Filmmaker Jean-Christophe Gonon, author of the multi-award winning documentary “10 rounds” looks back on his experience as a juror at the SMR13 International Independent Film Festival and talks about his upcoming projects.
Never throw away gloves. Jean-Christophe Gonon knows what it is like to defend a project, alone against almost everyone. The author of the remarkable and noted documentary film “10 rounds” had to fight to establish himself.
Independent director and producer, the Lignanais followed for two months, in 2021, the preparation of boxer Mike Esteves for the French championship which he competed in and won.
Olivier Marchal, president of the jury
His 43-minute “doc” garnered no less than 34 awards at various festivals around the world. Last year, it was selected at the SMR13 International Independent Film Festival, in Mitre-les-Remparts, near Marseille. “and this year, I was invited as a member of the jury in the “feature film” category.
A jury chaired, for this 9e edition, by Olivier Marchal, a figure well known to film buffs and the general public for his dark and twilight thrillers, such as 36 quai des Orfèvres, MR73 or The Lyonnais.
Existing outside the networks
“It’s a festival which takes place every year at the end of November and which is supported at arm’s length by Afci, the French Association of Independent Films, which brings together cinema enthusiasts. And Olivier Marchal has proven to be a “ “very pleasant traveling companion. He is friendly, very approachable and frank. And he knows better than anyone what the work of an independent person is.”
Because it is difficult for a filmmaker to exist outside of production or distribution networks. “We must do everything, smiles Jean-Christophe Gonon. You have to figure it out, organize yourself to find funding, prepare the logistics for filming. On “10 rounds”, I was the director, the editor, the creator of the musical soundtrack and I handled the promotion. It took me a year!”
Be taken seriously
A festival like SMR13 “allows you to meet people, share experiences and advice, create connections, open a few doors. Because the limits of self-production are that we are not necessarily taken seriously.”
His film on the journey of Mike Esteves is now part of the catalog of the production and distribution company Indeprod Films, which works for cinema and television. And Jean-Christophe Gonon is currently working on writing two short film scripts and a documentary.
A doc about a mystery artist
“The two shorts are original screenplays that I co-wrote with my partner, Romy Vernhet.” As for the documentary, it would focus on a great French artist. “We often reduce the careers of famous people to a few hits. I would like to paint a truly sincere, human-centered portrait of them.” As for the name of this personality, it is for the moment a secret, it is time for talks. Fingers crossed…
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