Night cap with Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves

Interview with Chintis Lundgren, director of Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves

What inspired you to tell the story of the wolf Toomas, a former engineer who has become a gigolo?
My previous film, Manivald, was very slow-paced and quiet. I wanted to do something wilder and crazier for my next project, something in the vein of Russ Meyer’s sexploitation movies. Also, since I’m trying to create a universe of characters and Toomas was already present in Manivald, as a side character, I thought it would be interesting to explore who he really is and why he bedded Manivald and his mother.

Can you tell us a bit about your animation style?
I animate on paper and later photograph it with a digital camera, then colour and edit on computer. In terms of acting and layout, I like to keep things minimal and simple. I feel that too many animated films lack subtlety, especially when it comes to showing emotions. I don’t think it’s necessary to be so literal with everything, sometimes it’s better to let the film happen in the viewer’s head.

Your film has been selected in many film festivals worldwide. How do you feel about this and what are your plans for the future?
I feel great about that! Right now me and my co-writer (Draško Ivezić) are in the middle of writing a TV-series, starring the characters from my last three films. This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time but never really had enough time to properly focus on. We still don’t have any funding for it though.

What sort of freedom would you say the short format allows?
There’s less pressure of failing.

What do you consider your cinematographic references?
Priit Pärn, Aki Kaurismäki. For this film also Russ Meyer.

Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves is part of International Competition I11.