Zsolt Répási
Zsolt Répási is an independent freelancer director and cinematographer. His film carrier has started in 2016, he worked in numerous feature films, series and productions (The Last Kingdom, The King, The Alienist, Mars, Treadstone, Berlin Station) in various positions: as a stunt, action extra, small part extra actor and crowd marshal. From the year of 2019 he started work as a freelancer cinematographer at first in commercails and image films, but in 2021 his two short films has published, titled Sophia and Lost and Found. This two short films had achieved some mentionable successes: awards and offical selections in prestigous national and international film festivals. After finishing his studies in NTGN as a cinematographer, in 2022 he has made a documentary film series of 10 episodes about the living hungarian hussar tradition, and has participated in the crew of an HBO MAX reality series, called The Bridge. In the March of 2023 has released his third short film, titled Deeplight.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
Deeplight is a very low-budget short film that aims to evoke the style of thrillers and mind-blowing films from 20-30 years ago. Our work includes all the characteristic elements of this genre, such as tension, mysteries, symbolic references, etc. We hope others will see it the same way.
What are your ambitions with your project?
I would like this film to help us in the production of our next project, which will be a nearly 20-minute long extreme horror.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
It was truly an amazing experience, despite the intense pace. We had very little time and were working within tight spaces and budget, but our persistent creativity helped us overcome every obstacle. I can't even find the words to describe how great the teamwork was in bringing this film to life. Without their dedicated support, the Deeplight would still only exist in my mind to this day.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Anyone who enjoys multi-layered, thought-provoking, and symbolically rich films with a mysterious atmosphere would appreciate this film.
Why should distributors buy your film?
I don't think distributors would buy such short films. If they do, they would likely receive them for free. :)
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
This is a mystical thriller, following the style of the 90s and early 2000s, paying homage to the films and directors who have influenced me greatly. If you enjoyed movies like Jacob's Ladder, Shutter Island, or The Machinist, then this film will not disappoint... at least, I hope so.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
Because as an art form, it is almost only through this genre that one can communicate something to people. The world is becoming increasingly deaf and blind, perhaps a movie can still be watched, but no one is interested in a poem, a painting, or a small flower hiding at the base of a concrete building... yet true art is revealed in such small things.
Who is your role model?
I am more complex than to settle for just one example, but a more fitting term would be an inspiring director, as I want to create as myself, not in someone else's image. Terrence Malick, Sam Raimi, Dario Argento, and Andrej Zulawski have had a great influence on me.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
I love classic horror films and giallos from the 70s and 80s, such as Deep Red, Suspiria, A Four Flies on Grey Velvet, The Evil Dead, The Thing, etc. From Malick, I would mention To The Wonder, and from Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse. Of course, there are many more, but I don't want to fill your website with all my favorites. ☺
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
My fundamental interest in metaphysics and philosophy provides a fertile ground for my film ideas.
Which topics interest you the most?
Based on my previous response, I am interested in the nature of universal beauty, the relationship between my consciousness and existence, possibilities after death, but at the same time, I also enjoy engaging with music and gastronomy.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
Besides joking, the Deeplight is completed.
What do you consider most important about filming?
The most important thing for me is that this popular, mainstream genre can be transformed into art.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
I consider the best one to be the one that is most suitable for conveying deep content. Therefore, I prefer several types of formal approaches.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
I imagine as a picture: next to the corpse of a scorpion devouring itself, a tiny sky-blue flower is hiding.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
Basically two things: propagandistic messages and lack of quality.
Who supports you in your film career?
I owe a lot to my family, Réka László, some of my friends, András Bajcsi, our producer Gábor Ridzi, and Bence Kovács, the cinematographer of Deeplight.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
Due to the festivals, the film has not had its premiere yet, but those who have seen it mostly liked it very much and would have watched more.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Not outside Hungary yet. Hopefully, Fortuna will give us the opportunity someday.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
As I mentioned earlier, I would like our next short film to be made in a way that it is the best it can possibly be. That's all. I am not very ambitious.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
Deeplight is a very low-budget short film that aims to evoke the style of thrillers and mind-blowing films from 20-30 years ago. Our work includes all the characteristic elements of this genre, such as tension, mysteries, symbolic references, etc. We hope others will see it the same way.
What are your ambitions with your project?
I would like this film to help us in the production of our next project, which will be a nearly 20-minute long extreme horror.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
It was truly an amazing experience, despite the intense pace. We had very little time and were working within tight spaces and budget, but our persistent creativity helped us overcome every obstacle. I can't even find the words to describe how great the teamwork was in bringing this film to life. Without their dedicated support, the Deeplight would still only exist in my mind to this day.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Anyone who enjoys multi-layered, thought-provoking, and symbolically rich films with a mysterious atmosphere would appreciate this film.
Why should distributors buy your film?
I don't think distributors would buy such short films. If they do, they would likely receive them for free. :)
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
This is a mystical thriller, following the style of the 90s and early 2000s, paying homage to the films and directors who have influenced me greatly. If you enjoyed movies like Jacob's Ladder, Shutter Island, or The Machinist, then this film will not disappoint... at least, I hope so.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
Because as an art form, it is almost only through this genre that one can communicate something to people. The world is becoming increasingly deaf and blind, perhaps a movie can still be watched, but no one is interested in a poem, a painting, or a small flower hiding at the base of a concrete building... yet true art is revealed in such small things.
Who is your role model?
I am more complex than to settle for just one example, but a more fitting term would be an inspiring director, as I want to create as myself, not in someone else's image. Terrence Malick, Sam Raimi, Dario Argento, and Andrej Zulawski have had a great influence on me.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
I love classic horror films and giallos from the 70s and 80s, such as Deep Red, Suspiria, A Four Flies on Grey Velvet, The Evil Dead, The Thing, etc. From Malick, I would mention To The Wonder, and from Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse. Of course, there are many more, but I don't want to fill your website with all my favorites. ☺
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
My fundamental interest in metaphysics and philosophy provides a fertile ground for my film ideas.
Which topics interest you the most?
Based on my previous response, I am interested in the nature of universal beauty, the relationship between my consciousness and existence, possibilities after death, but at the same time, I also enjoy engaging with music and gastronomy.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
Besides joking, the Deeplight is completed.
What do you consider most important about filming?
The most important thing for me is that this popular, mainstream genre can be transformed into art.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
I consider the best one to be the one that is most suitable for conveying deep content. Therefore, I prefer several types of formal approaches.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
I imagine as a picture: next to the corpse of a scorpion devouring itself, a tiny sky-blue flower is hiding.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
Basically two things: propagandistic messages and lack of quality.
Who supports you in your film career?
I owe a lot to my family, Réka László, some of my friends, András Bajcsi, our producer Gábor Ridzi, and Bence Kovács, the cinematographer of Deeplight.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
Due to the festivals, the film has not had its premiere yet, but those who have seen it mostly liked it very much and would have watched more.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Not outside Hungary yet. Hopefully, Fortuna will give us the opportunity someday.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
As I mentioned earlier, I would like our next short film to be made in a way that it is the best it can possibly be. That's all. I am not very ambitious.