Carolyn Combs (Director)
We asked Carolyn why she made this film:
I have always liked the script and been moved by it. I think it is the inevitability of the loss that brother and sister must face that I find particularly moving. I genuinely felt for the characters, and wanted to know more about them - their lives, their histories, the themes they represent. I've been building up to it for a long time. Many years. Eventually, I felt ready to really do it, and believed we had the right cast and crew.
Are you happy with the film?
Yes. Very. The work has continued to grow with every new stage of the production. We worked hard on the script development, then on casting, rehearsals and shooting, then on editing, music and post, and at every turn it has felt as if nothing has been lost but something new and special has been gained. It's been a wonderful experience that way.
What kind of director are you?
My initial focus is on the relationships between characters. I am always seeking how best to find and express change within the primary relationships. Once that direction is established, I think of myself as a facilitator, someone responsible for creating the environment where all the many artists can do their best work.
What is the central theme of Acts of Imagination?
The script is many layered, and I like it for that reason. Lots of ideas. But the central theme is revealed through Katya's emotional arc. It is the recognition of the mutual influence between historical analysis and imagination, and the role of imagination in shifting from historical obligation to present responsibility. I think, by the end of the film, Katya has moved to a place where she can more easily acknowledge those around her, in the present moment.
Will you make other films?
I would like to. We, the writer and I, are currently developing two new screenplays. The first is fairly well along, the other is in earlier stages. But our focus right now is Acts of Imagination. Perhaps, if its well received, it will be a bit easier to move forward.
Biography
The work of Carolyn Combs captures memorable characters in contemporary landscapes. She is currently in post-production on a short film (Small Currents) and has two feature films and two dramatic television series in development. Her debut feature, Acts of Imagination (2006), received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and was subsequently invited to numerous international festivals, theatrically released in Canada, and broadcast nationally on Super Channel. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Manitoba, and is a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Director’s Program.
