Snow, Sound, and Soul: Sergei Vasilev on 'Absence of Mind'

Welcome Sergei, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.

Who is Sergei Vasilev and how did the passion for creating begin? 

I am a Russian immigrant currently living in Canada. I don’t have a romantic backstory about how I got to where I am today. I’ve always loved films and used to beg my grandma for more VHS cassettes when I was in kindergarten. However, I don’t remember ever dreaming or planning to become a filmmaker. Growing older my taste for films expanded, I began thinking more about it, although after high school I still ended up in economics university. I clearly remember the turning point when I became certain that this is what I want to do in the future. It was after watching “Parasite” in 2019. I wasn’t following the festivals back then, so I didn’t know anything about the film I went to. And after I had seen it, something had already changed in me. After that I decided that at least I will begin studying filmmaking, going deeper, watching more complex stuff.

Gradually, when I was learning more about filmmaking theory I began watching films from the filmmaker’s point of view, sort of like, how they are doing it and why it’s working? That was and still is my best film school.  

Can you tell us about your previous work ?
 I am just starting out in filmmaking. My previous work was my first short film, made by just two people—my wife and me, along with a robot vacuum! I created it when I was just learning how to edit. It was meant as a practice project. You can find it on YouTube: a black-and-white short film called "Hello" by Sergei Vasilev.  

"Absence of Mind" feels like a meditative reflection on the struggles of living in a modern, disillusioned world. What inspired you to explore such a bleak, yet profound, theme in this film? Was there a specific event or moment that triggered this idea?

Oh yes, absolutely. Everything that has happened since February 24, 2022, when Russia unleashed hell upon itself and millions of people worldwide with its fascist, genocidal attempt to occupy Ukraine, deeply impacted me. Now, at the end of 2024, things are even worse, with no end in sight. I think it’s less a film than my private spit to the face of those who began it, who is supporting it and to those who’s in power but not doing anything to stop it, only mollifying the aggressor.

CONVERSATION ABOUT: "Absence of Mind"

There’s an intriguing tension between nature—represented by the snow and the urban grey outdoors —and the inner turmoil of the protagonist. How do these external elements mirror or conflict with her emotional state? 

I live in Ottawa, which is also where I shoot my films. I love neighborhoods with urban vibes. Winters here are often grey, and I think that fits well with the depressed state of the lead character. The weather and time of day in the film change depending on the character’s state of mind.

 You mix genres—rock and classical music—which aren’t typically combined. Did you face any challenges when integrating these two styles, and how did they help in reflecting the protagonist's inner chaos?

  I decided to use classical music in the film during the pre-production stage. The rock piece playing on the car radio, however, was chosen while editing the scene, as I was trying to intensify the moment. I love classical music as well as rock, pop, rap, or any other genre of great music. Mixing different styles and genres isn’t a challenge for me—I actually enjoy doing it and not only with music. 

The film’s pacing is deliberately slow, encouraging the viewer to sit with the protagonist’s emotions. Were you ever tempted to speed up certain parts, or did the pacing always feel essential to conveying her mental state?

I didn’t deliberately choose the pacing for the film; it just felt natural for that kind of story. The story is simple—it’s about finding humility with yourself and the world you live in, and that process takes time. So I never felt the need to speed things up.

What is the central message or feeling you want audiences to walk away with after watching your work ?

Keep living. Yes, the world right now is a shitty, cruel and unfair place to live in, and it seems like evil forces are prevailing but it all might change if you won’t give up and keep going.

In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore ?

For my next project, I want to try something completely different. I’d like to explore the horror or thriller genre. I think it’s an interesting challenge to create something truly scary without relying on terrifying makeup or jump scares.

Can you tease any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your future works?

  Just recently, I made a new short film, "When the Motherland Is Knocking at Your Door," which is about people who, out of fear or conformism, surrender themselves to an aggressive and manipulative dictatorship. They become part of the regime, relinquishing their freedom and rights, even the rights to their own lives and the lives of their children. It will be screened at the Ottawa Filmmakers' Festival – Digi60 on December 7th, 2024.  

This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artist, Sergei Vasilev. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.