Q&A with Anna-Ester Volozh
How did this film come together?
This animated short is adapted from L.M. Montgomery’s story. The moment I read it, I felt compelled—drawn to the tension between the storyteller’s judgment of the protagonist and my own deep sympathy for her. This contrast became the heart of the film. Through direction, voice, artistic design, and music, we worked to maintain a delicate balance—allowing the condemnation of the protagonist to coexist with an underlying sense of compassion for her plight. Pik Sen Lim’s incredible gravitas lends weight to the narration, while Emile Gignoux’s stunning visuals subtly shape perspective. The score, composed by my longtime collaborator Ros Gilman, enhances this tension, guiding the emotional experience. My hope is that the final result stirs something in viewers, inviting them to engage with the story in their own way.
Did anything unexpected happen as you were making this film?
This is animation, things were chill :)
What's the best filmmaking advice you've ever received?
Francis Glebas in his 'Directing the Story' points out that what a director actually directs is the viewer's attention. Things became very clear to me after I understood this.
Elling Lien
