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An aspiring fashion designer at an isolated artist’s studio competes for a spot among the elite. Will she succeed in rebelling against that? "Catwalk" is a dystopian satire short film,
that explores the exploitation of artists, the value of friendship, the hunting of one's career success and the social integration within an imbalanced social system.
The film is set in a dystopian world of a private member’s club, which consists of two floors. Each of them represents the social classes; the runway on top floor, where designers show their costumes and the upper class where the elite belongs and the fashion studio, where working class, the designers produce their costumes and hope that they will become a part of the elite soon. By juxtaposition the two worlds, fashion is used as the text of the film, to explore the main subtext, which is the power of the integration of people in a vain system. Throughout the characters’ journeys we want to bring to the surface a question; can we really change the world, or does it have the power to change us? Helene, a unique figure, represents the new generation which it needs to succeed and be independent to secure her future. When she discovers that this competition is extremely toxic and not aim to support artists but entertain the elite, she attempts to organise a rebellion to break free. The audience, the elite of this society reflects the violence of criticism that we have for other people’s work, and how society integrate us to its system. Jessica, the best friend of Helene, represents the system, she doesn't only want to belong to the elite, but she wants to become the system. And then Jay, a queer gay, who realises that without the support of others, he will not be able to feel safe and supported to express himself. Catwalk is a metaphor of the world that we live, which has the power to interstate us even if artists attempt to change it.
Synopsis
In the confines of an isolated artist’s studio, fashion designers compete on the catwalk wearing clothes they design from scratch to earn a membership among the audience. The rejection of the clothes is conveyed by the elite audience through the splattering of tomatoes onto the designers as they debut them. Walking the catwalk clean means that a designer's creation becomes the new trend among the elite. Helene, a woman in mission, creates costumes inspired by her mother but the audience won't appreciate them. Her misery hits a breaking point after she finds out that the latest audience member who instigated her rejection is a former member of the studio. Someone she once called a sister and steals her costumes for her new collection after winning the competition. Although Helene realises that she is trapped and she organizes a revolution to escape from this place, having a "brother" by her side, the idea of two people being muzzled becomes the next trend surprisingly.
*MEET OUR CREW*
MARIA MICHAEL
WRITER / DIRECTOR
Maria Michael is a film director born in Cyprus. She studied Political Sciences at the University of Cyprus, acting at Athens Conservatoire Drama School and MA Directing at Met Film School London. "My intention is to connect the audience with the characters emotionally and make you think why are you laughing while are you watching this film. " Since 2019, Maria produced and directed short films, music video clips, commercial campaigns and theatrical performances in New York City, London, and Athens. In 2020, Maria directed her first short film "The Pulse Within Us", which has screened in several international film festivals, and since 2022, it is distributed by Amazon Prime in USA and UK. In 2021, Maria was awarded “Best New Film Director” at “Athens Marathon Film Festival” where her film competed amongst other international films from around the world. Since 2021, Maria has been a member of the Greek Directors Guild, which is member of the European Federation F.E.R.A and the International Federation M.E.I.
SAMEER BARIA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Sameer Baria is an aspiring cinematographer from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India. With more than five years of industry experience, he is passionate about crafting ethereal visuals that establish a profound emotional connection. "My core objective lies in actualizing the director's vision while intricately fulfilling the essence of the story."
Throughout his artistic journey, Sameer has worked on productions spanning the spectrum, from indie web series to feature films. He has collaborated with multiple esteemed production houses in the commercial realm, executing captivating commercials and music videos. Furthermore, he possesses a mastery of color grading, showcasing a discerning eye for hues and a profound comprehension of visual aesthetics, bringing a distinctive perspective to the post-production process.
Currently, Sameer is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Cinematography at the prestigious MetFilm School in London.
WHERE YOUR DONATION WILL GO:
The most exciting fact is that this film will be shot in the historical Ealing Studios in West London, and it will also give us the opportunity to collaborate with costume designers and other creatives to contribute their own work to the film.
The biggest part of the budget will be allocated to cover the expenses of hiring the locations and the equipment, designing the costumes, the working hours and the materials that costume designers will need, dressing the set and covering the expenses of the art department and tour beautiful cast and the expenses of all the extra actors.
Your contribution, however big or small, not only helps us to bring life to creatives on screen but will allow us to showcase the incredible work of the artists represented in this film to work alongside us, creating the sets, costumes, music and contributing their own original voice.
Thank you for your support.
the Catwalk team.
