A romantic comedy about two women who hit it off in a lesbian bar, exploring migration, class and sexuality in Austria
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY MATTHIAS FEND
Could you tell us a bit about what inspired you to make this film?
I had the base of the idea around 2018 when Proschat Madani and I talked about working together again. In January 2020 I started fleshing out the treatment but had no time then to take it further. In March 2020 the pandemic hit and the world stood upside down. I had to isolate by myself because my girlfriend at the time was in a different country. Like the rest of the world, I was confused, worried and slightly depressed. I was working on a different script at the time and decided to change gears and focus on this romantic comedy because I needed something light and fun in my life and I figured other people needed that too.
What is the key message you hope LGBTQIA audiences take from your film?
Don’t be afraid to show the world who you are no matter how old you are, no matter your background, there is a community here to catch you.
What are the main themes that your film explores?
What a Feeling explores the themes of love in your 50s, being queer when you are born into a culture that does not accept the queer lifestyle, being an outsider in your own country and redefining yourself later in life.
What is your favourite line or scene from your film?
My favourite scene is the confrontation between Marie Theres and Fa on the staircase. I think it’s funny and heart-warming and we see both women being truly vulnerable. It’s more about what they are saying between the lines at this point and it also is the first time we see Fa, who is always cool as a cucumber, being flustered.
How did you get into filmmaking and what has been your biggest challenge in the industry?
Being a woman in the filmmaking industry is still a challenge. There have been significant changes in the industry but at a snail’s pace. Very often you still have to work 10 times as hard as the most mediocre man and that’s infuriating. I also find the reluctance to tell LGBTQIA stories, particularly ones that don’t fit the mould of coming out, coming of age or heartbreaking tragedy, still frustrating.
Why is LGBTQIA representation in film so important in 2024?
At a time when the basic rights of LGBTQIA people are under attack again, we need representation more than ever. We need to share our stories and share our experiences not only amongst ourselves but with people outside our community so there is more understanding and less villainization. Our stories need to be told from all different angles in all different genres. We need to see ourselves on screen to know that we are not alone in what we are going through at every given moment, at any point in our lives.
Why are events like BFI Flare which centre LGBTQIA films so important?
Events like BFI Flare are important because they highlight LGBTQIA stories and do so in a safe environment where we can honour each other, celebrate each other and share our stories with each other and our allies. It gives LGBTQIA filmmakers a much-needed platform and exposure which could help us further our careers.
This year’s Flare is split into the themes of Hearts, Bodies, and Minds. Do you have an LGBTQIA film which affected your heart, body, or mind?
There are many films that touched my heart, body and mind but one of the lighter, slightly comedic ones was Pride by Matthew Warchus. I love films that are inspired by true events with a great ensemble cast.
What do you hope to see in the future of LGBTQIA filmmaking?
I hope for more diverse stories, more LGBTQIA films getting wider releases and more films in general that include LGBTQIA characters at the centre of their story.
What A Feeling will be showing at BFI Flare on Friday 15 March at 20:25 and Tuesday 19 March at 17:50. Find out more by heading to the BFI website.
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
