Louise from 9 to 5 Film Spotlight

Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film Louise from 9 to 5 directed by Julien G. Marcotte as part of the Pendance Film Festival.

What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

The title of the film is Louise from 9 to 5. Since the story is inspired by a event my mother lived, I wanted to put her first name in the title. From 9 to 5 refers to her work schedule, from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening.

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

As I mentioned, this story of harassment is based on true events. Obviously, it has been dramatized for narrative reasons.

I was about 18 years old when my mother, herself a human resources consultant, was threatened in the workplace. Later, when I was about 23 and looking for inspiration for a social story set in a modern company, I thought about it again.

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

I am a great film lover, particularly fond of European cinema. For the tone and the sobriety of the direction, I was inspired by one of my favorite filmmakers, Michael Haneke. For the aspect of the moral dilemma experienced by the protagonist, from Asghar Farhadi. For the aspect of the presentation of an alienating corporate universe, from the film The Assistant (Kitty Green).

What is the goal of the film for you?

More than a goal, there was the desire to stage a universe not very present in short films. I often joke that it is “an office movie”. Which is quite true.

I wanted to talk about workplaces, power relationships, conflicts between employees, companies that promote competition between its departments, an unhealthy work environment in which employees are harassed by their bosses to such an extent that they turn against each other.

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

The process of making the film was rather long. First there were several versions of the script, about ten. As this was my first short film, I learned how to write scripts while working on this project. I had to familiarize myself with the different narrative and dramatic techniques. Fortunately, I was well surrounded and had the help of mentors who helped me write the best version of the idea I had in mind. Then there were requests for funding that were turned down. In Quebec, it is the government that gives grants to produce films. After the rejections, we decided to make the film independently. But the confinement due to COVID-19 occurred only a few weeks before the shooting. So we postponed production for eight months.

The post-production, however, went more smoothly. We received a grant from the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec, which allowed us to receive excellent services in editing, color grading, mixing, and distribution. In all, between the initial idea and the realization of the project, three years went by. I am proud of the path we have taken with my team. It was difficult, often discouraging, but very rewarding.

One thing you learned from this project?

I learned countless things while making this film. My academic training was mostly theoretical. The practical aspects of filmmaking I learned on the spot. So everything that has to do with the different steps involved in preparing a shoot, the shoot itself (and especially the functioning of a film set), and then the multiple elements of post-production. I experienced all of this for the first time on Louise from 9 to 5.

But if I had to mention only one thing, it would be the awareness of a gap, a real distance, between the mise en scène imagined before the shooting and the one that results from it, the one we observe in the editing room. The reality of the shooting, all the obstacles and limitations encountered, means that one must always adapt. Necessarily, what we imagine is not the final product. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. The work of a director is not only intellectual, the fruit of a thoughtful reflection but also of an ability to act, to take decisions quickly, and under pressure.

How can folks find you and your film online?

For the moment, in festival. You can follow his journey on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/louisede9a5.courtmetrage. Later, in September, on Unis TV (https://www.tv5unis.ca/)

As for me, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulienGamacheMarcotte

or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliengmarcotte/?hl=fr

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

I don’t think I’m in the best position to give advice, since I’ve only directed one short film. But I think one attribute that helped me a lot in this process was my discipline.

Every morning I take one to three hours to write. It can be a script, project ideas, dialogue lines, etc. Then I make sure I always complete the tasks necessary to move the project forward. I make lists, schedules, and dedicate myself to them every day. I love what I do, so it’s not, most of the time, unpleasant.

The Pendance Film Festival runs from March 10-13, 2022.

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