Staff Pick: "The Tunnel" by Arash Ashtiani
In this week's Staff Pick Premiere, "The Tunnel," BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Arash Ashtiani tells the harrowing tale of three refugees battling for their lives along the Euro Tunnel linking France and the UK.
Informed by real-life accounts The film remains unaffected in its depiction of the bravery and risk that is unjustly demanded from many millions of people fighting for fundamental human rights. "The Tunnel" plunges us into the third and tense act of a larger story Ashtiani is writing alongside co-writer Daniel Metz. However, it stands by itself as an enthralling and chilling story of how far three individuals will go to in seach of a better life.
Ashtiani describes his experiences he heard in preparing for the documentary in terms of "rollercoasters" of physical and emotional tension. In the film, the feeling of this is captured through the immersive production layout of the tunnel and the precise editing that oscillates between the camaraderie formed between the men in the tunnel, their fear growing that the train has a chance to pass as well as the quiet at the train station.
In advance of the film's release, we reached out to Ashtiani for more information about the film as well as his procedure. Take a look for a deeper analysis of how he came up with the idea off such an engaging and dramatic film.
on the source of inspiration for the movie:
"'The Tunnel' is the result of an actual account. My circle of friends from London is comprised of people who have come to the UK in many different ways and in some of the most heroic and horrific ways in the past two decades. One topic we discuss is the way we each arrived in the UK and how some are directly from Calais to Kent using different methods of transport.
As I heard their stories and heard their stories, I was inspired to tell them. Their tales can be described as a rollercoaster ride of events and emotions to me. They face challenges and the hopes they pursue their hearts set on, the determination to get moving and the passion. It's got hardship, physical and mental exhaustion and moments when their humanity is tested. It's got laughter and life in the darkest moment and these are the very things have inspired me to write this film ."
On the writing process:
"'The Tunnel' is the last part in the film script that Daniel Metz and I wrote with Daniel Metz. The two previous acts are based on the men who are who are in Calais getting ready to manage the Tunnel. The first draft of the feature script in 2015. Then we created the short and currently are writing the second draft of our feature script.
We didn't want to make an anti-refugee film However, during the research and script writing, we talked to the individuals who lived living in Calais and reached the UK. We read the memoirs of refugees who have written their stories, watched documentaries, plays and films on the camps of Calais as well as the lives of people who live there."
The production design and cinematography:
"From the beginning of the writing process We had this concern about where to shoot the tunnel. We were aware of some details about the actual EuroTunnel and although we were keen to capture what was unique about the tunnel, we weren't going to limit ourselves to these particulars. After months of location hunting, we came to the conclusion that it was better to shoot at the studio. The challenge was how to design extensions on each side of the stage.
Mike McLouglin, our production designer, did an amazing job in re-creating an area of the tunnel inside the studio. Nick Morris, our DP was awestruck by how he shot the scene. One of the biggest challenges was to design extensions for every side of the stage to view the tunnel as an infinite black space. Mike added an extension using the brilliant idea of placing a mirror on each end to ensure that when you look at either end, it can view the infinite tunnel. Mike created the scale model of the tunnel and we used an Hornby Eurostar model train with a tiny lens attached to it to shoot footage of the train as it traveled through the tunnel. It seemed bonkers, but when Static VFX then brought their expertise and magic into the post-production process, it began to look and feel incredible.
We decided to move closer and closer to our principal character over time as the years went through. Each time we make a cut from the station to the tunnel, we get closer to the main character , and this helps create an experience that is more personal to the tunnel and the fearless attempt to run it ."
When editing the film:
"The editing of the film was among the most fascinating aspects of the process. One of the main objectives I had was for ways to build suspense and tension. My co-writer Daniel Metz and I had planned it in the script but I was able understand this when editing the script and I have to thank the editor of the film Stuart Gazzard for this.
In the process of editing, I learned what kind of information to gradually introduce in order to build suspense. The film was shot by Gare of Nord Station footage along with the model train once the rough cut. The editing process shaped the film by defining the main character, making suspenseful and also how the film moves."
The challenge in creating the film
"I believe that, generally filmmaking is a challenge. One of the main problems filmmakers face is finding the money they need to create their films. It took me a couple of years to identify producers. Anna Seifert-Speck was the director of the program for Berlinale Talent Campus where she saw me present my idea and brought me in contact with Anna Griffin. Together , we raised money through The BFI Network and Lush Film Fund.
The approach to shooting running or action scenes differs than emotional ones. This became more evident during shooting and the distinction came to light for me. As I reflect back on my shooting experience, I realized that I spent the equal amount of time in between action parts and more emotional scenes that could have been shot more effectively... I should bring the excitement and passion of the escape and the sequences into them by shooting them in the fastest and most intense duration and spending more time capturing the moment between the characters."
In hopes of the film:
"I think what continues to get worse is the growth of Nationalism and populist politicians in British and European government. It's the government that uses the anti refugees and xenophobe views for advantages in politics.
According to the latest British law, which was passed just several months ago, teenage male refugees, just like the characters of 'The Tunnel in the Tunnel' will be taken to Rwanda from now on to wait for their cases to be considered. It is my hope that viewers realize those going through the mud to reach the adored refugee camp of viewers are human beings and have desires for a better future, a peaceful and meaningful life. They flee their homes and countries either from war and religious fanaticism or the economic difficulties. The best thing for them is to receive decent treatment in order to become part of the community rather than being labelled as criminals.
I hope that by looking at a couple of strange characters in a strange setting or facing a problem due to human basic desires, the audience will recognize their commonality and recognize them as human beings."
On advice for filmmakers who want to make it:
"Filmmaking isn't a single-person job , and it's a collaborative work. Try to find people that inspire you to do what you're trying to achieve. Trust in their taste is essential for creative partnership. Trust comes from knowing people. Spend time with them in the amount you think you require, then listen to what they say, ask for them to talk about their top five films and determine if you connect with them or not. No matter if they are close to the film you want to make, but it helps you understand whether your worlds are close and if you share the same vision for your film.
Don't let the technical side of your story overwhelm you, don't compromise your story by focusing on the technical aspects.
Respect your coworkers, and don't be exigent!"
What's next?
"Developing The Tunnel movie feature is my next endeavor. The story of the characters up to the moment they walk into the tunnel. My co-writer, Daniel Metz, and me are currently working on the feature-length script based on the lessons we have learned during the making of the short.
I've just finished an feature-length documentary on the Iranian exiled poet Esmaeel Khoei, who passed away in London in 2021. The film is mostly based on the VHS tapes that he had accumulated during his early period of exile. The release date is October. ."