background img

Dreams & Jung: An Interview with Hector Ayuso (OFFF Festival)

Originally described as a “post-digital culture festival,” OFFF has since transformed into something much larger and more enigmatic. More than just an event, it serves as a means of connecting scores of brilliant artists, while inspiring, creating and teaching artists all over the world. This year, for the very first time, filmmaker and OFFF-founder Hector Ayuso wrote and directed the Open Titles (a short film that reflects the general aesthetic or themes) for OFFF Mexico, and the result was mesmerizing. Ayuso’s deep interest in the analyses of Carl Gustav Jung and the creative meaning of our unconscious thoughts lead him to create a truly evocative and beautiful piece of film that blends the real and the surreal in a subtle yet powerful way. We were naturally interested in learning about how this imaginative sequence came to be created, so we asked Ayuso some questions about his interests and ideas.

Open Titles for OFFF Mexico 2014 by Héctor Ayuso from OFFF, let’s feed the future on Vimeo.

The finished product is really beautiful and also rather haunting. Did the image sequences come from personal memories — or what was culled from dreams and your sub-conscious — or were they created for artistic purposes? Either way, the idea of random, yet not-so-random images is relayed perfectly. 

The image sequences, most of them, come from real memories along with personal dreams. Those moving images serve to narrate the idea of daydreaming and its purpose. I wanted to visualize those moments we receive whenever we daydream, you know, when we try to sleep and close our eyes and tons of images come to our minds? We think they’re random but their existence is actually a reason for us to embrace them and use them for creative purposes.

© Hector Ayuso_OpenTitles_8

Visually, this is truly stunning. Can you explain your decision to use the 6K RED DRAGON, and tell us a little bit about how it functions and what makes it superior? 

I have to admit, working with the 6K RED DRAGON always brings pleasure and ultimate fun! The reason for working with such an awesome camera is because it gives such an impressive WDR (wide dynamic range), which allows you to work and play with the coloring in post-production. It also gives you the opportunity to re-frame some of the shots without losing quality.

I noticed the special thanks to Harmony Korine in the credits, and I have to ask – is this related to the awesome unicorn/DTF hoodie worn by the young woman?

Harmony Korine is in the credits is because he’s been a huge inspiration for me for many years. Ever since his first movie, Harmony’s work has been and still is influential. Of course, the DTF hoodie from Spring Breakers serves as an homage, but it did not have an exact purpose. I think Harmony is the most innovative, inspiring and honest narrator.

 I understand that you spent many years learning about Jung, dreams and the subconscious. Do you remember what first drew you to these concepts and ideas?

I’ve been working with a Jungian therapist for more than 10 years. I discovered Jung and his analysis with her, which made me learn and study about him and even when I stopped working with her, I kept following his steps as a guide for my self-being.

Is there a particular aspect of this study that resonates with or fascinates you the most? 

The way he sees your dreams and nightmares — especially nightmares — and how he teaches you to accept this side of yourself and not be creeped out by it. This was one of the biggest changes in my life — the ability to embrace the demons inside of you, learn from them and learn to keep going on with your life, with their existence. Because in the end they are part of you, all those nightmares and freaky moving images that you receive, they’re all a part of your process.

Do you have any plans to expand this short, or at least the ideas behind it, into a feature-length film?

Definitely! The last shot of this piece is the trigger for and the beginning of the next one. I’m currently working on my next project, which is going to be a feature film based on a very exciting narrative experiment.

OFFF Festival

Hector Ayuso

Twitter



Other articles you may like

Leave a Comment