Movie Info
Runtime: 1h 19m
Video Format: Apple ProRes 4444 - 23.97 fps
Audio Format: WAV - 48,000 Hz - 24 bits - 2 channels
Budget: $20,000
Director’s Statement
State started with an article about one of the darkest, most decisive moments in American history and a character so burdened by their involvement that, decades later, they succumb to their guilt. Anguish and despair can reveal themselves in the most unlikely circumstances. State is also the story of a young man struggling to come to grips with PTSD and seeking their estranged girlfriend - anything can be a trigger.
The script was developed with the belief that our personal and shared histories are not always distinguishable. While the allusions to the old man’s past and his struggles with his lost family life added to the tragedy of the story that I hope will make it powerful and emotional, the manifestations of the young man’s trauma and his attempt to find his girlfriend added to the intrigue that I hope will also make it tense and suspenseful. The montage sections of the script connect these characters to a larger shared traumatic history.
The basic action is like two trains colliding: the old man preparing to end his life; the young man hanging onto reality and obsessed with reaching his girlfriend. The young man’s story is a psychological thriller, the obstacles are external: murder, war, violence, and reality. The old man’s story is a brooding suspense, the obstacles are internal: memory, guilt, suicide, and death. To the young man, hiding behind a mask is a necessity to combat the obstacle of finding his girlfriend. To the old man, shame and the feeling of abandonment are unbearable. Ultimately, their journeys lead to a violent reckoning.
The experience I’m most trying to communicate with State is that of diving. The feeling of descending into a cave and finding twilight at the edge of an opening. While this film has trauma, violence, and death, it’s about transformation and misunderstanding, and how absurd the world can seem when time stands still. While the story is intimate, I did not approach it as a “small” film, or even an “indie” film. I only get to tell this story once, so I wanted it to be uncompromising and innovative, to try and connect deeply with each audience member.
Doing all the post-production myself has been the most challenging experience of my life - the highest highs and the lowest lows. I feel like I swam through the nebulous recesses of my subconscious: submerged in a battle between the mythical gods, demons and doppelgängers of my imagination, confronted with and by the vengeful spirit of my own soul; often paralyzed by the uncertainty of knowing whose side I was on. I wish I could put it more simply, or less insanely, but it is the best description I can give based on my experience. There were times when I wanted to destroy the film and others when I felt that it was the most beautiful thing I could imagine. I hope that you get to see a bit of both when you watch.
Alain Nouvel
04/2019