At Cinécréatis, end-of-year projects are often an opportunity for students to reveal their artistic sensibilities and technical skills. Hors Cadre is a film directed by Carla Garcia and Yanis Khelifi. This is a mini-short film that promises to be both daring in its form and committed in its message.
Conceived as a collective work, this project brings together a whole team of students united around a common vision. From writing to post-production, including directing, lighting and sound, each stage has been carefully prepared.
The synopsis
Eliot, a young painter driven by his art, dreams of breaking into a world where trends are more important than sincerity. His hopes are dashed when he is turned down at the last minute for an exhibition by more bankable artists.
In a fit of rage, he destroyed the work that was supposed to reveal him, unaware that this radical act would change everything. Freed from the gaze of the institutions, he embarked on a rawer, truer artistic quest.
When a gallery offered him a second chance, Eliot refused. From then on, he had nothing to prove to that world. The street became his canvas, the city his audience. And in this space without rules, his art finally finds its voice.
A narrative project centred on the eye
The title Hors Cadre already suggests a reflection on what escapes our gaze, on the margins, or on what happens outside the image. The synopsis and notes of intent are part of this dynamic: questioning the point of view, questioning the visible and the invisible, and exploring the limits of the cinematographic frame.
This approach is also reflected in the direction. The work of framing, at the heart of the project, is the subject of a specific note of intent, proof of the importance attached to the composition of the image and the way in which this influences the viewer’s perception. In this way, the film seems to play with visual codes in order to subvert them.
Strong artistic direction
One of the strengths of the project lies in its artistic direction. The setting, lighting and decoration bear witness to in-depth aesthetic research. The team took care to define a coherent visual identity, working on moods, textures and light contrasts.
Light, in particular, plays a central role. It is not just a technical tool, but becomes a veritable narrative vector, capable of translating emotions and structuring the space. This attention to visual detail enhances immersion and contributes to the uniqueness of the project.
Rigorous preparation
Beyond the artistic aspect, Hors Cadre stands out for the rigour of its preparation: interior and exterior location scouting, layout plans, technical and sound breakdowns, storyboards, work plans, service sheets and equipment lists.
The organisation carried out by the students demonstrates a real understanding of production issues and an ability to work as part of a team. Every position is identified and every task anticipated, so that filming can begin in optimum conditions.
A collective learning experience
As is often the case with educational projects, Hors Cadre is above all a human adventure. This first mini-short film on location enabled the team of around ten students to learn how to work together, communicate and make collective choices. This dimension is essential, because it reflects the reality of the professional environment.
With Hors Cadre, the students pursue their ambition to defend a demanding cinema, capable of questioning forms and renewing perspectives.
