Can you explain the process behind creating this work? How did the idea come to you, and how did you go about executing it.
I first pitched the idea to animator Espen Meling Sele as a traditional animated short, but found that the narrative would lack a lot of the intention and emotion needed to make it compelling. We decided to animate the pitch itself, as it allowed for more explanation and offbeat humor. We proceeded in doing two takes on my cellphone to get the vibe we wanted. The final film is the entirety of take two, without cuts or bridges.
Do you find it important to personalise your stories? Do your works reflect aspects of yourself or your lived experiences?
I believe that good storytelling relies on a personal connection to the story, so in that sense I find it essential to personalise my stories. In Conundrum this is in both the subject matter and the delivery. These come from a very personal place, and while they reflect both aspects of myself and my lived experiences, I believe they do so in an abstract way. No single experience or personality trait has been a source of inspiration, it is more a combination of many.
When you're in the creative process, do you consider your audience and current trends?
I have had the pleasure of working with film independently for more than twelve years, and I am both proud and happy to say that I am completely divorced from current trends. I think the audience who have chosen to watch a film will enjoy any story that is told well, and I think that good products therefore make trends rather than follow them. I am not saying we are there yet, but that is the mission.
Regarding form and concept, does one take precedence over the other in your work?
A good product needs a form that fits the concept in a unique way. If one takes precedence over the other, I believe the work is still unfinished. I am an avid enjoyer of all kinds of creative products, and I feel that many artists are blinded by their need to create and publish. Of course one must often work on something incomplete to hone technical skills, but in the end a true work meant for publication should be a concrete concept that calls for a concrete form to fully express the idea.
Cinema is often considered the most expensive art form, and independent films rarely turn a profit. If you had a budget for this project, how did you manage it? Do you prefer working with a budget, or do you find more freedom when self-funding?
We were very happy to receive 240.000 kroner from Fond for Lyd og Bilde for this production, without it the movie would not have been possible. It is absolutely true that there is little profit in independent film, short film especially, but I have yet to find a way to make a good film for free. Self-funding, in my experience, means compromise and uncertainty. With a budget, you pre-approve a plan to follow if the application is accepted. If funding is denied, I believe you are better off pitching a new project.
Who or what are your sources of inspiration for this work? (if any)
The Conundrum in the film is an abstract representation of many conflicts, big and small. Everything from nations in war to a lovers quarrel. When you first see them as an outsider they seem easy to solve, but the more you explore the different viewpoints, the more you understand why the problem will remain unsolved. On a more film technical level, the short is inspired by a decade long exploration of how to use storytelling in an unusual and creative way.
What do you think about the direction that independent cinema is going towards? Do you think it’s being suppressed by mainstream cinema, or do you think it is thriving with fresh ideas?
I think independent cinema is still going strong, even though it has the same weaknesses as mainstream cinema. In relation to the question of form and concept, I believe projects more often than not cut corners to the detriment of the viewing experience and the story being told. I believe independent cinema in some ways prides itself in this. Mainstream cinema does the same, but in a more palatable way. They are not different, only one is easier on the eyes and mind.
- Jostein, director of Conundrum
Winner of BUFF 2024 Audience Choice: Jostein Leland
We had the pleasure of interviewing Jostein Leland, director of Conundrum, who won the Audience Award during BUFF 2024