Roaring Whispers
The retrospective look into the journey of the artist, Xavier Alvarado
Directed by Quenne Eric
Interview by Tatev Avetisyan
Introducing Roaring Whispers, a visually captivating and artistically charged work by director Quenne Eric. This documentary explores the struggle of mixed media artist Xavier Alvarado, who, driven by the desire to reconcile his inner fire with societal expectations, invites the audience to observe his journey and self-expressive works. Pulling memories from his childhood and assembling it on plain canvas, Quenne Eric creates a vivid documentary of an artist. Rumour has it - the film might turn into a bigger project.
In a conversation with Curation Hour, the director and artist provide an illuminating glimpse into their intimate collaboration, sharing insights into the creative process and the technical aspects of the film's production.
Why did you decide to pick up a camera? What inspired you to pursue a career in filmmaking?
Quenne: I decided to pick up a camera because I fell in love with it at an early age. There was something magical about capturing images. I have always been drawn to movies and their power to transport us to different worlds and evoke emotions. One of my fondest memories is of the nights my brother and I would spend watching movies together. We would huddle up in front of the television, eagerly waiting for the film to begin. As the story unfolded, we would become completely engrossed, discussing the characters, the plot twists, and the cinematography long after the credits rolled. Those nights sparked a deep passion within me, a desire to be a part of the filmmaking process and create stories that could captivate and move others, just like the films we loved. The camera became my tool to bring those stories to life, capture moments and convey emotions in a visually striking way.
In pursuing a career in filmmaking, I am driven by the belief that storytelling is a powerful medium to connect with people, inspire and entertain. It is not just about the technical aspects of operating a camera, but also about the artistry and creativity behind crafting each shot. I am constantly inspired by the work of visionary filmmakers who have pushed the boundaries of storytelling and have created cinematic experiences that leave a lasting impact. Their dedication and commitment to their craft motivate me to strive for excellence in my work.
Xavier, tell us about your encounter with Quenne.
Xavier: I met him and his wife at an Art pop-up event. Actually, he was previewing a film he had worked on. That was quite dope and I was previewing some art I had been working on. He had strolled by my station and asked me a few questions about my art. We had a brief conversation, and then he sprung the idea of a series he wanted to do on creatives. I was curious, I hadn’t done something like this before, and he didn’t know it at the time, but I needed someone to believe in me, and he did. It was history from there.
Why did you decide to create his short documentary?
Q: We just clicked when we met. We spent hours talking and getting to know each other. We had deep and fun conversations about everything: the future, AI, religion, success and failure… We talked about many things, and I was also amazed by his artistic talents. He was perfect for this short documentary.
The somewhat oxymoronic title Roaring Whispers seems to suggest multiple interpretations; what is the idea behind it, and how did you interpret it through the visuals?
Q: Roaring whispers can suggest multiple interpretations. In the context of Xavier's story, "roaring whispers" represents his inner voice, his passionate and intense emotions, desires, and creative expressions are confined or muted in the adult world. It reflects his longing to express himself freely and boldly, similar to the unrestrained and uninhibited nature of a child's yell or scream. The term captures the artist's struggle to reconcile his inner creative fire with the societal expectations and limitations placed upon him as an adult. Xavier painted a kid who is yelling. By painting “the kid yell”, Xavier aims to channel his childlike creativity and authenticity, unleashing his inner voice through his art. The phrase “roaring whispers” encapsulates Xavier’s endeavour to make his presence known, to convey powerful emotions and messages through his work while navigating the constraints of adulthood and societal norms. It was interpreted by juxtaposing two contrasting elements. On one side, Xavier’s painting of the yelling kid, and on the other side, Xavier quietly sits next to the painting.
“The phrase “roaring whispers” encapsulates Xavier’s endeavour to make his presence known, to convey powerful emotions and messages through his work while navigating the constraints of adulthood and societal norms.”
How was it working with Xavier Alvarado, considering this documentary to be an intimate collaboration of only two creatives? Did this "small" teamwork make the process and delivery flow easily, and did your vision amalgamate naturally?
Q: I think Xavier and I have a lot in common, and we also think alike - so this project being an intimate collaboration of only two creatives worked to our advantage. We would waste the whole time talking during our filming days - we couldn’t stop once a conversation was engaged. However, all that time spent talking allowed the process and delivery to flow easily, and the vision came together naturally.
X: It was the air of genius from the start and, Quenne is a great leader; he is a director who likes to get to know you first. I know that might sound cliché, but before we even talked about shots or camera work. We had conversations about my life, my philosophy, and then my art. All the while sharing his life story as well. We also talked about books we’ve read. It was two students who love to study and work on a project. That is why I said it was an air of genius. Naturally, not only was I philosophical about my artistic vision and how it’s important to the world, he was too. Because of our “small” teamwork, we had to be more specific in our Whys. What we can elaborate on, or cut out, doubling down on the details, which brought forth magic, one of my favourite words.
In certain moments of the film, you employ a freeze-frame technique, reminiscent of capturing a photograph, and incorporate snippets from Xavier's childhood tapes. What is the idea behind this artistic approach?
Q: By employing the freeze-frame technique, I aim to create a sense of contemplation and reflection. It allows the viewers to fully absorb and connect with the emotions and meanings embedded in those specific moments. It is a way to heighten the impact and emphasise the significance of those particular scenes.
The evocative use of colours in Roaring Whispers is particularly noteworthy. Could you shed light on your process of working with colours and how the art selection was determined? Did you find it necessary to make significant adjustments to the raw footage during editing, or did you approach the editing process differently to achieve the desired aesthetic?
Q: The evocative use of colours in Roaring Whispers was a deliberate artistic choice that played a significant role in enhancing the film's overall aesthetic and storytelling. The art selection was determined as the story took shape during the editing process. I explored different palettes, ranging from vibrant and saturated hues to more muted and desaturated tones, to find the perfect balance that would enhance the storytelling and create the desired atmosphere. I wanted the colours to serve as visual cues, subtly guiding the audience through the narrative and eliciting specific emotional responses.
Can you remember any specific challenges you faced while working on this video and how you overcame them?
X: The challenges we faced were only in terms of time and language. Time because we had both busy schedules. Although time was of the essence, Quenne had a calmness about him over the whole project. He knew it was going to be done when it was supposed to. I would say the language was the second challenge because I can use filler words: “likes, & ums”. I have a great message and can communicate it well, but filler words can overshadow the critical points. So we pushed to clean it up through several recordings, making sure we landed our mark.
Are there any future projects or collaborations in the works that you'd like to share?
Q: I am currently writing an experimental short and also have another documentary in pre-production. Xavier invited me to meet his family, and we talked about making a long-format documentary. So, hopefully, we can make that happen, and this is the start of something great!
X: Currently, I have a solo Art exhibition located in Austin Tx, called “The Garden” It touches on the connection between humans and nature through triumphant tales and artworks that evoke reflection. My next solo exhibition will be in October titled - “The Lions Den”.
Director and producer: Quenne Eric Nonde
Key Cast: Xavier Alvarado