Edward Has A Tree Inside Him

1. What was one of the most challenging moments you faced while making Edward Has A Tree Inside Him? Did this ‘setback’ change the direction of the final story?

The biggest setback we faced was multiple COVID illnesses during the first stage of shooting. The rescheduling that followed meant several actors were no longer available, not only due to COVID but also because of other scheduling conflicts. To overcome this, I rewrote characters to suit the new casting, reshaping the story to allow everyone to shine. While it was a challenge, it ultimately pushed the film in new directions that added depth and freshness to the final piece.

2. What was the biggest inspiration behind Edward Has A Tree Inside Him?

The tone, aesthetics, and story were inspired by films such as A Ghost Story, Melancholia, and The Shape of Water. On a practical and creative level, I was influenced by Robert Rodriguez’s Rebel Without a Crew and the Dogme 95 movement. The project was designed as an experiment in how a film could be made when one person takes on all of the lead creative crew roles. I have enormous gratitude for the crew who supported such a stressful and indulgent endeavour.

3. What message do you want the audience to take away from Edward Has A Tree Inside Him?

I didn’t set out to deliver a singular message. The story grew out of entering my thirties, with the two main characters representing the death of one’s twenties and the transition toward the aging experience of one’s forties. If audiences walk away reflecting on aging, change, or even just thinking about the story at all, I consider that a success.