An American art student locked down in Paris during the pandemic pursues a risky connection with an older Frenchman she meets on Tinder. // Apps and the pandemic have changed dating forever, but we are still the same love-hungry animals, easily blinded by desire. This film explores the new dynamic.
An American art student locked down in Paris during the pandemic pursues a risky connection with an older Frenchman she meets on Tinder. // Apps and the pandemic have changed dating forever, but we are still the same love-hungry animals, easily blinded by desire. This film explores the new dynamic.
-
Story
Mission Statement
We are International film students, collaborating across borders and cultural differences to develop as artists and make work that seeks to unearth the taboo, challenge societal expectations, comfort the lonely, and unite us all in exploration of life and film.About The Project
WHAT IT IS
T'es Belle
*Production & Post scheduled for June 2022 with ESRA Paris International*
Rose is a lonely student in a foreign country, looking for love in a lockdown.
Will she find her dream romance or will her desperation lead to danger?
WHY IT IS
What lengths can someone go to for the validation, romance, and comfort of another?
During the first Covid-19 lockdown, I, like many others found myself experiencing a level of desire for human contact unlike ever before. As a foreigner locked down in a city where I knew no one, and with bars, gyms, libraries, etc. closed, my main source of human contact were dates with people I met online. Illegal dates, because I would leave the permitted one-kilometer radius to meet them (at the height of the lockdown, Paris forbid journeys outside of a one-kilometer radius). Dangerous dates, because there were no public spaces for our first meeting. And dates where I found myself vulnerable, being in a foreign culture and in a second language. These experiences inspired the idea for my film, T’es Belle.
^ A bridge in Paris, at night ^
T’es Belle is about an isolated and lonely person attempting to find love in a period of utter desperation. She will compromise her own safety and suppress her gut feeling when a thread of hope is extended to her - hope for the dream idea of romance that she believes will save her. Her story is timely - made potent by the context of the first lockdown and the existence of dating apps - but it is timeless as well. It is so deeply ingrained in us, be it socially or biologically, to pursue bonding with another human, sometimes we do so at the cost of ourselves. I make this film for every person who has ever felt like the main character; pathetic & lonely enough to self-abandon and to insist on believing in something that is so obviously a lie. I am also just curious as to why we act so irrationally when lonely and looking for love, and I want to reflect upon it in this film.
**These drawings are from Elizaveta Vinogradova, in our Art Department. The main character of this story is also an artist and draws the love that she desires**.
HOW IT IS
The main character of this film is a dreamer, and her imagination is in overdrive during the withering solitude and boredom of the lockdown. The film thus will have a whimsical mood, with some dialogues and lighting being from her POV - dreamy, romantic, poetic. It will have comedic moments, as she awkwardly stumbles into the culture of French dating. It will have a dark tone as well, when she is in the throes of her despair and when the stark pain of reality hits.
^ The main character is enchanted by francophone culture and the romance of Paris, even as it is warped, tense, and empty in the lockdown.
HOW TO HELP:
We've got insurance, locations, equipment, and crew from our school - this campaign is to raise money to pay for food, transport, art department, actor stipends, and film submission fees.
We need help spreading the word!
Sign up to follow this campaign then share it with all you know!
You can copy this text for a social media post or e-mail - or write your own:
"Excited to support the next generation of International filmmakers by sharing this campaign for the short film T'es Belle! Set in romantic Paris during the dismal loneliness of the Covid-19 lockdown, the film explores the danger and necessity of dreaming for love. Click this link to learn more and follow along."
(and then insert the link :D)
You can also include our thumbnail image and Instagram handle @tesbelle_film
OTHER:
You can see links to the other films Eva has directed here:
Incentives
$5
Social Media Shoutout
Just after your donation, a personalized and heartfelt thank you from the creators of our film will be shared on social media!
$25
Personalized Poster
Receive a personalized digital version of our poster with your name on it, that you can share with the world so everyone knows that you are helping make this movie!
(as well as a social media shoutout!)
$50
Name in Credits
See your name on the big screen!
Also get a social media shout out and personalized poster.
$75
A Rose by any other name...
This was a hit with Eva's last crowdfunding!
A poem written by Eva for you or a loved one.
You can choose the theme or she'll choose one tailored to you.
One long poem, (around 15 lines) or two short poems (around 7 lines each)
(plus your name in the credits, a social media shout out, and a personalized poster!)
$150
Birth Chart Reading OR Language lesson
Eva is completely obsessed with astrology and reads birth charts with satisfying accuracy. You'll get a scheduled reading with her (one hour, in person or on zoom, depending on location) and leave with your chart and a whole bunch of notes.
OR you can use the hour for a French or English lesson if you're an astrology skeptic. Eva is certified C2 in French and is a native English speaker with a TEFL and 5+ years of teaching experience. (Not surprising, considering her chart is most influenced by Mercury, the planet of communication).
(Plus you get the poems, the poster, the shoutout, and the name in the credits!)
$250
Personalized Set Greeting
We will record an EXCLUSIVE sneak peak on set JUST for you, where ALL the cast and crew says THANK YOU!!!
(Plus all of the other incentives toooooo!)
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Social Media Shoutout
Just after your donation, a personalized and heartfelt thank you from the creators of our film will be shared on social media!
$25
Personalized Poster
Receive a personalized digital version of our poster with your name on it, that you can share with the world so everyone knows that you are helping make this movie!
(as well as a social media shoutout!)
$50
Name in Credits
See your name on the big screen!
Also get a social media shout out and personalized poster.
$75
A Rose by any other name...
This was a hit with Eva's last crowdfunding!
A poem written by Eva for you or a loved one.
You can choose the theme or she'll choose one tailored to you.
One long poem, (around 15 lines) or two short poems (around 7 lines each)
(plus your name in the credits, a social media shout out, and a personalized poster!)
$150
Birth Chart Reading OR Language lesson
Eva is completely obsessed with astrology and reads birth charts with satisfying accuracy. You'll get a scheduled reading with her (one hour, in person or on zoom, depending on location) and leave with your chart and a whole bunch of notes.
OR you can use the hour for a French or English lesson if you're an astrology skeptic. Eva is certified C2 in French and is a native English speaker with a TEFL and 5+ years of teaching experience. (Not surprising, considering her chart is most influenced by Mercury, the planet of communication).
(Plus you get the poems, the poster, the shoutout, and the name in the credits!)
$250
Personalized Set Greeting
We will record an EXCLUSIVE sneak peak on set JUST for you, where ALL the cast and crew says THANK YOU!!!
(Plus all of the other incentives toooooo!)
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
We are International students at ESRA Paris. We come from all over the world - Chile, Latvia, Norway, India, and Egypt, just to name a few - and range in ages from 17 to 30. We all have a variety of backgrounds - some just finished high school, some are coming from a film school in another country, and some have been working, some have been traveling. We all share a passion for filmmaking and a hunger to learn, collaborate, and make the best project possible.
We are also collaborating with Bad Influences Productions:
"At Bad Influences, we are artists who represent artists, with the aim of generating collaboration across continents and giving you every tool you need to make your next project a reality."
-
Media
Videos
Images
-
Community
Supporters
Followers
