Collapsology is a term that refers to the belief that civilisation is destined to collapse. It’s also the title of a fashion film by emerging filmmaker, Daria Geller, for Russian fashion label, Brier. It is the second film by the partners. Their first, a reinterpretation of T.S. Eliot’s famous poem, The Love Song of won J. Alfred Prufrock, won Best Middle Eastern film at Berlin Fashion Film Festival 2017.
Collapsology, the film, is about love and self-sabotage. About anxiety and pressure. It’s a powerful film about people in today’s culture and a clever ad. These two things are not always achieved in a genre where mystery seems to be the overriding and essential principle. Vogue Italy explains, “We are granted a view into the thoughts of a man struggling to come to terms with the expectations others have of him. In an ironic and almost comedic twist, his emotional distress comes to a halt the moment someone compliments his coat – a simple gesture capable of putting things into perspective and a way to return our focus back onto Brier’s designs.”
Fashion film and festival PR consultant, Niccolo Montanari, interviewed Geller for The Stable:
Niccolo Monanari: Collapsology is the latest fashion film you shot for Russian brand, Brier. Both films address relationships, and specifically the thoughts, anxieties and fears of a man. How did you decide on this topic?
Daria Geller: First of all, every photo session and every story to do with Brier is about a woman, as well as a man. As the designer gave me absolute freedom, I wanted to tell the stories that Brier inspired me to explore. There’s a special atmosphere and almost melancholic feeling about Brier – that’s what I wanted to portray with my films.
NM: What were some of the biggest production challenges you had to face with Collapsology?
DG: Editing was definitely the biggest challenge. I’m comfortable knowing how and what to shoot. In the editing stage, you really have to be careful to make sure you are still conveying the message you had in mind when you are shooting. I wanted that message to be easily understood by the viewer.
NM: Your work doesn’t just involve fashion. You’ve done extensive work with documentaries, commercials and music too with the likes of Clean Bandit. Where does your heart lie?
DG: I like working on different things. It keeps me interested and I need the challenge. It forces me to understand and work with the different ways and levels in order to convey a specific message to the viewer. But I’d definitely like to be making more films. Short, features and documentaries – when it comes down it, I just love telling stories.
NM: What has been your experience as a woman working in the film industry? Would you say we are moving toward the same opportunities being offered to women and men?
DG: Definitely! The film industry is being more and more open about it, and within cinematography I feel we are moving towards more equal terms. To be honest though, I still don’t meet that many women directors, but I do hear about and meet a lot of amazing female DoPs – it feels like people are finally over having all those stereotypical talks about whether women can be DoPs. Also, this year is the first time a woman was nominated at the Oscars for Best Cinematography. It’s still going to take some time, but we are getting there. At least within the film industry.
Here is Geller’s first film for Brier:
View Geller’s work here.
