white?

For two reasons. First it was a homage to Franju and the poetic style of his filmmaking. Also, it was the cheaper way to make a fantastic film with good effects without a lot of money. I hid a lot of things thanks to the very contrast colour editing.

Are there any elements in the finished film which were different to how you envisioned them in the original scrip?

Yes. At the end there was a stunt that we couldn’t shot because of the lack of money and time. But I changed the shots and some of the story narratives and it was ok.

What was one of your favourite scenes in the film?

I think the split screen scene at the end. I had this idea in my mind, since the beginning of the writing one year before shooting it. So, when I see the film completed, and notice that this scene works it’s a big relief.

Do you have any new projects which you are working on?

Yes, an adventure film with a bunch of wild musketeers and English spies, produced by Marteau Films. I really hope it will be my next project.

If someone is looking to direct their first film, what advice would you give them?

Keep trying and never look back behind you. There always someone to say to you that it’s impossible to make, that you need to wait a little longer. I say, if it’s a need for you, you should make the film.