Behind the Scenes on Short Film 'The Banner'

Action sequence in 'The Banner', Tomo Terzano’s second short fiction film

LBB chats with Tomo Terzano and Felipe Yaryura, director and producer of 'The Banner', Tomo’s second short fiction film, one year after the release of 'Schettinimous', the director’s debut at Tribeca Film Festival 2023.

We dived into the process of making 'The Banner' and talked with Tomo and Felipe about their artistic vision and cinematic search as director and producer in this new production led by Mamá Húngara. 

Q> Tell us about the story and how The Banner came about

Tomo> The Banner is inspired by real events. One day my father asked me for a favour to which I reluctantly agreed and somehow we became involved in an action sequence of events in the street in the middle of summer in Buenos Aires. This sequence became the seed for this new film, also becoming a very personal project for me.

Q> As a director-producer, what are the most challenging and/or satisfying elements in making these kinds of projects? 

Tomo> The most complex thing for me as a director is being able to bring the best possible team together to materialise my vision. This is not only the actors, but also the investors, the producers, the technical team and all those who are involved. This is much more complex than the advertising world and requires a lot of patience and perseverance. You need people who are seriously committed to the cause.

Felipe> The biggest challenge in the cinema industry is always to get the finance in place. 'The Banner' is possible thanks to an international collaboration between production companies: Mamá Húngara, Argentinacine, Antiestático, Vitrine Filmes, and Habitant. Communication, patience and trust is key to make this happen. When you see things work out well and materialise in the way you imagined, it is truly satisfying.

Tomás Terzano and Felipe Yaryura during a shooting break in Montserrat, Buenos Aires.

Q> What considerations do you encounter when directing actors in cinema and how was the experience of working with Marcelo Subiotto and such an amazing cast? 

Tomo> All I do is provide a safe place for the actors to play, expose their true self and try new things without feeling judged. I make sure that they are stimulated by what happens in the script and on set, so that they can really throw themselves into it. Having such a great actor, like Marcelo Subbioto, is a pleasure, it makes all our work easier.

Director Tomo Terzano (middle) and main actor Marcelo Subiotto (right) discussing a scene with acting coach Martin Neuburger (left).

Q> What motivates the narrative of your films?

Tomo> The common thread in my narrative are characters who risk a lot for their passions, but then they come to a crossroad that makes them rethink what is really important in life. I also seek to address the issue of truth, I mean blind trust. Do we know what we are really doing in this life? Or do we run without stopping and asking ourselves certain questions because we are afraid to do so?

Q> What role does cinematography play in the construction of your storytelling?

Tomo> It's one of the things that matters most to me. When the camera has a reason to move, a purpose, you then begin to 'write' with the camera. There's always an intention behind it, and that helps create a subtext, which always has an amazing impact on the story. 

Q> What self-determination force drives you both to do short films and what are the different challenges between shooting advertising and cinema?

Tomo> My goal is to make films and that's where I focus most of my energy. I think advertising and cinema are two different animals, they have a lot of things in common and at the same time they aim at completely different things. The world of cinema is much more complex because you have to get the funding. It requires a lot of patience and long-term commitment to achieve the result. The opposite happens in advertising, where brands and agencies come to you with projects that require a shorter time framework and you can manage many at the same time.

Felipe> Cinema is a craft where many questions don’t have an immediate answer, so you have to learn to inhabit that process. I love that challenge and it is part of my job. There are many differences between cinema and advertising. The most prominent one is that in cinema the artistic vision is poignant. Because of this, its process is always mysterious, creative and elusive. As creators we must invest a lot of time and effort to achieve that. 

Director Tomo Terzano (left) executive producers Juan Saravia and Felipe Yaryura at Tribeca Festival.

Q> What made you choose Mama Hungara to produce your films?

Tomo> I think it is a mix of good vibes and absolute trust in each of the Mama Hungara team. I look for brave people who thrive on difficult challenges. Making fictional projects is already tough as hell, so the only way to do it is with people who take risks and are able to endure the long road to get the project done.

I also think that Mama Hungara has a unique quality based on thinking outside the box in order to get the job done. They don’t follow the usual rules. The film industry needs to adapt to the speed and needs of the present, and this production house is at the forefront of it, and for me that is key.

Tomo Terzano is a versatile director who combines different disciplines with a strong visual impact and clear voice in his storytelling. His journey through the world of music videos, fashion and visual arts has made him a different director and a ‘risk taker’. His debut short film ‘Schettinimous’ premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. He has worked for the brands Nike, Coca-cola and Logitech among others. In the international market he stands out due to his constant search of unexplored spaces and methods of storytelling.

Felipe Yaryura is a film entrepreneur and a founding partner of Mamá Húngara, a film production company with offices in Argentina and México. Felipe has produced and worked in the film industry for almost ten years. With four feature films and four short films premiered in theatres and international film festivals. He has participated in film markets and festivals such as Cannes, San Sebastián, Sundance, Tribeca, Berlinale, Mar del Plata, Bafici, Ventana Sur, Trieste, BFI London, Montevideo, among others.