“RADICAL HONESTY is a dark romantic comedy about when the rubber meets the road in open relationships. On their first date, Jack and Rachel hit it off, both excited by the other’s open-minded worldview and commitment to deconstruct traditional relationship structures. Soon after the initial spark, Jack reveals the reality of his so-called “radical” open relationship and things take a sharp turn for the absurd. Radical Honesty is a snapshot of today’s dating scene and an exploration of the disconnect between ideals and reality.” Filmmaker Bianca Poletti on RADICAL HONESTY which screens at SxSW 2022.
Welcome to SxSW and congratulations! Is this your first SxSW experience?
Yes! It is my first time attending and premiering a film at SXSW. When making this short, we actually had this specific festival in mind and I’m so so happy they liked the film enough to add it to their 2022 line up. I think SXSW is such a great festival for creatives, and they really showcase all types of films, not only serious and deep narratives, but all sorts of comedy as well. They’ve always had their finger on the pulse for conversations and stories that are very much of the now. I really love that about them and the way they select their projects to showcase.
How did you first hear about SxSW and wishing to send your project into the festival?
I’ve been following SXSW for quite awhile now. We actually had this specific festival in mind when creating ‘Radical Honesty.’ We were BEYOND excited when we found out our film got in. I was watching an episode of Love Island UK refreshing my email when the news came in.
Tell me about the idea behind RADICAL HONESTY and getting it made!
Allison, who wrote and stars in the film wrote this story about deconstructing traditional relationship structures, and she sent it to me after I directed her in a music video. When she sent it to me, it was a lot simpler, just two people having a conversation on a bench, but I loved the witty dialogue, I loved the interactions between these strangers and I really saw a world where this could take place in a slightly bigger world, and she trusted me to do so.
Who are some of your creative inspirations? Any particular filmmaking talent or movie that inspired you for this project?
The opening of the film was inspired by the one-shot through the restaurant in GOODFELLAS and the steadicam opening scene in Paul Thomas Anderson’s BOOGIE NIGHTS and the diner was inspired by ZOLA and THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD.
How did you put this together from a technical viewpoint? What sort of cameras/lenses did you use and/or did you have any creative challenges in making it?
I work a lot with a director of photography named Corey C. Waters, mostly on commercials and this was our first film together. But we work so so well together and have very similar taste in visuals. We both knew we needed to shoot on a Arri Alexa and on Cooke S4 Minis. I’ve worked with those lenses quite a bit and they’re really just so beautiful and can have almost a painter like aesthetic to them. Lighting wise, we were inspired by PARIS, TEXAS a bit, with the neons coming in through the diner windows.
Challenges are many! It’s an indie, self funded short so of course finding enough crew is a bit of a challenge. I was lucky enough to have a good friend and producer of mine Shay who came on board to produce, and she brought on a lot of the crew who worked on the film because they loved the script and they loved her. It was a really nice positive group of people who just wanted to create together. I’m so so thankful for them.
If you had one piece of advice to offer someone to get their start as a creator or filmmaker in the industry, what would you suggest?
I would say trust your own unique voice and don’t stop creating and learning. I’ve learned the most by constantly creating, even if I’m not on a commercial shoot being paid to direct, I’m always working on creating new shorts, new photo shoot ideas, music videos, and I still have a lot to learn but the more you exercise that muscle, I think the stronger of a storyteller you become. So, just keep doing and keep learning and growing.
And finally, what is your favourite short film of all time?
I don’t think I have a favorite of all time but I did recently see this short called LES GRANDES CLAQUES and I watched it three times back to back. Absolutely loved it and highly recommend!
This film and many others like it will be showing at South By Southwest taking place March 11-20. For more information point your browser to www.sxsw.com!