SAVO CUBRILOVIC & SARAH TIMM INTERVIEW, DIRECTOR DUO OF 'A SPECIAL BREAKFAST'

​5-TIME NOMINEE BEST SHORT FILM BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM, BEST SCI-FI, BEST CGI & VFX, BEST ORIGINAL CONCEPT

"A Special Breakfast," the latest film from director duo Savo Cubrilovic and Sarah Timm, is a compelling and immersive exploration of the line between reality and the spiritual world. Nominated for five awards at the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival, the film has been recognized for its experimental, sci-fi, and CGI elements, as well as its original concept. We sat down with Savo and Sarah to discuss their inspiration, challenges faced during production, and the scenes they found particularly powerful.

What inspired you to make this film? Can you share a little about the genesis of the idea?

Savo shared that the idea for the film came to him while getting rolls for breakfast one morning. As a car passed him closely, he wondered what would have happened if he'd been run over and not realized his demise. This led to the development of a story surrounding the concept of what happens after death. Additionally, the duo's interest in near-death experiences and reports from those who have experienced them served as inspiration.

Can you share some of the challenges you faced during the production of this film? How did you overcome them?

The tight budget and lack of a professional crew were the main challenges faced during production. Savo and Sarah took on multiple roles, including acting, directing, producing, and more. The final day of shooting, which involved a car scene, was particularly difficult, as they had to start at 5 am to ensure a clear road and favorable sun position. Despite the challenges, the team persevered and completed the project.

Your film has been described as "powerful" and “innovative”. What do you believe gives it this quality? Was this something you consciously worked towards?

When asked about the film's "powerful" and "innovative" qualities, Savo and Sarah shared their intention to shift the viewers' perspective from the mundane to the spiritual. They wanted to engage the audience's senses, entertain them, and build suspense while addressing the universal topic of what awaits us after death. This unique interaction is what they believe gives the film its distinct qualities.

Can you discuss some of your influences as a filmmaker? How have they shaped this film?

Savo and Sarah cited directors of photography Conrad Hall and Roger Deakins as influences for their strong visual language and poetic imagery. While they acknowledge that their budget constraints prevent them from achieving a similar quality, they still draw inspiration from these filmmakers.

Are there any specific scenes in the film that you find particularly powerful? Why? We think we know which one you’re going to mention!

Two scenes stand out as particularly powerful for the directors. The first is when Katja briefly loses herself and risks becoming a lost soul trapped in a dimension of empty souls. The visuals, sound design, and overlays in editing make the scene surreal and memorable. The second scene is the film's ending, where the surreal color grading and score by Gary Marlowe create a poetic and striking conclusion.

"A Special Breakfast" is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of the boundaries between life, death, and the spiritual world. With their innovative approach and dedication to engaging the viewer on multiple levels, directors Savo Cubrilovic and Sarah Timm have created a film that leaves a lasting impression.