INTERVIEW WITH BILAL HUSSAIN
Jessica: Part Two
A fully independent social drama
Hi, Bilal! How is it going in Denmark due the COVID-19 situation?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Well it is the same, because of the new strain everything is closed.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
Okey, let’s talk about your film “Jessica: Part Two". Strait question for you, what is the main message of this work, whast are you trying to translate to the viewer through this film?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Well, the main message is for people who have certain disability’s or who are disabled. This problems should not limit you in your desires to do what you want. After the first part the main character doesn’t want to have relationships, because her boyfriend was not able to love Jessica with her certain problems, but life turns another way in the second part of the film…
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
TO NOTICE
Bilal has a certain diease called AAA-Syndrome. Triple syndrome is associated with mutations in the AAAS gene, which codes for a protein known as ALADIN.
The first part of "Jessica” was shot in 2017, but the second one only in 2020. Why did it take you so long to create the second part? And why you decided to split it?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
I analysed that the first part wasn’t good enough, it was too short and I didn’t feel that the story was told completely. That’s why I decided to make the second part, and after “Jessica: Part Two” has won a lot of awards, I thought that I should’ve made a feature film. But now I'm thinking about the third part.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
So, “Jessica” still has a future?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Yes, the second part ends very quickly and it doesn’t feel like a finished story, that’s why I’m working on a new part.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
You mentioned that the first part of the film has certain problems and mistakes. What problems exactly were you talking about?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
TO NOTICE
Director Statement
Jessica: Part Two (2020) was difficult to write because I made many story-telling and character building mistakes in the first film Jessica (2017). Which I have corrected, the cinematography, acting and music is also better i think this time. But let's see what the audience and the jury thinks at the festivals.
First of all we had some editing problems, some of the shots weren’t good enough. There was also some problems with the story, because I didn’t really now where it should start and end. And finally I didn’t feel good about the main character, because after watching the film, we still didn’t now what she likes or doesn’t. So, there was definitely some problems with character buildup.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
In the end, are you satisfied with the second part or you still think you can make it better?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Yes, there are still some things that I could’ve made better, some dialogues and the story are still not ideal. Making films is a learning process, so there is always something that we can do better.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
How you found yourself as a movie director? Where it all started?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
TO NOTICE
Bilal Hussain is an award winning indie filmmaker. Since 2011. he has written, directed & produced eight short films. This year (2021) he celebrated his tenth year anniversary as an indie filmmaker. He is a Pakistani-Canadian citizen, who lives in Esbjerg, Denmark. He works at a local television station "Tv-Glad Esbjerg" as an reporter, anchor & cameraman. Besides work and filmmaking, he has written two crime-fiction books, he has also been a film judge at the "Tokyo Lift-Off Sessions", "Box Short Film Festival" & "Istanbul Kisa Golden Film Festival".
It all started from my school that had certain relationships with a TV station, where I started working and then I thought about cooperating my work and filmmaking. So now I work on my daily job and on weekends or evenings try myself as a filmmaker. All my films are independent and created with help from volunteers.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
What is being an independent filmmaker in Denmark?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Well, if you are a new filmmaker, you have to do everything by yourself. If you have a story behind you, then maybe you will have some help from beside. I think if you want to move forward to the Hollywood, first of all you need a good agent. Because it’s a very hard way to do everything by yourself. Hollywood needs independent filmmakers, because almost all the stories nowadays are really boring, and Hollywood needs fresh ideas in my opinion.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
TO NOTICE
Bilal Hussain is fully an independent filmmaker. All of his works are produced by him. All actors are working for the idea and don't get paid.
As we now, Nadja Dalgaard- your friend and the main actress in “Jessica: Part Two”, has won a lot of awards at different festivals and also became a Honorable Mention at Golden Lemur in “Best Actress” category. What’s so special about Nadja and how did you meet each other?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Yes, as you mentioned she is my friend and we met in media school and now we are working together. We have a very good friendship chemistry. She never acted before, but she was happy to be a part of “Jessica”. I think her acting performance it really growing.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
TO NOTICE
Nadja Dalgaard with Golden Lemur certificate for being a Honorable Mention in "Best Actress" category in November 2021 programme.
What about Nadja’s future? Is she planning to act?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Well, yes! We had a conversation about her future. She is already working in one commercial project and she will also act in third part of “Jessica”. So, yes, she is planning to act.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
Can you tell us about the casting process for “Jessica: Part Two”?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Most of the actors or actresses are from network except the old lady, that plays Jessica’s mother she was a contact I had, so I contacted her a few years ago. Basically, with all actors I have some friendship.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
Two parts of “Jessica” is a romantic drama story. Are you looking forward staying in this genre with your future projects or you will try something new?
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
Now I’m working on a crime fiction film and in future I would like to try myself in a horror movie. So, yes I’m really looking forward to try something new.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
TO NOTICE
A shot from "The Wheelchair And The Trap" directed by Bilal Hussain in 2020
Oh, yes. I really like Tony Scott and his brother Ridley. Sometimes I enjoy watching some of Christopher Nolan works.
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
Thank you for your time Bilal! It was a big pleasure to have an interview with you. We hope that indie filmmakers like you will find their place in cinema and will never stop creating new stories. Bilal, we wish you never stop learning from cinema and finish successfully the “Jessica” story! Thank you for being a part of Golden Lemur!
GLIFF Reprsenter
Journalist
It was a pleasure and it was a, great interview. I work as a reporter as well and the questions were really good. Thank you!
Bilal Hussain
Director, Producer, Writer
PLIFF
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