Isabela von Tent

Alice On&Off

How to teach someone to love if no one has taught you?

SYNOPSIS

Shot over the course of ten years, the story revolves around 16-year-old ALICE, who becomes a mother to ARISTO, a child conceived out of her deep affection for DORIAN, despite their remarkable 35-year age difference. However, their trajectories quickly separate, compelling Alice to make the heart-wrenching choice of parting ways with Dorian and Aristo. Confronted with fear and isolation, Alice seeks refuge and solace by expressing herself through painting, with a video chat camera as her witness. In this process, she not only finds comfort but also rediscovers love. Mirroring her parents' actions, Alice sporadically appears in Aristo's life throughout the years, following a similar pattern.

DIRECTOR
Isabela von Tent

PRODUCER
Irina Malcea-Candea

STORY EDITOR
Letitia Stefanescu

PRODUCTION COMPANY
Luna Film

COUNTRIES
Romania

LENGTH
90 min

Isabela von Tent

ISABELA VON TENT, having pursued studies in film directing and journalism, embarked on her professional journey in cinema, initially serving as an assistant director for national and international productions. Collaborating with esteemed figures in Romanian cinema, such as Radu Jude, Tudor Giurgiu and numerous others, Isabela honed her skills and gained invaluable experience. It was her unique perspective on reality and an unwavering passion for storytelling that ignited her deep love for the art of documentary filmmaking. Isabela's debut in this genre came as a short documentary, which earned her the prestigious National Film Award. Fueled by a desire to explore non-classical approaches to documentary storytelling, she made a deliberate choice to embark on the development of her first feature film. Shot over a span of ten years, this ambitious project led Isabela to participate in influential international training programs dedicated to documentary filmmaking, including ExOriente (2018) and ZagrebDox (2018).

I met Alice in the first year of film school ten years ago. I was initially hesitant about Alice's personality and lifestyle, but an undeniable curiosity compelled me to delve deeper into her world. For a long time, I didn’t know what this film was about or the theme. The only thing I knew from the beginning was that I truly respect her and decided to film by myself. That helped me understand her better and get closer to her universe. Filming alone also allowed me to become a character and grow with the story. I discovered that our lives shared a common thread of having endured an upbringing marred by abuse rather than love and compassion. This realisation profoundly impacted my growth as I closely documented Alice's transformative journey over the past decade. In an era where we strive to unravel our true selves and identify the key ingredients for a fulfilling life, Alice's story catalyses my inner exploration. Her journey is a powerful testament to how we navigate the legacy inherited from our parents, using it as a platform for personal improvement and paving the way for a brighter future for future generations.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Irina Malcea-Candea

IRINA MALCEA-CANDEA founded the production company Luna Film based in Bucharest, Romania. With a track record of producing documentaries that often undergo extensive periods of development, Irina firmly believes in the power of compelling narratives and strong characters to create positive change and inspire audiences. With this vision in mind, her portfolio includes projects that are socially challenging and emotionally engaging, including documentary features such as THE LAND YOU BELONG (2023), TOO CLOSE (2022), TEACH (2019), I AM HERCULES (2016). In addition to her production work, she co-produced and locally distributed the Bosnian drama THE SON (2019) while also serving as executive producer for CHARLESTON (2017) and Romanian executive producer for the Bulgarian co-production PALACE FOR THE PEOPLE (2017). She is an alumna of the EAVE Producers Workshop, Berlinale Talents, and EWA Network. PUENTES, Emerging Producers.

Production company profile

LUNA FILM is an independent production company founded in Bucharest by producer Irina Malcea. The core belief of Luna Film is that the combination of a compelling narrative and strong characters holds the extraordinary power to inspire people and facilitate change for the better. With a track record in international co-productions, Luna Film is dedicated to producing socially engaging films that address social issues and leave a lasting impact on audiences. The company actively supports emerging filmmakers, nurturing their talent and providing a platform for creative expression. Luna Film also embraces diverse genres and seeks co-production collaborations to expand its creative horizons and explore new opportunities.

Where are we at?

PRODUCTION BUDGET
160.743 EUR

NEEDED FOR COMPLETION
21.720 EUR

TERRITORIES AVAILABLE
Worldwide

EXPECTED RELEASE
First trimester of 2024

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