Five Inspirations is a series in which we ask directors to share five things that shaped and informed their film. Dea Kulumbegashvili's Beginning is showing exclusively on MUBI in many countries starting January 29, 2021.
Above: Beginning
INSPIRATION #1
For the soundscape for the film: While working on a film I was mentally and emotionally returning to the painting of Hans Holbein the Younger's The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb.
What would we hear if this painting had sound? What are the sounds of the exterior world that come inside the tomb and what is the texture of the “silence” inside the tomb? With the sound designer of the film, Séverin Favriau, I first shared this image as the starting point for creating the soundscape for the film…
…and the birds that came to drink water every evening to the well next to the editing room in Mexico. Those birds inspired the soundscape of one of the central scenes in the film.
INSPIRATION #2
Francis Bacon, with everything he has created…
And for this film, specifically, the many studies he did for the portraits.
INSPIRATION #3
Tours at Dia:Beacon.
Work by Michael Heizer.
North, East, South, West as a reference for the sonic experience.
INSPIRATION #4
This portrait of my grandmother that I took maybe 10 years ago.
I recreated it as one of the shots in the film but in the film, it is my mother’s portrait…
INSPIRATION #5
Landscapes and the interiors around the area where I grew up and where the film was shot. I do travel in the area a lot and usually take pictures with my phone. I have thousands of photos and can’t decide to delete even one—every time I look at those photos I discover new details and every detail is important. Colors in the interiors and colors of the nature guided me in creating the color palette while making the film.
