FANTASIA 2018: THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE INVADERS…

When you check your newsfeed on a social media network, you will see many video posts where people are being discriminated against by others because of their race.  It is something that we have consistently have seen time and time again but sometimes we need to look at it from a different angle to take the subject on a serious level.  Which is where Mateo Márquez’s short film The Invaders comes into play which made its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal.  The Invaders is a Márquez’s portrait of what it means to struggle against Anti-Muslim sentiments and where morals are absolutely thrown out the window in a Western society.  Isra Elsalihie plays Jayla who is a Muslim girl that runs away from a sinister force that threatens her well being bringing a new type of horror that is reality to the silver screen.  FERNTV spoke to director Mateo Márquez to discuss the facets of Islamaophobia which is not only taking place in his film The Invaders but in our world right this very second.

FERNTV:  What was the inspiration for this film, The Invaders, and was the travel ban a direct influence on it?

Mateo:  The inspiration for this film came to me during the last presidential election, when a wave of islamophobia swept across the U.S. and the Western world, and triggered aggressive behavior towards Muslims and some social unrest. Families that had often lived in their communities for a long time became subjected to verbal and sometimes even violent attacks. The continuous use of harsh rhetoric towards people of the Muslim faith by politicians exacerbated the situation. I was worried about how the new administration would take advantage of the existing fear and insecurities in the general population, and would make live harder for Muslim residents and visitors from Islamic countries, in order to gain more popularity itself. The Travel Ban, which was recently reinforced by the U.S. Supreme Court, is one of the government’s new policies. Ultimately, my film is an exploration of how in our society, which is built upon the principles of freedom and justice for all, we could fall prey to fear-mongering and tolerate discrimination against certain cultural and ethnic groups.

FERNTV:  Tell us a little bit more about Isra Elsalihie and the casting process and why you chose her to be the lead in your film?

Mateo:  From the start, Isra was intrigued by the message the film was looking to convey. Isra is of Iranian and Swedish descent, and her history as an immigrant in different countries brought personal insight in the effects of Islamophobia to the role. It was important to me to cast an actress who not only could instill the horror and fear felt by the victim, but also her humanity. Often in horror films, we forget about the gravity of death because of the genre’s nature. Isra brought a truthfulness to her character that allowed the audience a more intimate access to her.

FERNTV:  There is not much dialogue in the film, but tell us those who are not in the know how sound is so important to the film?

Mateo:  I have always regarded the sound of the film as a central character to the film. The sound design of The Invaders allows us into the mind of Jayla and lets us identify with the fear she feels. The sound magnifies the sensations Jayla experiences and keeps the audience guessing until the very end. And just like the evil coming for Jayla, the film’s sound surrounds the main character and the audience in this chamber of no escape.

FERNTV:  There are many submissions to this type of festival, Fantasia, but a short film should still have a great impact on the big screen.   Can you comment on that and can you tell us if you do test your film on a big screen before submission?

Mateo:  While it is true that many short films end up on video-on-demand, the life any film can have on the big screen is unparalleled. The Invaders is not different, and it was important to me that the film creates as much of visually visceral impact as possible. I have played it many times in a large theater to test the effect the film would have on an audience, and we are still grateful for the opportunity to personally connect with audiences and receive their feedback.

FERNTV:  Other than watching other films at this festival, what other things do filmmakers like yourself look forward to?

Mateo:  I look forward to meeting Fantasia’s fans and visitors and all the talented professionals who have come to the festival to share their work. It is important to me to build connections with other filmmakers and industry professionals who are making and telling these stories possible.

FERNTV:  Tell us why this film matters.

Mateo:  As signified in the film by the neighbors looking out of the window, I believe if we look away and do not challenge the established notions or practices of a society or a government we are doomed to commit atrocities. I hope that the film creates that palpable fear and anxiety for a society that should never exist.  Often, we tolerant practices that are not right when we are not personally affected ourselves.  I would like to make people think about this, and perhaps become a little bit more involved in preventing unjust things from happening.

FERNTV:  What was the most challenging part of making The Invaders?

Mateo:  Shooting the film all in one weekend on a small budget, and pulling off the various camera tricks we wanted to achieve. Luckily, with support of an enormously talented and dedicated cast and crew, I believe we pulled it off.

FERNTV:  How does it feel to be part of Fantasia this year?

Mateo:  My producers, Claudia and Alastair Murdoch, and I are enormously excited to be in Montreal.  It is a huge honor and privilege to be a part of Fantasia. The festival and Mitch Davis have an excellent reputation, and the attention it garners from audiences and media from all corners of the world is fantastic. I am excited to share this film with and be part of the Fantasia community.

www.mateomarquezfilm.com

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