QUESTION#1: How do your top 3 favorite films influence your filmmaking?:

"The good, the bad and the ugly", by Sergio Leone : I first saw it at 6 or 7 years old, it was the first time I understood that movies have their own and specific language. The Sad Hill cemetery scene made me realize that it was all about space and time. The representation of wild nature and man's place within it also influenced my own mythology as I grew up into the "wild" britanny. "Stalker", by Andreï Tartovski : I discovered it at the movie school, as a young adult. It made me realize that this mastering of time and space I was seeking was a real artform by itself and could create poetry, regardless of story telling and entertainment. Tarkovski's work also made me aware of his "artist responsability" concept. "Avoir 20 ans dans les Aurès", by René Vautier : I also discovered it at the movie school. Althought we have the same name I didn't know this director and his work. A teacher made me meet him a few years before he died. His tireless will to fight against injustice, his political consciousness and his unfailing enthusiasm are a constant source of inspiration.

QUESTION#2: What do you wish someone would ask you about your film and why?:

Why did you want to work with animals (horses in particular)?
I really believe that the future of mankind is nature and animals. I believe that men and woman should relearn to live, communicate and exchange with animals, instead of hiding themself behind high-tech, IA and huge cities. Relearn to work with animals, relearn to take care of nature. I think the equestrian arts can help people to reconnect with their "animal" condition and guide them to seek harmony with nature.
Shootings are also very different in the presence of animals. The crew has to be much more focused, patient and open to each other, and this helps to get miracles !

QUESTION#3: What scared you the most about making this film?:

TIME.
The movie is visually ambitious, the shooting included work with animals, guns, children, which are usually difficult to deal with. We only had 7 days to shoot hundreds of complicated shots. It was a real challenge to deal with this TIME issue, as I also really wished to "protect" the crew and not make them work for long overtime hours (which we had to do sometimes anyway..!).

QUESTION#4: You have to choose one to make your next movie:

1) unlimited budget but only a single take of every shot 2) Academy award winning composer, but they're not allowed to watch the film 3) A-list cast, but they're directed using only charades. Which one do you pick and why?: The first two options could be very frustrating but the third one could be fun ! As long as everybody understands each other (and if you 've got enough time), you can make the movie you wanted, and much more. So I pick this "A-list cast" option, I'll just have to work my charades skills !

QUESTION#5: What's does the future hold for this film and you?:

This movie is having a great life in great festivals like the BSFF ! The next step is to get some TV or streaming deal. And I am currently working on a series project based on this movie, with the intent to develop others "Breton" legends in an extended universe that would evoke societal and ecological issues.

MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/lankoulenfantetlesbrigands/

5Q's w/: Simon Vautier "The Ankou, the Child and the Bandits " Director