Sometimes, the COVID’s quarantine can help to boost creativity. Here’s a pure example of how filmmaker Jennifer Zhang has utilized her quarantine to produce an award-winning feature, shot (and edited) entirely on iPhone 8 Plus. Charon was shot in one location, with zero budget, and one camera (iPhone).
Charon: A mobile-shot feature
Filmmaker Jennifer Zhang’s mobile-shot feature Charon has been nominated on numerous film festivals and won at IndieFEST Film Awards, International Independent Film Awards, and International Mobil Film Festival. The film was shot during her Coronavirus quarantine, entirely on iPhone 8 Plus. Charon follows a notorious hacker under house arrest whose boyfriend on the outside begins calling her with odd and dangerous requests. As his on-camera demands become increasingly dark and perverse, Charon’s existence hinges on her ability to unravel the mystery, all while trapped in her apartment.
Watch the trailer below:
Shooting in isolation with no tools
This is how Zhang describes the project: “When ‘lockdown’ began and the fate of her other projects in development and production became uncertain overnight, filmmaker Jennifer Zhang decided to issue herself a challenge: Was it possible to make a compelling feature film, entirely confined to her apartment, using only what was already locked inside with her at the start of quarantine? Charon, the deeply personal film that was a result of the experiment, was filmed and edited entirely on an iPhone 8 Plus, completely in one location, with no budget. Zhang held herself to these strict, self-imposed rules: no leaving the apartment. No purchasing extra equipment or software. No leaning on the additional crew”. Her co-star (Eric Radic via Skype) and collaborators had to make their contributions to the project remotely. Marc Morisseau, who self-quarantined before shooting his role in the apartment, is also in the cast. Korean-American mixer/composer Diana Cha composed the score.
Closing a deal in Cannes
Avatar Entertainment which is a boutique foreign sales agent and production company working with independent filmmakers around the world has taken foreign sales rights on Charon and will be shopping the film this week in Cannes. “Shooting in isolation for days and days, I noticed that what I was capturing was really uncomfortable, manic, and a lot of times unflattering — which actually motivated me to keep going because it was so unexpectedly honest,” commented Zhang to Deadline. “Even though Charon is strange fiction, I started seeing it as a real-time reflection of how I was struggling, and how a lot of people out there must have been struggling in quarantine. I think that’s why it’s resonating with people: because there’s a relatable emotional truth that runs through it, despite the premise being somewhat bizarre” she added.
Final thoughts
Charon can be used as a solid example for filmmakers to sharpen out the meaning of “Go out and shoot something great”. Although there was no “OUT” due to COVID restrictions, you get the idea. 2020 was a very tough year for filmmakers. Nevertheless, when life gives you a lemon, make a lemonade. And indeed, Zhang made a pretty tasty lemonade. “The hope (and the gamble) was that the end product would prove that as long as you have a compelling story that you want to share with the world, you may already have everything you need to do it (lockdown be damned!)” Zhang said.
What are your insights about Charon? Have you thought about making a film during quarantine time? Feel free to comment below.
