Berlinale 2024: For here am i sitting in a tin can far above the world (Forum Expanded) | Interview of Gala Hernández López

Her passion for cryptocurrencies, her conception of cinema, her nomination for the French César Awards 2024: we met Spanish filmmaker Gala Hernández López, whose short film just premiered at the 74th Berlinale. Interview.

What do cryptocurrencies and the fascination they hold for certain men have to say about our times? That’s the pitch, so to speak, of the new short film – For here am i sitting in a tin can far above the world – by (young) Spanish filmmaker Gala Hernández López, presented at this year’s Berlinale in the “Forum Expanded” section. For “Film Fest Report”, she talks about what prompted her to take an interest in this theme, but not only that. Interview.

Samuel Chalom: How did you find this interest in cryptocurrencies?

Gala Hernández López: In my previous short film, La mécanique des fluides (Fluid Mechanics), I focused on a male virtual community – the “incels,” men who present themselves as involuntarily celibate and share a common hatred of women. But to give you a precise answer, it comes from a front-page article in the Spanish newspaper “El Pais”. It mentioned the sectarian tendencies of a cryptocurrency academy. I became fascinated by this community. For me, this social phenomenon was a kind of symptom of the current state of the world we live in.

Samuel Chalom: Your movie is really experimental, but at the same time, there is a very clear narration. How did you work to achieve this result?

Gala Hernández López: Indeed, it’s something that’s very close to my heart. Even though I’m constantly on the lookout for new forms and ways of making cinema, I’m still attached to the narrative, to the fact that my films can tell a story. Nevertheless, as a viewer, I also enjoy watching works with less narrative and an even more aesthetic dimension. But in the cinema I make, I want to remain accessible to as many people as possible. Even with very theoretical, complicated subjects, it’s possible to interest the viewer by adding a narrative thread, a character. And that doesn’t mean I can’t offer demanding artistic work. In short, I’m always looking for a balance between experimentation and narrative: I make films to be seen, to communicate, to forge links with others.

Samuel Chalom: Last year, you were a “Talent” at the Berlinale. How do you feel about being selected this year?

Gala Hernández López: That’s great! It shows that the Berlinale is keen to offer continuity to young emerging directors, who are first welcomed as talents and then can continue their journey in selection. There’s a real feeling of being part of a community, of a family. That’s really important for us young filmmakers because cinema is a very tough industry.

Samuel Chalom: Fluid Mechanics is nominated at the French César Awards 2024. The ceremony will take place this Friday. Did it change something for you since you knew it?

Gala Hernández López: This will give the film enormous visibility. Since my nomination, I’ve received a lot of requests, interviews, proposals, projects, artistic collaborations, and so on. It’s enormous! Whether I win or not, I’m already very happy with everything that’s happened to me.