A one-on-one basketball game between two friends provides the backdrop for an exploration of life in director Serville Poblete’s short King’s Court. We posed our Qs à la mode to Serville, and here’s what he shared!
If I had to describe my film using only three adjectives, they would be: Loving, youthful and magical.
I wanted to make this film because: I wanted to remind people of the kid inside all of us, and to offer something that makes young boys feel seen, heard and loved. It’s a film I wish I had seen when I was younger and navigating boyhood.
The thing that surprised me most while making my film was: How beautiful life is. We often chase big, cinematic moments, but it’s the small, everyday ones that stay with us and make a film feel truly alive.
My favourite moment/scene/sequence in my film is: When Marley and SK are chatting in the room. It’s tender and honest, just two friends being vulnerable with each other. It felt refreshing.
My most invaluable piece of doc-making equipment was/is: A trusty handheld recorder and the ability to really listen and observe. Life is wild and funny, and there are so many entertaining people out there with stories you couldn’t make up. If you pay attention, they’ll tell you things that are stranger and more beautiful than fiction, and you’ll want that recorder so you won’t forget — because you’ll either be crying or laughing. Of course, always make sure to get their consent before hitting record.
My must-have snack to get me through hours in the editing room is: Coffee and a litre of water with a teaspoon of French grey sea salt. Keeps me going and grounded.
One piece of documentary-filmmaking advice I’d like to share with aspiring documentarians is: Don’t feel like time is wasted when you’re not constantly producing. Your life experiences, wins and losses, laughter and frustration, they all add depth to your perspective. That’s where the most interesting stories come from; and then, when your time is here, you’ll be ready.
Want to check out Serville’s film, or just learn more about it?
Get the scoop, and your tickets, here!
