Ryan Henry Knight’s “Ludere” is a spare but potent meditation on grief about two estranged sisters in the aftermath of a tragedy. We asked Knight how the project came to be, achieving his haunting atmosphere, and what comes next for him…

1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

My name is Ryan and I was born February 4, 2000 in Alexandria Virginia. I just finished my first year at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which was amazing. I’ve been making films and videos for as long as I can remember; thanks to my mother who one day, when I was 5 or 6, introduced me to stop-motion animation and then put me in a short film class at the Workhouse Arts Center (where I am now a film instructor). Since then, I’ve dabbled in plenty of other artistic mediums. I even launched a magazine and creative platform centered around the arts back when I was 15. I also had a clothing brand, sold clothes in Urban Outfitters, and held a music and arts festival. I guess it wasn’t until I was 17 where I truly realized that filmmaking was what I’ve always wanted to do and was meant to do. Since then, I’ve directed my first feature film, some fashion films, music videos, founded a production company, and worked on an array projects. And now, I’m just working on excelling in my craft and telling stories.

2) What was the inspiration for this project - what was the first element that came to you - an image, a character, a story or tone - and how did you go about building up from there?

Ludere was actually my final film project for my winter quarter during my first year at SCAD. At the beginning of it all, when my professor first told us our final was a short film between 5-7 minutes, my whole brain shut down because at this point in my life, I had 2 other films I was working on back at home, and 1 that I was finishing up the screenplay for. Although I am passionate about my art, and should expect a project like this, I was still stumped because of the pressure of the due date that I needed to have my script (which was in 14 days). I’m not one who enjoys “rushing” a script. I don’t know any writer that is. Writing is a release for me, and I prefer to take my time with telling my stories, no matter how long or short they are going to be. My biggest fear is to create something that is surface-level and does not carry any weight or purpose with it — but I’m also not one to back down from a challenge.

So with that being said, I had absolutely nothing until those final 5 days before the due date for the script. It came to the point where I needed a story and a script, or else I was failing the class. All I had at this point was the shell of what Ludere would eventually become. I was thinking so hard, that I was missing what was right in front of me: myself. I took everything happening in my life at that point in time and laid it out on the table. One morning, I sat in my bed in my dorm, and I began wrapping my head around myself and reflecting on those around me. It didn’t take too long for me to realize the story I wanted to tell. 

This project started with me not knowing how to describe how I was feeling at a certain point in time. I felt like I was at the brink of losing someone, and I didn’t know where to go. I felt like I was living a nightmare, and I wanted to tell that story somehow. And then came the image, the story, and I built the characters from all three of those factors, including myself. The dark, unsettling tone for the film was something I knew I was going to implement, I just needed the right set location to fully bring it into fruition; and that ultimately came as well. 

My project was due on Monday, and Ludere was in production the Friday-Sunday before. The rubric said my film had to be between 5-7 minutes. I turned in a 20 minute first cut of the film. I got an 88.

3) You achieve a haunting atmosphere with this piece - I’m curious to hear more about how you conceptualized and executed your tone. Were there moments that weren’t quite working they way you envisioned, and what did you do to get back on track? 

I want this film to feel like an obscure dream. You know those dreams you have that feel like they could’ve actually happened, and when you wake up, you’re kind of in a daze like you’ve just experienced whatever happened in that dream? Then a few minutes later, you’re fully awake and realize ‘Oh, that was just a dream. Phew.’ That’s what I want this to feel like. The story that I’m telling in Ludere is based on a truth that I, and many other people, have experienced, or at least felt like they’ve experienced. That feeling of losing someone, and then going down the road of trying to find a reason for their loss, and ultimately blaming yourself is like a nightmare that you want to escape. But the thing about reality is that you can’t escape it. I wanted the atmosphere and tone to exemplify this. The slow-burn tension, and keeping the film’s coverage limited to around 3-4 shots helped push this further, allowing us to feel as if we are trapped in this world with these characters. Additionally, I wanted the film to be visually and aesthetically pleasing to showcase the ‘beauty in the struggle,’ if you will. It’s heart wrenching.

The biggest challenge in regard to setting the right tone and building the right atmosphere had to do with the performances I got out of the actresses. Camara Bomani and Kayla Dixon, both very talented actresses, did so well in portraying the characters (Sharon and Imani) on screen. I wanted these characters to seem slightly deadpan, lost and out of touch with reality, until they had to confront their losses. There are so many layers to these two characters that we don’t see on screen. The script — although it still didn’t contain much backstory for the characters — was much heftier and included things that weren’t able to make it to the screen, but I think that kind of worked in my favor in the end.

4) There’s a lot of mystery in the film - it’s more about a feeling than a clear narrative story. I’d be interested in hearing you talk more about what this film meant to you in general - what you wanted to say with it, or how you wanted people to feel after watching.

Yes! I definitely wanted to portray a feeling and an experience alongside the narrative. One thing that made me fall in love with filmmaking and visual art is how you can capture an emotion through images. Sometimes we feel things that we can’t quite explain, but in this art form, you can show it. I think that’s so powerful.

In Latin, “ludere” simply means ‘to play.’ Out of all things that this film could’ve been called, ‘to play’ felt right to me. In my film, there are so many things that are being played with, such as emotions, death, and the strength of a relationship. There are so many ways this title can be interpreted. This is a film about loss and everything that comes with it; specifically guilt. So I guess it’s more of a film about the feeling of guilt, and how such a sensation can affect a person. I want people who have felt the emotions portrayed in this film to say “That’s exactly what this feels like. Someone else understands.” And not only that but — I just want people to talk about it. I want to create a dialogue not only about the mentality of those who are suicidal, but the people who are around them; the loved ones who are left to feel the dreaded aftermath of it all. What do they say to their lost loved ones? Who is to blame? Is there anyone to blame? And these are just questions that I ask myself, so I’m curious to hear what people have to say.

5) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

On a flight a few weeks ago, I watched David Lynch’s Elephant Man for the first time. It was a film I’ve been meaning to watch for years but never got around to it for some reason. Needless to say, I absolutely loved it, as I have with every Lynch film I’ve seen. Elephant Man speaks to me because it reminds me deeply of the story of Frankenstein’s monster. I love stories that showcase the journey an outcast character in society. 

Bonus Question: What’s next for you?

Right now I’m in an intense festival run, so I’m excited to see where that goes. So far, so good, I can say that! But I’m also currently writing my next feature. I’ve also got a few short screenplays under my belt. I’ve been producing a few of my fellow label-mates’ films and directing music videos, as well. I’m just excited for the future and to tell more stories.

Contact Info: 

IG and Twitter: @ryanhenryknight