Keyvan Sheikhalishahi is a French filmmaker making a name for himself in Hollywood. He is 21 but already made three short films. His new one, Divertimento, is an independent blockbuster. The film has a 150-person team and stars including Kellan Lutz (Twilight, Expendables, FBI Most Wanted), Torrey DeVitto (Chicago Med), Ola Rapace (Skyfall), Götz Otto (Cloud Atlas), Christian Hillborg (Fleabag) and Ellie Heydon (Harlots). Keyvan won the Remi Gold Award for his previous short Nox, an award Steven Spielberg himself won at the beginning of his career. Now, Divertimento just won Best French Movie at PAMA, the leading independent film festival in Paris and Best International Movie out of 162 selected films in Dublin.
INTERVIEW
KEYVAN
SHEIKHALISHAHI
“I like when cinema has the power to show the thoughts of the characters visually, what’s happening inside of themselves!”
Thank you so much for interviewing with us! Can you share your story on how did you get started in the film industry?
When I was seventeen, I tried to gather a team of people I didn’t know personally, but I knew I wanted to work with them as I knew their work. I was lucky to have Götz Otto, an international actor who made lots of famous American movies and who is a star in his own country. Then, step by step, I tried to do things bigger and bigger for each short film, until the last one, for which I wanted to go beyond the usual limits of a short film. I was annoyed to hear that a short can’t be like a feature or even an indie blockbuster. I hope my movie shows it is possible.
​
Who are you grateful towards your success and can you share a story about that?
I am grateful to every person in my team! And all the others who were on my path and participated in the movie success. And all the actors who worked with me. First of all, Götz Otto and then Matt Passmore, who flew from LA to Paris to make a 13-minute short, that’s not usual! And of course all the cast of Divertimento.
​
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? How did you overcome it?
The set on Divertimento so far. We shot in an 18th-century castle with giant rooms and long corridors. It needed a bigger team and a larger number of lightings than before. Otherwise, that would have been impossible.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
We celebrated Torrey’s birthday at the end of the first day of shooting. It was very delightful and also, I could say, a bit eerie as it was midnight and we were encircled by all the team and as well Kellan, Brittany and Götz in the dark old castle lit by candles and some chandeliers. The very old large format paintings on the walls. It kind of remembered an ‘Eyes Wide shut’ atmosphere, there was something unreal in this!
​
What are your ‘‘things I do to prepare for the job/project”?
Well, before the shooting, I make sure the direction of the movie is clear for everyone, particularly actors. We discuss together to answer any questions they might have. I work closely with the DP, show him which atmospheres, colours, lightings I have in mind. I ask the music composers to make several music tracks, even if they could change a bit later. That allows us to have the beginning of a mood. Of course, I explain to everyone the shots we’re going to have, and I even do producer jobs as well as lots of other things.
​
What methods or techniques do you use to find truth in your characters’ behaviours?
For all the three movies, I made a structure between reality and imagination. It allowed me to go deep inside the character’s mind and understand their feelings and their regrets. It is very psychological, and I like when cinema has the power to show the thoughts of the characters visually, what’s happening inside of themselves! That’s something which is related to the truth, you know, as in real life, obviously, we don’t only speak, — we think or feel as well.
For Divertimento though, I used another writing technique. I wanted to amplify the emotions and what’s happening. But, you know, when you amplify or exaggerate a bit something, it just gives the idea that it’s something general or common for everyone who can identify with the material. Think of a movie The Game which shows a very exaggerated game or simply, tales. Everyone identifies themselves in tales, but are tales the truth?
​
What are your top tips for filmmakers that are starting out?
I think you need a good story. Or a good story. Or maybe a good story. And also an idea how you want to film it.
​
What has been inspiring you lately?
Lately, I was writing a song for the first time. So I listened to lots of songs. It was a joyful experience.
What movie would you recommend watching and why?
Oh, lots of movies! I cannot wait to watch the new ‘Honest Thief’ (Argonaut Entertainment Partners, dir. Mark Williams, 2020) with Liam Neeson! I would recommend all the Hitchcock movies, for sure, Fincher also made great thrillers everyone knows. Also, Christopher Nolan.
I love dramas when they have a good story and pace. For example, ‘The Greatest’ (Barbarian Films, dir. Shana Feste, 2009), starring Pierce Brosnan, is so sincere! You laugh and cry in ‘Love is all you need’ (Zentropa Productions, dir. Susanne Bier, 2012) and ‘Remember Me’ (Summit Entertainment, dir. Allen Coulter, 2010) with Robert Pattinson as well is a gem. ‘Begin Again’ (Exclusive Media Group, dir. John Carney, 2013) with Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo is also a great song movie. I think people kind of forgot it a bit, but it’s really good.
​
What is one message you would give to your fans?
The majority of my fans are fans of the actors I’ve worked with. So I’m very grateful they like my work and sometimes are keen to watch my other movies without their favourite actor, that’s cool!
