Interview: Boys on Film X: The Directors – Fabio Youniss
3 min read
The tenth installment of one of cinema’s most celebrated short film series Boys on Film X is set to be an explosive cinematic exploration of LGBT themes and lifestyles.
Leading up the last months anticipated release, we at Renowned For Sound spoke with some of the directors involved in the release to discuss their films.
In today’s interview we chat to Fabio Youniss, director of A Stable for Disabled Horses.
Florence Hinton-Collyer: How would you pitch your short?
Fabio Youniss: A Stable for Disabled Horses is about awkwardness, love and friendship. When Kanoute (24) decides to move back to Norway his best friend Benny throws him a surprise party. It soon becomes apparent that Benny has a secret; their friendship might not survive his confession but he has to get off his chest before Kanoute leaves for good.
FHC: What do you hope for the audience to take away from having watched your film?
FY: I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that life can change in one moment. Sometimes one look, one word or even one glance can change everything. In ASFDH I wanted to tell the story of how two lonely, unhappy people can find contentedness through acceptance. If the audience believe the world I’ve created and feel for the characters then it’s so much easier to take the audience on a journey. I try and walk the fine line between comedy and drama; the audience will be absorbed in the drama unfolding and then a moment later they will flip to laughter but the most important thing is that both the drama and the comedy have to be believable.
FHC: Why did you choose to depict this particular narrative?
FY: I’ve always loved films that are set in one room, like Abigail’s Party. The idea that you can deal with universal subject in such a closed space. Also I wanted to make a film that makes the audience feel as if they are the third person in the room, this makes it hard to watch at times.
FHC: How does A Stable for Disabled Horses challenge boundaries?
FY: I wanted to make a gay themed film that was accessible to LGTB festivals and straight festivals, I didn’t want it to be exclusively for one type of audience. As a result ASFDH is all about story, character and emotion, these things are universal. After screenings I have had straight and gay people approach me and say they see themselves in the lead character, despite their sexuality.
FHC: The idea of being lost is a prominent theme throughout the film, do you think it’s necessary to be lost at times?
One of the things I love about cinema is its ability to expose the darker side of the human condition. Sometimes films can make you understand something about your self that you have never been able to put in to words, that may be dealing with emotions or personality or life itself. It’s our job as filmmakers to question these things and although we might not always have the answers, just asking the question can be enough some times.
FHC: What’s next for Fabio Youniss?
FB: I have written a feature film based on the two lead characters from ASFDH , but on a much bigger scale . It’s set after an apocalypse; they are the two last men on earth. It’s been my dream to make a feature film for a long time; it’s taken me around 6 years to get the script together and now feels like the right time to get it out there. I want to make it for a micro budget in Wales 2014/2015, so it there’s anyone out there who can help please get in contact.
