Hear The Doors, a new independent film by brother-sister team Leonora and Jonathan Moore was unleashed on the world on 21st to an invited audience at The Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester.
The film which is shown mostly in black and white treats the audience to a front row seat in the unique journey of Katz, a young boy living in a reality ruled by the walls that surround him. We follow Katz from door to door making a series of choices that lead to an exploration of his world, and what lies beyond those doors.
We touch on a wide range of themes such as learning, exploration, existentialism and whether we are driven by a creator. Although we are not given any answers, Katz’s arc bestows a sense of satisfaction; his knowledge and comprehension of his life develop so that he is a noticeably different character by the end of the film.
Oh, and it’s spoken in a new language dubbed ‘Doorjan’. This was developed by the writers, further enriching the world that has been created for the film.
This is what many would call student film. That is not to say that it was made by students, but is a study of the themes and philosophies that drive the storyline. You are given a sense that the creators of the film want answers to the questions posed as much as the characters and the audience. That is what makes the film work so well – we are all in the same boat.
At times, there is a lack of pace in the storytelling. Many of the scenes revisit the same motif, one mirroring the next. This is saved by the introduction of colour and visual effects, giving the viewer some beautiful images to spark their interest.
The project exists as the result of the collaboration of many minds and talents. Each member of the team played a vital role in the creation of the whole. And they were all recognised with equal enthusiasm as the credits rolled and the audience howled cries of appreciation. From the set designers and builders, to the creator of an incredible CGI sequence towards the middle of the piece, this film would not be the same without each contributor.
Following the screening, several members of the team were invited onto the stage to discuss the process. The two young actors Oscar Bennett (Katz) and Gaia Ottman (‘Girl’) were not fazed as they were asked questions by the crowd, and were happy to reveal their best and worst moments during filming (apparently the set was somewhat of a maze, and the fourth cast member Tiny the Gecko was a welcome distraction).
Veteran linguist and performer George Manuell (‘Grandpa’) was also given the credit he deserved for an innovative performance in such a limited physical space.
When asked ‘What’s next?’ Leo and Jonny confirmed that the film would be submitted to the Sundance Film Festival, as well as other festivals which take a kindly view on ‘unusual’ films. There are also plans for another movie that is to be filmed abroad. These two are a duo to watch out for. Their bright minds will hopefully be challenging cinemagoers on a larger scale in the near future.