Olga Loginova: Volte, Sacred Leaves

Episode #14 - Olga Loginova is an incredible collaborator  and artist who speaks poetically and with no filter. She is a director, producer, and cinematographer who recently graduated from Columbia where she learned to make scientific documentaries. Originally from Belarus with Russian roots, she has chiseled her vision of a storyteller through rigorous training in Germany, China, and the U.S.A., as well as by traveling and reporting across continents.

She chose the stunning short film Volte, a 10 minute coming of age documentary from Poland. Olga talks about how she resonates with the film because “as a child  I danced, and very soon I became too tall. I was lagging behind because I was too big, too big, too big.” This film is made in the Slavic school of teaching “where every shot is perfect.” Olga describes this film as “the difference between trying to document something and art. This is art.” This eastern European documentary that was picked up by the New York Times Op-Docs.

Olga also brought her feature Sacred Leaves The documentary is about the wonders of the Amazon rainforest and the constant destruction it faces for human profit. Olga talks about how her interest in the Amazon grew from how climate change in Brazil changes people’s lives as it does in her own ancestral lands of Siberia. There are countless adventure stories from her seventeen days of shooting, which she covers in addition to discussing characters who come “once in a century,” and what surprised her most. She shot the film before the wildfires hit, and offers insight into the many sources of deforestation that led to the rainforest’s current state. She plans to return to Brazil in the winter to show the film.

Olga herself is a character who comes once in a lifetime, and we were thrilled to have her international talents. Enjoy the episode.

Episode hosted by Justin Joseph Hall.

Olga Loginova - Director/Cinematographer

Olga Loginova - Director/Cinematographer

Credits:
Host - Justin Joseph Hall

Production Company & Location - Fourwind Films

Andi Obarski: Overslept, Thelma

Episode #13 - Andi Obarski is a cinematographer who brings a great mixture of lightheartedness and practical insight to us not only on this podcast, but also on set. She is a hard worker and a team player more knowledgeable than most.

For her short film Andi chose “Overslept” which is part of an internet series called “Countdown.” The unifying element between each short in Countdown is a character dealing with a serious time constraint. Andi describes the series as “scrappy, Brooklyn indie filmmaking at its finest.” She chose this 4 ½ minute short because there is no dialogue which created a welcome challenge for her as the film's cinematographer. The audience talk with Andi about the type of lighting used, bystanders who didn’t know they were on a film set, Andi’s feelings about what ended up on the cutting room floor, and more.

The feature film is Thelma, an LGBTQ supernatural thriller directed by Joachim Trier. Andi chose the film for its stunning cinematography, and also because “it’s kinda gay. I like that. I like gay things.” We do too, Andi. We do too.

RSVP or inquire at info@fourwindfilms.com about hosting Feature & a short or attending one of our podcast viewing parties. 

Episode hosted by Justin Joseph Hall.

Andi Obarski - Cinematographer

Andi Obarski - Cinematographer

Credits:

Host - Justin Joseph Hall

Production Company & Location - Fourwind Films

Bruce Lithimane: Échappé, Postman Blues

Episode #8 - Creative director and cinematographer from Iowa and a film buff, Bruce Lithimane presents at Fourwind headquarters. Échappé was his choice for the short.  It stars Olesya Senchenko and was directed by Allison Mattox.  Bruce was Second Assistant Camera and Steadicam Operator for the short which is a visually incredible Russian ballet story.  Bruce takes us through the struggle with a camera rig and dance with ballerinas.  Next he took us through the Japanese mixed genre feature film, Postman Blues.  It is a funny and sometimes disturbing flick that Bruce wants to rewrite into a modern Brooklyn based adaptation.

Follow Bruce's vision through his lens on instagram.  Also shout out to VidMob who let us borrow Bruce from his normal duties in the office as lead talent acquisition.

Credits:

Host - Justin Joseph Hall

Location & Production Company - Fourwind Films

Bruce Lithimane - Camera Operator/Cinematographer, photo by Daria Huxley

Bruce Lithimane - Camera Operator/Cinematographer, photo by Daria Huxley

Gary Jaquez: Abuela's Luck, Children of Men

Episode #7 - Gary Jaquez is a freelance Cinematographer based in Los Angeles.  He shoots with Fourwind often.  He was the Cinematographer on our last 2 short films.  Gary chose to present Fourwind's latest release, Abuela's Luck.  He takes us through wearing multiple hats and creative decision making on set.  He also flips the table during the event discussion and asked other people present about their roles in Abuela's Luck.  He then takes us through his hero Emmanuel Lubezki's famous Children of Men and gives us further explanation on why he's an important role model for a Latino in Hollywood.

To follow Gary's future set escapades, check out his instagram for Behind The Scenes shots on his major projects.  The next short film he worked on, Prologue, will be released by Fourwind Films later this year.

Credits:

Host - Justin Joseph Hall

Location & Production Company - Fourwind Films

Gary Jaquez - Cinematographer, photo by Daria Huxley

Gary Jaquez - Cinematographer, photo by Daria Huxley