Steven Woloshen was born in Montreal, Canada in 1960. For more than 30 years, he has passionately created many award-winning, abstract films and time-based installations for festivals, galleries and museums. He has received numerous research and creation grants and is the author of two books, Recipes for Reconstruction: The Cookbook for the Frugal Filmmaker (2010), a hands-on manual for decay, renewal and other handmade, analogue film techniques, and Scratch, Crackle & Pop! A Whole Grains Approach to Making Films without a Camera (2015). Under his own banner, Scratchatopia, Woloshen has hosted solo retrospectives and taught handmade filmmaking techniques.
Alexandra Grimanis was actively involved in Montreal’s independent filmmaking community for almost 20 years. Her films have played at festivals and curated programs around the world, including the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Kassel Documentary Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, WNDX, Ann Arbor Film Festival and Festival de Cine de Huesca.
questionnaire:
Steven Woloshen
Where were you born, where did you grow up, where do you live now?
I was born in Laval, Quebec. Alex and I now live on the other side of the water in Montreal North.
First film you made, and where and when?
I made my first super-8 films in Laval in the 1970s.
Latest film you made, and where and when?
My last film was the Dead Sea Scrolls. After 10 years, I finally finished it in my workshop in Montreal.
Describe your current living space.
Alex and I bought a house in Montreal North where we can watch the kids grow up.
What Canadian would you challenge to make an isolation movie?
I challenge Guillaume Vallee.
In the history of cinema whose isolation move would you want to see?
For me, Fritz Lang.
Worst thing about being in isolation?
Not doing workshops in Foreign festivals.
Best thing about being in isolation?
Sleep and gardening.
Favourite book to read in isolation?
Better to write one.
Favourite music to listen to in isolation?
Alex and I listen to podcasts.
Favourite movies to watch in isolation?
Academy DVDs.
Favourite meal in isolation?
We love making meals from services like Cook It.
What’s the last best thing you cooked?
Korean BBQ burgers with cucumber / sesame seed salad.
Alexandra Grimanis
Where were you born, where did you grow up, where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Toronto, finished high school living in a converted church in small-town Ontario, and ended up in Montreal in my early 20s (I never left!).
First film you made, and where and when?
I made my first film, a gory, Super-8 claymation film called The Operation, when I was 10 at a weekend art class.
Latest film you made, and where and when?
The last film I made was for a friend with cancer. The film is a letter to her young son.
What Canadian would you challenge to make an isolation movie?
I challenge Louise Bourque.
In the history of cinema whose isolation move would you want to see?
Agnès Varda.
Worst thing about being in isolation?
Grocery shopping.
Best thing about being in isolation?
No traffic!
Favourite book to read in isolation?
I confess I’m addicted to the worldwide stats and details about the virus and its spread.
Favourite music to listen to in isolation?
I’m addicted to podcasts.
Favourite movies to watch in isolation?
Not a movie, but a fabulous escape: RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Favourite meal in isolation?
I’ve been baking up a storm with the kids: challah, pita bread, naan, Japanese milk bread, Dutch baby, cinnamon buns… which brings me to the second-worst thing about isolation: weight gain. Is it just me?
What’s the last best thing you cooked?
The Japanese milk bread was divine.
