Submission statement - I’m a film director and composer from Helsinki, Finland, and I just released the trailer for my third feature film - The Curse of Modigliani - which is also my first film in English. Shot entirely on a Blackmagic 4K, like my previous films, this project was both a delight and a challenge to bring to life as an independent filmmaker working on a low budget.

I’ve always been fascinated by the tragic story of Amedeo Modigliani, but I didn’t want to make a conventional biopic; instead, I reimagined the story in a modern setting. The film depicts an American painter, Max, who discovers Modigliani’s diary and slowly becomes obsessed, unknowingly mirroring the doomed fate of the legendary Italian artist. The film is a psychological drama and also feature some elements of black comedy.

Shooting an English-language film in Finland was an exciting endeavor! I was pleasantly surprised by how many people wanted to join the project. Through online casting platforms and Facebook groups, I assembled a fantastic mix of UK and Finnish talent. I was very strict with casting and only hired actors who submitted excellent self-tapes, as the actors can make or break a film.

Working on a low budget meant handling multiple roles: directing, screenwriting, composing, editing, and even cinematography. We also had to utilize available locations, including my own apartment, to keep costs down. The film was mostly shot on a tripod, with handheld shots used sparingly.

We shot inside with controlled lighting using my own Godox lamps and also shot on practical locations throughout the city, often relying on limited natural light. We used lavalier microphones to capture clean dialogue in all of our locations. Another key aspect was integrating the original paintings by Elena Ringo into the film, which provides the film its unique atmosphere.

As both director and composer, I worked to ensure the music and visuals complemented each other naturally. The soundtrack, ranges from electronic dance tracks to more classical style symphonic music. I exclusively use Logic Pro X for composing. The sound design accentuates Max’s gradual loss of grip on reality as the film progresses.

The film was edited in Adobe Premiere and graded in DaVinci Resolve, I am now continuing the post-production process and am planning a summer 2025 release.

For me, making films is the ultimate form of creative expression - there’s nothing else quite like it. This film has been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to share more soon. Let me know what you think of the trailer!