As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours traversing the labyrinth of film festivals and cinemas alike, I must say that “On Falling” is a remarkable debut for Laura Carreira. Her personal connection to the world of work, particularly through her experiences in Scotland, lends an authenticity to this poignant exploration of Aurora’s life.
Within the intricate maze of shelves at an Edinburgh fulfillment center, a solitary worker named Aurora (Joana Santos), originally from Portugal, spends her time scanning an assortment of goods ranging from sex toys to office trinkets. Aurora’s struggle with adapting to life in Scotland is explored deeply in Laura Carreira’s first feature film, “On Falling.”
Making its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by a run in the main competition at San Sebastián, the film “On Falling” further delves into the psychological impact of work, a theme Carreira previously addressed in the acclaimed short films “Red Hill” and “The Shift.” Speaking with EbMaster, Carreira reflected on their first job experience in Scotland, stating, “Starting work there was pivotal in my introduction to the world of employment. It was a significant shock that has continued to shape my perspective ever since.”
“Reflecting on life, I believe it could be significantly more vibrant and creative if we didn’t solely define ourselves by our jobs. My films, I must admit, stem from this very sentiment. It seems that the surge in our worries and the struggle to discover personal purpose and meaning is a result of this confinement, particularly since many of us work tirelessly just to get by.”
In my experience, taking on “On Falling” as a first feature was quite the daunting task. However, it was precisely these challenges that sparked innovative solutions. For instance, instead of having just one large warehouse for Aurora’s fulfilment center, we cleverly merged five separate warehouses. In post-production, these different spaces were seamlessly blended together. This was made possible thanks to our production designer who ensured a harmonious flow between the spaces, making it seem as if we had only moved within the same location.
Although setting the film in a place that felt true to the real-life ones that inspired “On Falling” was of great importance, it was even more vital to Carreira to write characters that felt just as real. To achieve that, the filmmaker spent months asking friends of friends to introduce her to local pickers, soon forming a large network of people willing to talk about the specificities and the challenges of the job.
“I wanted to know details about their work schedule, when they take breaks, if they have coworkers, essentially understanding their daily routines. This curiosity intensified after Carreira visited one of Scotland’s largest fulfillment centers during a public tour, which greatly influenced the scene depicted in the movie’s initial preview.”
“In 2023, when Ken Loach retired, ‘On Falling’ became one of Sixteen Films’s initial feature-length productions. This film shares many of the recurring themes that characterized Loach’s work, such as labor struggles, immigration, and class disparities. Carreira expressed his satisfaction about working with Sixteen Films, stating, “It’s crucial to collaborate with individuals who share your perspective, who are empathetic, and who aim to express their empathy through film. I feel truly blessed.”
Carreira referred to herself as “fortunate” when discussing her excitement about debuting her first work in Toronto. She expressed deep gratitude and noted that being accepted by festivals is significant because they are the initial audience, which is already a positive aspect. This upcoming event will be a novel experience for her, and she’s eager to engage with films and connect with filmmakers. Essentially, she’s looking forward to the entire festival experience.
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2024-09-06 13:17